Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder informants

National Institutes of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NINDS Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder Information Page, National Institutes of Health. Available online. URL http //www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/adhd/adhd.htm. Updated June 6, 2008. 

The increasing use of stimulants in the United States to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has aroused parental concern and compelled both medical professionals and the media to question the safety and efficacy of this type of treatment. Because ADHD is among the most common reasons for seeking mental health services for children, these questions are more pertinent than ever. This chapter will examine the history of stimulant use, the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, side effects, and issues related to their clinical use in children and adolescents. More detailed information on clinical applications is provided in Section III. 

Murphy, D., Pelham, W., and Lang, A. (1992) Aggression in boys with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder Methylphenidate effects on naturalistically observed aggression, response to provocation, and social information processing. J Abnorm Child Psychol 20 451-466. 

A growing number of web sites have been developed for pediatric medication information. Most university teaching hospitals and children s medical centers have web sites that include educational programs. For example, the University of Virginia Children s Medical Center web site offers tutorials for health care providers on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and cerebral palsy, as well as the institution s Pediatric Pharmacotherapy newsletter. - In addition, many professional organizations for pediatric health care practitioners have web sites, as well as mailing lists, chat rooms, or electronic bulletin boards. Two other useful resources on the Internet are PEDINFO and Harriet Lane Links, the latter sponsored by The Johns Hopkins University. These two noncommercial web sites provide a large number of links to pediatrics-related sites, as well as some feedback on the quality of information contained on many of the linked sites. Table 3 lists these web sites and several others that may be of interest to pediatric clinical pharmacists. 

The 7-year-old child newly diagnosed with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is prescribed methylphenidate (Ritalin), a central nervous stimulant. Which information should the nurse discuss with the parents ... 

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