Methylphenidate and atomoxetine treatment negatively affect physical growth indexes of school-age children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

To determine the effects of drug therapy on the physical growth of school-age children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The medical records of 86 participants (average age: 8.9 ± 2.2 years) with ADHD prescribed methylphenidate (MPH) or atomoxetine (ATX) for ≥24 weeks from the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were analysed. The Z-scores of height, weight and body mass index (BMI) of children with ADHD decreased significantly over the first six months of MPH treatment (P < 0.001). The slopes of the fitting lines after the first six months of MPH (-0.18, -0.58 and -0.69, respectively) returned over the entire treatment (the slopes changed to -0.027, -0.26 and -0.20, respectively). For ATX, the Z-scores of height of children decreased significantly over the first six months (P < 0.001), but the Z-scores of weight and BMI did not (P > 0.05). The slopes of the fitting lines after the first six months of ATX (-0.058, -0.032 and 0.0094, respectively) changed over the entire treatment (slopes were 0.16, 0.52 and 0.26, respectively). Children taking MPH were more likely to report decreased appetite (P < 0.05). The weight and BMI of the children receiving MPH were significantly correlated with decreased appetite (P < 0.01). The physical growth indexes (PGIs) of school-age children and adolescents with ADHD were negatively affected while taking MPH, and these effects were gradually mitigated with continued treatment. ATX hardly had negative effects on weight and BMI. Neither MPH nor ATX had a significant negative effect on the height of children in long-term ADHD treatment. It is necessary for clinicians to consider children's diet during treatment.

Deng L ，Zhou P ，Zhu L ，Zhang Y ，Yang T ，Zhao Q ，Chen J ，Li T ，Cheng Q ，Chen L ... -  《-》

Osmotic Release Oral System Methylphenidate Versus Atomoxetine for the Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Chinese Youth: 8-Week Comparative Efficacy and 1-Year Follow-Up.

Su Y ，Yang L ，Stein MA ，Cao Q ，Wang Y ... -  《-》

Effects of Atomoxetine and Osmotic Release Oral System-Methylphenidate on Executive Functions in Patients with Combined Type Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

Ince Tasdelen B ，Karakaya E ，Oztop DB 《-》

Comparative treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization and costs of atomoxetine and long-acting methylphenidate among children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in Germany.

Greven P ，Sikirica V ，Chen YJ ，Curtice TG ，Makin C ... -  《-》

Comparative efficacy and safety of methylphenidate and atomoxetine for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: Meta-analysis based on head-to-head trials.

Liu Q ，Zhang H ，Fang Q ，Qin L ... -  《-》