Comparison of the effects of chlorpromazine, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate on the behaviour and intellectual functioning of hyperactive children.

Chlorpromazine, dextroamphetamine and methylphenidate were significantly superior to placebo in producing overall improvement in the behaviour of hyperactive children. Chlorpromazine was effective for the majority of the children, but reduced only hyperactivity, having no demonstrable effect on distractibility, aggressivity or excitability. Both stimulants produced more goal-oriented behaviour and reduced distractibility. Methylphenidate was the most effective of the drugs in prpducing exceptional improvement. All three active drugs had to be discontinued in a few of the children because of side effects. Not all hyperactive children were benefited by the drugs.No background variables (with the exception of mother-child relationship) were found in the present studies to predict favourable response to the drugs.Methylphenidate became our drug of choice for this group of hyperactive children.