Bupropion SR vs. Methylphenidate vs. Placebo for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults
Abstract
Despite the increasing recognition of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults, there are few controlled trials demonstrating the effectiveness of pharmacological treatments, particularly with nonstimulants. One controlled trial found bupropion SR more effective than placebo in the treatment of ADHD adults. We conducted a controlled study to contrast the effectiveness of bupropion SR and methylphenidate to placebo in ADHD adults. A randomized, double-blind, parallel design was used in this study. Following a 7-day placebo lead-in, 30 ADHD (DSM-IV) subjects (18-60 years old) were randomized to bupropion, methylphenidate, or placebo for 7 weeks. Methylphenidate was titrated over 1 week to a maximum dose of 0.9 mg/kg/d divided into 3 doses while bupropion was titrated over 2 weeks to a maximum dose of 200 mg A.M. and 100 mg P.M. Response rates based on Clinical Global Impression improvement ratings in patients receiving bupropion, methylphenidate, and placebo were 64, 50, and 27%, respectively. The difference in response rates between active treatment and placebo was not statistically significant (p = 0.14). Neuropsychological testing demonstrated trends favoring drug treatment on measures of immediate recall and verbal fluency. While bupropion SR may be a viable clinical alternative for adults with ADHD, further investigation is needed.
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Bupropion has been used off-label for treating ADHD, yet it has been shown to have only very moderate efficacy for treating core ADHD symptoms.
“bupropion has been used off-label for treating ADHD, yet it has been shown to have only very moderate efficacy for treating core ADHD symptoms [499,500].”
From Reward circuitry dysfunction in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders and genetic syndromes: animal models and clinical findings (2012) · cites this paper as [500]
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- Authors
- Kuperman, S., Perry, P., Gaffney, G., Lund, B., Bever-Stille, K., Arndt, S., Holman, T., Moser, D., & Paulsen, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Iowa (US)
- Venue
- Annals of Clinical Psychiatry
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2001-09-01
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 129-134
- ISSN
- 1040-1237 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2085799036
- Cited by
- 113
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 2.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Annals of Clinical Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Johns Hopkins University
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations
- Keywords
- adult ADHD, bupropion, methylphenidate, stimulant pharmacotherapy, placebo response, treatment response rate, neuropsychological outcomes, verbal fluency, immediate recall
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Male, Methylphenidate, Neuropsychological Tests, Severity of Illness Index, Time Factors, Bupropion, Treatment Outcome, Adrenergic Agents, Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors
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