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Visual Abstract
Modafinil as a treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in children and adolescents: a double blind, randomized clinical trial
Modafinil vs Ritalin for ADHD in Children
Shahrokh Amiri , Mohammad-Reza Mohammadi, Mohammad Mohammadi, Gholam-Hossein Nouroozinejad, Manijeh Kahbazi, Shahin Akhondzadeh
Summarized by:
May 4, 2023
study source
Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry
Jan 2008
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What they studied
This study wanted to examine whether modafinil, a treatment approved for narcolepsy, could improve ADHD symptoms in children.
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What they found
Modafinil was shown to be similarly effective in reducing ADHD symptoms compared to methylphenidate (Ritalin).
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What this means
These results suggest that modafinil may be a safe and effective treatment option for children with ADHD.
Modafinil as a treatment for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in children and adolescents: a double blind, randomized clinical trial
Objectives
ADHD is one of the most common psychiatric conditions among children. It can make everyday life difficult, particularly when it comes to schoolwork.
ADHD is most commonly treated with stimulant medications such as Adderall and Ritalin.
This study wanted to examine whether modafinil could potentially be used to treat ADHD.
Modafinil is a medication currently approved for narcolepsy to help keep people awake. There is some evidence that it can potentially improve ADHD symptoms.
Because it is quite different than the stimulants used for ADHD, it could potentially be an alternative treatment for those with ADHD who don’t do well on stimulants.
Study Quote
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder currently afflicting children and is among the most common chronic conditions affecting school-age children. Modafinil is structurally different from the psychostimulants that are typically used to...
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Methods
The study assigned 60 children with ADHD to receive either modafinil or methylphenidate (Ritalin). Researchers tracked the effectiveness of the treatment by surveying parents and teachers about the children’s ADHD symptoms.
Study Quote
Patients included 60 outpatients, children (47 boys and 13 girls) between the ages of 6-15 who clearly met the DSM-IV-TR diagnostic criteria for ADHD. Subjects were recruited from an outpatient child and adolescent clinic for a 6 week double blind, randomized clinical trial. All study su...
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Results
The results showed that ADHD symptoms were nearly identical for modafinil and Ritalin. While this study didn’t use a control group, the effectiveness of Ritalin has been well-established in previous studies.
The fact that modafinil was similarly effective compared to methylphenidate (Ritalin) suggests that it, too, can reduce ADHD symptoms in children.
A small trial comparing modafinil and methylphenidate showed that both medications are effective in reducing ADHD symptoms in children with ADHD
Both medications are approved and generally safe when taken under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
The study did find that children taking modafinil may have had fewer side effects.
A small study on modafinil and methylphenidate (Ritalin) as treatments for ADHD in children found that both medications reduced ADHD symptoms by similar amounts. Children randomly assigned to take modafinil appeared to have fewer side effects than those assigned to take Ritalin.
Study Quote
No significant differences were observed between the two groups on the Parent and Teacher Rating Scale scores. Side effects of decreased appetite and difficulty falling asleep were observed more in the methylphenidate group.
Conclusions
This study showed that modafinil may be a safe and effective treatment for ADHD in children. While it is approved as a treatment for narcolepsy, it isn’t approved as an ADHD treatment. However, that could change as more studies come out.
Study Quote
The results of this study indicate that modafinil significantly improved symptoms of ADHD and was well tolerated and it is beneficial in the treatment of children with ADHD.