Comparison of Effectiveness and Side Effects of Combination of Memantine and Methylphenidate with Methylphenidate alone in Treatment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit/Hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood psychiatric disorder and its early diagnosis and treatment have significant role in control of symptoms and prevention of the subsequent complications in children. This study assesses effects of combination of memantine and methylphenidate in treatment of children with ADHD. Subjects and This study was a double-blinded clinical trial. Thirty-six children with ADHD were divided randomly in two equal groups (18 in each group). The first group received a combination of methylphenidate and memantine and the second group received methylphenidate and placebo. The therapeutic effect was assessed by Conner’s scale and side effects were determined in each group at the begging and at the end of the first, second, third and fourth weeks after intervention. Conner’s test scores did not show statistically significant difference (P=0.835) between two groups at the beginning of study and at the end of the first week (P=0.136). However, at the end of the second, third and fourth weeks, the group of methylphenidate with memantine had more decline in Conner’s test scores (P=0.012, 0.001 and 0.002, repectivley) compared to group of methylphenidate with placebo. The overall results showed that the Conner’s scale decreased from 22.3 to 10 (P<0.001) in the methylphenidate and memantine combination group which was significantly lower than in methylphenidate with placebo (decreased from 22.4 to 13.5) (P<0.001). There was no statistically significant differences in side effects between two groups (P>0.05). This study showed that methylphenidate with memantine is more effective than methylphenidate alone for ADHD in children and it has similar side effects profile.