Drug treatment for hyperactive children. Therapeutic guidelines

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood behavioural disorder and medication is one of the principal treatments. Methylphenidate and dexamphetamine (dextroamphetamine) have a long record of use in children and well proven efficacy, and are the preferred drugs. Current clinical guidelines recommend a trial of methylphenidate and of dexamphetamine for each child meeting criteria for the disorder in order to maximise response rate and minimise adverse effects.