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Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences ›› 2022, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (10): 755-760.DOI: 10.5246/jcps.2022.10.065

• Original articles • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Study on drug retention of methylphenidate and atomoxetine in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Li Yu1,*(), Chaohui Ye2   

  1. 1 Ningbo Psychiatric Hospital, Ningbo 315032, China
    2 Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital, Ningbo 315012, China
  • Received:2022-06-10 Revised:2022-07-15 Accepted:2022-08-21 Online:2022-10-31 Published:2022-10-31
  • Contact: Li Yu

Abstract:

This study retrospectively analyzed the medication prescriptions of children diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Ningbo Psychiatric Hospital and Ningbo Women and Children’s Hospital from March 2018 to September 2020 and compared the drug retention rate of methylphenidate hydrochloride and atomoxetine hydrochloride. The prescription automatic screening system was used to screen the prescriptions in children with ADHD. Kaplan-Meier regression analysis was used to compare prescription retention rates between the two regimens after adjusting for gender, age, body weight, and prescription cost. The mean age of the methylphenidate hydrochloride group was 8.75 ± 2.16 years, and the monthly prescription cost was 327.37 ± 146.64 RMB. The average age of the atomoxetine group was 8.33 ± 1.73 years, and the monthly prescription cost was 363.15 ± 154.90 ¥. There were some differences in the age of enrollment and the monthly prescription cost between the two regimens (all P < 0.01). Moreover, the retention rate of methylphenidate hydrochloride was higher compared with atomoxetine hydrochloride within 18 months. Kaplan-Meier regression analysis showed that this trend was significant (Tarone-ware, Chi-square value = 14.893, P < 0.001). Prescription costs might be a factor affecting drug retention. This study found that the retention rates were decreased month by month in children with ADHD, and after 5 months, the retention rates were 52.20% and 41.22%, respectively, far below the recommended levels of the guidelines.

Key words: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Methylphenidate, Tomoxetine, Drug retention rate

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