Azadeh Soltanifar; Roya Samadi; Mohsen Pasandideh; Naghmeh Mokhber; Fatemeh Moharari; Atefeh Soltanifar
Volume 19, Issue 3 , September and October 2012, , Pages 228-237
Abstract
Background: ADHD is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders in children. Methylphenidate is the most frequent medication prescribed for this disorder, while bupropion is suggested as an alternative for treatment. This research aims to compare the efficacy and safety of bupropion and methylphenidate ...
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Background: ADHD is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders in children. Methylphenidate is the most frequent medication prescribed for this disorder, while bupropion is suggested as an alternative for treatment. This research aims to compare the efficacy and safety of bupropion and methylphenidate (Ritalin) in children with ADHD. Materials and Methods: Forty children with ADHD, aged 6 to 12 years, from consecutive referrals to child psychiatric clinic of Ibn-e-Sina hospital were selected and randomly divided into two categories (treatment with methylphenidate or bupropion). Evaluations were carried out based on ADHD Rating Scale (by teacher and parent) and Global Clinical Scale (by clinician) at the beginning of the study and again after 4 and 8 weeks of the study. Adverse effects were also checked at 4 and 8 weeks. Data was analyzed using SPSS software, version 11.5. Results: Data was normally distributed in the two categories in terms of demographic and quantitative variables. Therapeutic response, in parents’ views, was better in Ritalin group and was significantly different at the end of the 8th week (p=0.014). Ritalin was also more efficacious in teachers’ views, but had no significant advantage (p=0.092). Global clinical scale showed a significant advantage in both categories regarding response to therapy (p=0.014). Therapy was seen efficacious by parents, teachers, and clinician (p
Fatemeh Moharreri; Atefeh Soltanifar; Azadeh Soltanifar
Volume 19, Issue 1 , March and April 2012, , Pages 6-13
Abstract
Background: The core symptoms of autism are abnormalities in social interaction, communication, and behavior. The involvement of 5-HT has been suggested in neuropsychiatric disorders and particularly in autistic disorder.
Material and Methods: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of cyproheptadine, ...
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Background: The core symptoms of autism are abnormalities in social interaction, communication, and behavior. The involvement of 5-HT has been suggested in neuropsychiatric disorders and particularly in autistic disorder.
Material and Methods: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of cyproheptadine, a 5-HT2 antagonist, in the treatment of autistic disorder. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we assessed the effects of cyproheptadine plus risperidone in the treatment of autistic disorder.
: Thirty children between the ages of 3 and 11 years (inclusive) with a DSM-IV-TR clinical diagnosis of autism referred to the child psychiatry clinics at Sheikh and Ebn-e Sina hospitals, Mashhad, were recruited. The children presented with severely disruptive symptoms related to autistic disorder. Patients were randomly allocated to cyproheptadine + risperidone (Group A; 15 patients) and risperidone + placebo (Group B; 15 patients) for an 8-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The doses of risperidone and cyproheptadine were titrated up to 2 mg/day and 0.2 mg/kg/day, respectively. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of starting medications.
Results: The Childhood Autism Rating Scale scores after 4 and 8 weeks were 40.26±2.9 and 38.56±2.38 in group A and 40.2±3.31 and 37.73±2.59 in group B, respectively. The scores improved in both groups, but the difference between them was not significant (F=0.029, d.f= 1, p=0.867).
Conclusion: The results suggest that the combination of cyproheptadine with risperidone is not more effective than risperidone alone. However, the results need confirmation by a larger randomized controlled trial.