Friday, November 9, 2007

ADHD Medication Doesn't Work on Some Preschoolers - Children May Not Respond If They Have Other Disorders

Children diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may not respond to methylphenidate, otherwise known as brand name Ritalin, if the child suffers from other behavioral and social disorders. The number of coexisting conditions can diminish the effectiveness of the medication, according to a new look at a study from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

The Preschoolers with ADHD Treatment Study (PATS) was released last October, and showed that young children between the ages of 3 and 5 who were diagnosed with ADHD responded well to doses of methylphenidate. However, a new article published in the latest issue of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology reports that the effectiveness of methylphenidate lessens if the child has other disorders, such as anxiety disorders, conduct disorder, and/or oppositional defiant disorder.

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