Re: A MHA Pool

LadyLollipop wrote:

<snip>

>
> While giving his child Ritalin, which does NOT show any long term studies.
>

<snip>

*sigh* Another lie by Mrs. Drew. Submitted for your review:

"Paediatr Drugs. 2003;5(12):787-94.

Comment in:
J Sch Nurs. 2004 Jun;20(3):182-3.

Long-term use of stimulants in children with attention deficit
hyperactivity disorder: safety, efficacy, and long-term outcome.

Hechtman L, Greenfield B.

Division of Child Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal Children's
Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. lhechtman@xxxxxxxxxxx

The purpose of this review is to summarize existing data on the
long-term safety and efficacy of stimulant treatment, and how long-term
stimulant treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) affects their outcome. Existing controlled studies of
children with ADHD treated and untreated with stimulants, as well as
long-term prospective follow-up studies, are reviewed. Children with
ADHD treated with stimulants for as long as 2 years continue to benefit
from the treatment, with improvements observed in ADHD symptoms,
comorbid oppositional defiant disorder, and academic and social
functioning, with no significant problems of tolerance or adverse
effects. Long-term, prospective follow-up studies into adulthood show
that stimulant treatment in childhood has slight benefits regarding
social skills and self-esteem. Long-term adverse effects from stimulant
treatment in childhood regarding adult height or future substance abuse
have not been supported by existing studies.

Publication Types:
Review
Review, Tutorial

PMID: 14658920 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]"


I found this reference after an exhaustive, 15 second search on Medline
using the search terms "methylphenidate" and "long term".

Mark, MD

.