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Introduction: Methylphenidate and lisdexamfetamine are available medications in Brazil for treating Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study aimed to evaluate these drugs concerning effectiveness and adverse reactions. Methods: 452 patients, from 4 to 18 years old, medicated with methylphenidate immediate release (MPH-IR), methylphenidate Spheroidal Oral Drug Absorption System (MPH-SODAS), methylphenidate Osmotic release oral system (MPH-OROS) or lisdexamfentaime (LIS) participated in the study. Parents answered a questionnaire about medication, adverse effects, academic improvement and general improvement. Results: Among methylphenidate patients (n=445), 64% used MPH-IR, 14% MPH-SODAS e 19% MPH-OROS regularly. During treatment, 55% percent presented one or more adverse effect. The most frequent effects were loss of appetite (26%) and anxiety/ irritability (15%) and 1.8% presented severe reaction, such as generalized seizure or dyskinesia. Of all patients, 25% suspended the medication, being86% due to adverse reactions; 76.5% presented academic improvement, without significant difference among MPH formulations. Concerning general improvement, better rates were found for MPH-SODAS and OROS in comparison to MPH-IR (75.4% and 73.6% versus 55.8, p<0.05). All lisdexamfetamine patients (n=7) presented at least one adverse effect. The most prevalent were loss of appetite (n=5) and tics (n=4). Two patients suspended the medication due to adverse effects. Four patients presented general and academic improvement. Conclusion: Despite the frequency of side effects, methylphenidate showed satisfactory results for ADHD in a large sample. Although this study had a limited number of patients using lisdexamfetamine, this medication also demonstrated interesting results concerning general and academic improvement.

Hyperactivity; stimulants; treatment outcome