Boys and Girls with ADHD Have Different Responses to Methylphenidate

Compared with boys, girls had better responses to MPH at 1.5 hours and an inferior response at 12 hours.

The sex of a patient typically does not enter into a clinician’s decision about the use of a medication. However, ADHD might be a condition in which sex matters: Compared with boys, girls are more likely to have the inattentive type of ADHD, coexisting anxiety, more active and efficient clearance of brain dopamine, and fewer dopamine receptors. To evaluate sex-specific responses to methylphenidate (MPH) among children with ADHD, investigators reanalyzed data from a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study in 184 children (age, 6–12 years) with the disorder (26% female; mean age, 9.5). The study compared two forms of once-daily MPH: Concerta, which provides 12-hour symptom coverage with 22% immediate release, and Metadate CD, which pr…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics