From the ArcaMax Publishing, Parents Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/parents/s-348698-424198
CLEVELAND (UPI) -- U.S. scientists say they have determined the
prolonged use of a transdermal patch is safe and effective for the
treatment of ADHD in children 6-12 years old.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, affects 11 percent
of boys and 4.4 percent of girls. The patch delivers methylphenidate
through the skin and is sold under the brand name Daytrana by Shire
PLC.
"The findings are significant because only a relatively modest amount
of work has been done to examine the effects of ADHD treatments by
gender," said Dr. Robert Findling of Case Western Reserve University
in Cleveland, who led the investigation, He said parents "need to
recognize ADHD symptoms present differently in girls than in boys."
Studies have found girls tend to show less disruptive ADHD symptoms
such as inattention, while boys tend to exhibit hyperactivity and
impulsivity.
In the study of 326 children, adverse events were mild or moderate and
no clinically significant differences in adverse events were noted
between boys and girls. In one measure of change, boys showed a 41
percent improvement in symptoms that define ADHD and girls showed a 23
percent improvement.