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 .
Methylphenidate in aggressive-hyperactive boys: I. Effects on peer aggression in public school settings.
One of the least documented " known " effects of methylpheni date in hyperactive children is the suppression of peer aggression . In this study , 11 aggressive-hyperactive children received a low ( 0.3 mg/kg ) and moderate ( 0.6 mg/kg ) dose of methylpheni date and placebo for 2 weeks each under double-blind conditions . Children were observed in public school setting s during classroom seatwork activities , lunch , and recess . Results showed that methylpheni date suppressed nonphysical aggression ( p = 0.06 ) in the classroom , and a moderate dose decreased physical aggression ( p less than 0.01 ) and verbal aggression ( p = 0.07 ) on the playground . The effect on the rate of appropriate social interaction was variable . The majority of subjects exhibited either the same or higher levels of appropriate social interaction on the 0.6 mg/kg dose compared with placebo . In the classroom , both doses of methylpheni date also result ed in reduced levels of motor movement , off-task behavior , noncompliance , and disruptiveness . Teacher ratings of hyperactivity and conduct problem symptoms revealed drug effects , whereas parallel parent instruments did not
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 .