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

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.