An Effectiveness and Safety Study of CONCERTA* Vs. Immediate Release Methylphenidate (IR MPH) in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Children

Condition(s) targeted: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Intervention: OROS*-Methylphenidate (Drug)

Phase: Phase 3

Status: Active, not recruiting

Sponsored by: Janssen-Ortho Inc., Canada

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Janssen-Ortho Inc. Clinical Trial, Study Director, Affiliation: Janssen-Ortho Inc., Canada

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of OROS*methylphenidate/CONCERTA* vs. immediate release methylphenidate as a treatment for ADHD specifically for those children who have behavioural difficulties in the afternoon/after-school and evening periods.

Official title: The Effectiveness of CONCERTA® Vs. Usual Clinical Care With Immediate Release Methylphenidate (IR MPH) in Children (6-12 Years) With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Randomized, Open-Label Trial

Study design: Treatment, Randomized, Open Label, Active Control, Parallel Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study

Primary outcome: Change in average SNAP-IV(Swanson, Nolan and Pelham -IV) score from baseline at end of study and the remission of symptoms between groups, defined as an average SNAP-IV score of <=1 at end of study

Secondary outcome: changes at end of study for Parenting Stress Index, Conners Parent Rating Scale, IOWA Conners Parent Rating Scale, Visual Analogue Scale for homework and social play, Resource Use Questionnaire, parent satisfaction, Clinical Global Impression

Detailed description: Methylphenidate, namely immediate release methylphenidate is the primary stimulant used in the treatment of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Immediate release methylphenidate has limitations related to its time course of action. As the morning dose wears off, inattention may increase during late-morning classes. Similarly, when the midday dose is wearing off, the child may experience difficulty concentrating on homework. The second problem relates to compliance with midday and late afternoon dosing. Children feel stigmatized or embarrassed by trips to the nurse's office for medication and may skip doses as a result. In other cases, a school nurse may not be available or policies prohibit staff from administering drugs so children may be required to self-administer drug. CONCERTA® was developed to overcome these limitations. The purpose of this study is to see how effective and safe Concerta* is vs. immediate release methylphenidate in children with ADHD.     

Patients will take either Concerta* (18, 27, 36, or 54 mg) or Immediate Release Methylphenidate tablets (maximum 60mg/day) orally every morning for 8 weeks.

Minimum age: 6 Years. Maximum age: 12 Years. Gender(s): Both.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients must be between 6 and 12 years of age inclusive, have a diagnosis of

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as defined by the DSM-IV established through clinical interview by the investigator and corroborated by the SNAP-IV parent rating scale, who in the opinion of the parents/caregivers exhibit significant after-school/evening behavioural difficulties where 12 hour coverage is desired

- Eligible patients will be evaluated after a minimum 3 day washout period without ADHD

medication

- In addition, patients must also have a CGI-Severity score, at baseline of "moderate",

"marked", "severe" or "extremely severe" in order to be eligible

- Patients could have had no prior treatment for ADHD or are presently taking something

or could have had ADHD medication treatment in the past

Exclusion Criteria:

- No patients with marked anxiety, tension, aggression or agitation, glaucoma, an

ongoing seizure disorder, a psychotic disorder, a diagnosis of Tourette's disorder, or a family history of Tourette's disorder, bipolar disorder, suspected mental retardation, significant learning disability, eating disorder or history of one, pre-existing gastrointestinal narrowing

- No patient with inability to swallow the medication whole, those with any unstable

medical illness were excluded

A Randomized, Controlled, Effectiveness Trial of OROS-Methylphenidate compared to Usual Care with Immediate-Release-Methylphenidate in Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder

Click here for results of the study.

Ending date: February 2004
Last updated: April 28, 2006