Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of clonidine in hyperactive children with mental retardation

Ment Retard. 2001 Aug;39(4):259-67. doi: 10.1352/0047-6765(2001)039<0259:DBPCTO>2.0.CO;2.

Abstract

A 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of oral clonidine in three fixed doses (4, 6, and 8 mcg/kg/day) using a crossover design was conducted with 10 children who had hyperkinetic disorder (mean age 7.6 years +/-.54). All had comorbid mental retardation. Both parents' ratings on the Parent Symptom Questionnaire and clinicians' ratings on the Hillside Behaviour Rating Scale showed a marked dose-related response to clonidine in hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. Drowsiness was a common side effect of clonidine. It wore off by the 2nd to 4th week in most cases. Thus, clonidine is a safe and effective medication in young hyperkinetic children with comorbid mental retardation.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / diagnosis
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / drug therapy*
  • Child
  • Clonidine / adverse effects
  • Clonidine / therapeutic use*
  • Comorbidity
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / diagnosis
  • Intellectual Disability / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Personality Assessment

Substances

  • Clonidine