There is very-low- quality evidence that clonidine has a small effect on oppositional behaviour and conduct problems in youth with ADHD , with and without ODD or CD .
There is moderate- quality evidence that guanfacine has a small-to-moderate effect on oppositional behaviour in youth with ADHD , with and without ODD .
There is high- quality evidence that atomoxetine has a small effect on oppositional behaviour in youth with ADHD , with and without ODD or CD .
Conclusions : Evidence indicates that psychostimulants , alpha-2 agonists , and atomoxetine can be beneficial for disruptive and aggressive behaviours in addition to core ADHD symptoms ; however , psychostimulants generally provide the most benefit
Objective : Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) may have oppositional behaviour , conduct problems , and aggression .
These symptoms vary in severity , and may be related to a comorbid diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder ( ODD ) or conduct disorder ( CD ) .
Critical evaluation of the efficacy of ADHD medications may guide the clinician regarding the usefulness of medications for these symptoms .
A randomized controlled trial of clonidine added to psychostimulant medication for hyperactive and aggressive children.
OBJECTIVE To compare clonidine with placebo added to ongoing psychostimulant therapy for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with comorbid oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder . METHOD Children 6 to 14 years of age recruited through 2000 to 2001 were r and omized to receive clonidine syrup 0.10 to 0.20 mg/day ( n = 38 ) or placebo ( n = 29 ) for 6 weeks . Primary outcome measures were the Conduct and Hyperactive Index subscales of the parent-report Conners Behavior Checklist . Side effects were monitored using physiological measures and the Barkley Side Effect Rating Scale . RESULTS Evaluable patient analysis showed that significantly more clonidine-treated children than controls were responders on the Conduct scale ( 21 of 37 versus 6 of 29 ; chi2(1 ) = 8.75 , p < .01 ) but not the Hyperactive Index ( 13 of 37 versus 5 of 29 ) . Compared with placebo , clonidine was associated with a greater reduction in systolic blood pressure measured st and ing and with transient sedation and dizziness .  Clonidine-treated individuals had a greater reduction in a number of unwanted effects associated with psychostimulant treatment compared with placebo . CONCLUSIONS The findings support the continued use of clonidine in combination with psychostimulant medication to reduce conduct symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder . Treatment is well tolerated and unwanted effects are transient
There is very-low- quality evidence that clonidine has a small effect on oppositional behaviour and conduct problems in youth with ADHD , with and without ODD or CD .
There is moderate- quality evidence that guanfacine has a small-to-moderate effect on oppositional behaviour in youth with ADHD , with and without ODD .
There is high- quality evidence that atomoxetine has a small effect on oppositional behaviour in youth with ADHD , with and without ODD or CD .
Conclusions : Evidence indicates that psychostimulants , alpha-2 agonists , and atomoxetine can be beneficial for disruptive and aggressive behaviours in addition to core ADHD symptoms ; however , psychostimulants generally provide the most benefit
Objective : Children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) may have oppositional behaviour , conduct problems , and aggression .
These symptoms vary in severity , and may be related to a comorbid diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder ( ODD ) or conduct disorder ( CD ) .
Critical evaluation of the efficacy of ADHD medications may guide the clinician regarding the usefulness of medications for these symptoms .