Table 1 Clinical characteristics of ADHD pharmacotherapies

Blocks DA reuptake transporter, amplifies DA response duration, disinhibits D2 receptor, inhibits NE re-uptake

Immediate release

0.92 (0.80, 1.05)

Decreased appetite, insomnia, abdominal pain, headache dizziness, reduced weight gain, affective symptoms

Osmotic release

0.90 (0.76, 1.05)

Decreased appetite, abdominal pain, headache

Extended release

0.85 (0.65, 1.05)

Decreased appetite, headache, abdominal pain

Long-acting

0.96 (0.75, 1.16)

Headache, insomnia, upper abdominal pain, decreased appetite, anorexia

Transdermal patch

Not available

Appetite, nausea, vomiting, insomnia

Dexmethylphenidate

0.76 (0.45, 1.08)

Decreased appetite, headache, abdominal pain, nausea

Increases release of DA and NE into synaptic cleft, decreases reuptake into presynaptic neuron, inhibits catabolism

Immediate release

1.24 (0.88, 1.60)

Decreased appetite, insomnia

Extended release

1.13 (0.57, 1.69)

Palpitations, tremor, insomnia, decreased appetite, headache, dizziness, dry mouth, weight loss, abdominal symptoms

Prodrug

1.52 (1.34, 1.71)

Decreased appetite, headache, insomnia, abdominal pain, irritability

Increases release of DA and NE into synaptic cleft, decreases reuptake into presynaptic neuron, inhibits catabolism

Immediate release

1.34 (0.95, 1.72)

Decreased appetite, agitation, insomnia

Extended release

0.77 (0.59, 0.94)

Decreased appetite, headache, insomnia

Selectively inhibits synaptic

DA re-uptake

Immediate release

0.63 (0.57, 0.69)

Upper abdominal pain, decreased appetite, vomiting, somnolence, irritability, fatigue

Selective alpha2A adrenergic receptor agonist

Immediate release

Not available

Sedation, insomnia, decreased appetite, dry mouth, constipation

Extended release

0.8 (0.53, 1.07)

Somnolence, fatigue, upper abdominal pain, sedation