Parent-reported social problems and clinician-evaluated adverse effects may be differentially affected by differing extended release methylphenidate formulations: a prospective, naturalistic study from Turkey

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Medikinet retard® is a nonosmotic, extended-release formulation of Methylphenidate (MPH) and has been used in Turkey for the last 4-5 years. The aim of our study is to compare the efficacy on functionality of Medikinet retard® and Concerta® and their adverse events. METHODS: Participants were referred to the Kayseri Training and Research Hospital and followed up there between August 2016 and June 2018. This study design is a 16-week prospective trial, each child received 16 weeks of OROS-MPH or MPH-ER. A total of 103 children were enrolled in the study, but only 70 children (n = 35 concerta, n = 35 medikinet retard) completed the study. Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Parent Report Form (WFIRS-P) and Barkley Side Effect Rating Scale (BSERS) were used for assessment. RESULTS: In both treatment groups, children improved significantly over time, both in intensity and in the number of problems. Regarding the social problems, Medikinet retard® was superior to the Concerta in terms of effects. The side effects of insomnia and euphoria were seen more common in the Concerta® group than the Medikinet retard®. Additionally, the mean severity scores of euphoria were shown higher in the Concerta® group than the Medikinet retard. CONCLUSION: From this study, we concluded that Medikinet retard® is also an effective and safety MPH formulation.