Comparison of the Effects and Side Effects of Different Doses of Propranolol in Combination with Methylphenidate in 6-12 y Children Affected by ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood psychiatric disorders. The low dose of propranolol is relatively effective in reducing ADHD symptoms. This study compares effect of different doses of propranolol in combination with methylphenidate among children with ADHD. Subjects and Thirty children with ADHD were randomly categorized in two equal groups. All members of the first group received methylphenidate plus low dose propranolol (10-20mg/day) and all members of the second group received methylphenidate plus high dose propranolol (20-40mg/day). The symptoms were scored based on Conners scale at the beginning and at the end of the second and fourth weeks; and the therapeutic effects and side effects were determined. Conners scores decreased significantly in both groups at the end of the second and fourth weeks (P<0.05). The high dose propranolol group showed more decline in Conners scores than the first group at the end of the second and fourth weeks. The second group had 32% and 50% decline in average Conners scores, compared to baseline, at the end of the second and fourth weeks, respectively, and these results were 20 and 37% decline in Conners scores at the same time for first group, respectively (P=0.001). The blood pressure, pulse rate and prevalence of adverse effects showed no significant difference between two groups (P >0.05). The results suggest that higher dose of propranolol are more effective in reducing ADHD symptoms in comparison to the lower doses with no additional adverse effects.