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Methylphenidate helps the mind to control focus and impulse management. It’s the mostly used medication for ADHD and is the energetic substance in Concerta, Ritalin, Medikinet and different medicines. The tablets or capsules are authorized for youngsters from 6 years of age, and for adults.
The present research, printed within the journal Pediatric Medication, included 1,741 kids and adolescents who had began remedy with methylphenidate. The info included info on gender, age, BMI and medication doses. For 612 kids, follow-up knowledge on prescription and BMI 6–12 months after remedy initiation had been additionally accessible.
The outcomes present that kids and adolescents with chubby and weight problems acquired barely greater doses of methylphenidate on their first prescription, however when the researchers thought-about the load of the kids and calculated the dose per weight, they discovered that kids and adolescents with chubby and weight problems tended to obtain decrease weight-adjusted doses.
For the group of kids and adolescents with underweight, the other was true. When their first doses had been thought-about in line with weight, it was discovered that in observe the doses had been greater than for these of upper weight.
Within the subsequent step, when it was time for follow-up prescriptions, absolute dose will increase had been highest in kids and adolescents with weight problems and lowest in kids and adolescents with underweight.
Kaplan–Meier curves for methylphenidate remedy continuation by weight standing, intercourse, and age at 3, 12, and 24 months after the baseline prescription. Credit score: Pediatric Medication (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s40272-025-00728-z
The research additionally reveals that at follow-up, women acquired greater doses than boys, each absolute and weight-adjusted doses, whereas kids over 12 years acquired greater absolute however decrease weight-adjusted doses than kids below 12 years.
Main the research are Julia Izsak, Researcher and Resident in Scientific Pharmacology, and Jenny Kindblom, Guide and Professor of Scientific Pharmacology on the College of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska College Hospital:
“There is a significantly higher proportion of children and adolescents with underweight who discontinue treatment during the first year, compared to the group of normal weight. In addition to this, it is also clear that girls and children over the age of 12 are more likely to discontinue their treatment within a year,” Izsak concludes.
The researchers conclude that the findings spotlight the necessity for additional research on how dosage impacts the efficacy and security of methylphenidate remedy for ADHD in kids and adolescents, together with these with underweight, chubby or weight problems.
“There are major gaps in knowledge regarding medicines to children and adolescents. Our results underline the importance of considering children’s individual circumstances when starting and monitoring medical treatment for ADHD. Through further research, we hope to increase knowledge and contribute to more accurate treatment strategies for children and adolescents with different weight status,” says Izsak.
Extra info:
Julia Izsak et al, Dosing and Discontinuation of Methylphenidate Medicine in Relation to Weight Standing in Youngsters and Adolescents, Pediatric Medication (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s40272-025-00728-z
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Discontinuation of ADHD medicine extra frequent in kids with underweight (2025, November 13)
retrieved 13 November 2025
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