Results There is some evidence of the effectiveness of medication in treating DBDs , with positive outcomes for lithium and risperidone in particular .
Pharmacotherapy also demonstrated some efficacy in reducing symptoms of aggression .
Medication was relatively well-tolerated , as indicated by equivalent dropout rates in medication and comparison groups .
Rationale Pharmacotherapy is frequently considered in the treatment of  disruptive behavior disorders ( DBDs ) in children and adolescents .
There are , however , no systematic review s of this literature .
Objectives The aim of this work is to determine whether medication is effective in treating pediatric disruptive behavior disorders and related problems of impulse control , as well as to examine differences in the treatment response and tolerability of different medication classes and agents .
Clinical efficacy of methylphenidate in conduct disorder with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
BACKGROUND Stimulants are not considered appropriate for the treatment of children with conduct disorders ( CDs ) . The postulated differences in stimulant effect between children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) and CD led to the hypothesis that methylpheni date hydrochloride , which is effective in ADHD , would not significantly improve symptoms of CD . METHODS We r and omly assigned 84 children with CD , between the ages of 6 and 15 years , to receive methylpheni date hydrochloride ( up to 60 mg/d ) or placebo for 5 weeks . Behavior was evaluated by parent , teacher , and clinician reports and by direct classroom observations . Two thirds of the children also met criteria for ADHD . RESULTS Contrary to prediction , ratings of antisocial behaviors specific to CD were significantly reduced by methylpheni date treatment . The magnitude of methylpheni date effect indicated meaningful clinical benefit . Partialling out severity of ADHD did not alter the significant superiority of methylpheni date on CD ratings specifically ( P < .001 ) . CONCLUSIONS Methylpheni date has short-term positive effects on children and adolescents with CD . Key aspects of antisocial adjustment appear to be treatment responsive . This effect was independent of severity of the children 's initial ADHD symptoms
Results There is some evidence of the effectiveness of medication in treating DBDs , with positive outcomes for lithium and risperidone in particular .
Pharmacotherapy also demonstrated some efficacy in reducing symptoms of aggression .
Medication was relatively well-tolerated , as indicated by equivalent dropout rates in medication and comparison groups .
Rationale Pharmacotherapy is frequently considered in the treatment of  disruptive behavior disorders ( DBDs ) in children and adolescents .
There are , however , no systematic review s of this literature .
Objectives The aim of this work is to determine whether medication is effective in treating pediatric disruptive behavior disorders and related problems of impulse control , as well as to examine differences in the treatment response and tolerability of different medication classes and agents .