Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- . Zahra Khajehpiri 1
- . Javad Mahmoudi-Gharaei 2
- . Toktam Faghihi 1
- . Iman Karimzadeh 3
- . Hossein Khalili 1
- . Mostafa Mohammadi 4
1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry and Psychology Research Centre, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
4 Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Objective: The aim of the current study was to determine various aspects of methylphenidate
adverse reactions in children with attention deficit‑hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Iran.
Methods: During the 6 months period, all children under methylphenidate treatment alone
or along with other agents attending a university‑affiliated psychology clinic were screened
regarding all subjective and objective adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of methylphenidate.
Causality and seriousness of detected ADRs were assessed by relevant World Health
Organization definitions. The Schumock and Thornton questionnaire was used to determine
preventability of ADRs.
Findings: Seventy‑one patients including 25 girls and 46 boys with ADHD under
methylphenidate treatment were enrolled within the study period. All (100%) ADHD
children under methylphenidate treatment developed at least one ADR. Anorexia (74.3%),
irritability (57.1%), and insomnia (47.2%) were the most frequent methylphenidate‑related
adverse reactions. Except for one, all other detected ADRs were determined to be mild. In
addition, no ADR was considered to be preventable and serious.
Conclusion: Our data suggested that although methylphenidate related adverse reactions
were common in children with ADHD, but they were mainly mild and nonserious.
Keywords
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