The use of aripiprazole as an alternative medication to methylphenidate for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Objective To evaluate efficacy and adverse events of the use of aripiprazole for treatment of pediatric patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Materials and methods Pediatric patients, ages 6-15 years, with ADHD who visited Nakhonsawan Rajanakarindra Psychiatric Hospital during January to July 2010, and had received methylphenidate or had not received any treatment volunteered to receive an alternative medication,
aripiprazole, for a period of 10 weeks. Outcomes were evaluated by using the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham version IV (SNAP-IV), Clinical Global Impression - Severity scale (CGISeverity), and Continuous Performance Test (CPT). Statistical analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and Friedmanûs test.

Results The sample included a total of 29 pediatric patients with ADHD. There were 17 patients who did not receive any treatment at the baseline. Results showed a significantly decrease from baseline in their ADHD symptoms, both inattentive symptoms and hyperactive/
impulsivity symptoms, when receiving aripiprazole. There were 12 patients who used to received methylphenidate before the study. No difference from baseline in their ADHD symptoms were seen when receiving aripiprazole. The commonly observed adverse event was weight gain, and no serious adverse event was observed.

Conclusion Aripiprazole reduced ADHD symptoms in pediatric patients, and can be used as an alternative medication to methylphenidate for controlling their symptoms during 10 weeks without any serious adverse events. However, due to a number of limitations, further studies are warranted to confirm.