CTN-0028: Osmotic-Release Methylphenidate for ADHD in Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders

Paula Riggs, MD
Co-Lead Investigator
University of Colorado at Denver
Health Sciences Center
paula.riggs@uchsc.edu

T. John Winhusen, PhD
Co-Lead Investigator
University of Cincinnati
Addiction Sciences Division
winhust@ucmail.uc.edu

The primary objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy of OROS-MPH (Concerta), relative to placebo, in treating ADHD and decreasing substance use in adolescents with ADHD and a substance use disorder. The study involved 303 participants, recruited from 11 community treatment sites.

Primary Findings

OROS-MPH did not show greater efficacy than placebo for ADHD or on reduction in substance use in adolescents concurrently receiving individual CBT for co-occurring SUD. However, OROS-MPH was relatively well tolerated and was associated with modestly greater clinical improvement on some secondary ADHD and substance outcome measures.

Primary Outcomes Article: Riggs PD, et al. Randomized Controlled Trial of Osmotic-Release Methylphenidate with CBT in Adolescents with ADHD and Substance Use Disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 2011 (in press). [get article]