[Switching from a short-acting to a long-acting methylphenidate preparation: a multicentre, open study in children with ADHD].

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a switch in medication to a single daily dose of OROS-Methylphenidate (OROS-MPH, Concerta) in clinically stable children and adolescents with ADHD.

METHODS: A prospective, multi-centre open-label study was carried out for a period of three weeks in 213 patients aged 6-16 years with ADHD who had previously been treated with IR-MPH. Their medication was switched to a single daily dose of OROS-MPH. Primary endpoints were changes in the IOWA Conners Inattention/Overactivity Subscale and the global assessment of efficacy as rated by parents and teachers. The safety of the medication was evaluated by means of recording adverse events. The development of weight, sleep quality, and appetite were also observed.

RESULTS: Switching the medication from IR-MPH to OROS-MPH resulted in a significant positive effect as evidenced by caregivers' ratings of core symptoms. Corresponding ratings by teachers revealed no significant difference from baseline values. The global efficacy was rated by teachers as "good" or "excellent" for 55% of the cases, by caregivers for 79% thereof, and by investigators in 77% of the cases, respectively. The study medication was well tolerated. The most frequent adverse events were headache (8.9%) and rhinopharyngitis (7.0%). No unexpected adverse events occurred.

CONCLUSIONS: Changing patients' medication from IR-MPH to a single daily dose of OROS-MPH resulted in a significant improvement of ADHD symptoms as rated by parents. In a school setting, the efficacy of OROS-MPH was comparable to that of IR-MPH.