The authors report on a one-year follow-up of 76 hyperactive boys who
had participated in a comparative study of methylphenidate, imipramine, and
placebo. They found that there was a higher rate of discontinuance of
imipramine than of methylphenidate in this sample and that both medications
decreased the boys' rate of weight gain but had no significant effect on
growth in height. This findings is of concern because larger doses than
were used in this study are in use elsewhere. Teachers reported that the
group of boys who had discontinued either medications showed continued
hyperactivity and behavior problems in the classroom at one year. The two
treatment groups showed continued improvement at one year in classroom and
home behavior and did not suffer significantly from each other.Abstract Teaser