Desipramine appeared more efficacious than clonidine in reducing ADHD symptoms as rated by parents ( SMD -0.90 , 95 % CI -1.40 to -0.40 , 1 trial , 68 participants , very low quality evidence ) in participants with ADHD and comorbid tics or Tourette syndrome .
Although this Cochrane Review did not identify serious adverse effects in patients taking TCAs , it did identify mild increases in diastolic blood pressure and pulse rates .
Also , patients treated with desipramine had significantly higher rates of appetite suppression compared to placebo whilst nortriptyline result ed in weight gain .
Other reported adverse effects included headache , confusion , sedation , tiredness , blurred vision , diaphoresis , dry mouth , abdominal discomfort , constipation , and urinary retention .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Most evidence on TCAs relates to desipramine .
Findings suggest that , in the short term , desipramine improves the core symptoms of ADHD , but its effect on the cardiovascular system remains an important clinical concern .
BACKGROUND Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood onset , which may persist into adulthood .
ADHD has a significant impact on a child 's daily life , affecting relationships and academic performance .
Its core symptoms include developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention , hyperactivity , and impulsive behaviour .
Tricyclic antidepressants ( TCAs ) are sometimes used as second line of treatment in the reduction of ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD .
However , their efficacy is not yet known .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy of TCAs in the reduction of ADHD symptoms within the broad categories of hyperactivity , impulsivity , and inattentiveness in young people aged 6 to 18 years with established diagnoses of ADHD .
Effects of methylphenidate, desipramine, and l-dopa on attention and inhibition in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of methylpheni date ( MPH ) on attention and inhibition in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ( ADHD ) and to establish what the relative contributions of the noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems to this effect were . In addition to MPH , two other drugs were administered in order to affect both transmitter systems more selectively , L-dopa ( dopamine ( DA ) agonist ) and desipramine ( DMI ) ( noradrenaline ( NA ) re-uptake inhibitor ) . Sixteen children with ADHD performed a stop-task , a laboratory task that measures the ability to inhibit an ongoing action , in a double-blind r and omized within-subjects design . Each child received an acute clinical dose of MPH , DMI , L-dopa , and placebo ;  measures of performance and plasma were determined . The results indicated that inhibition performance was improved under DMI but not under MPH or L-dopa . The response-time to the stop-signal was marginally shortened after intake of DMI . MPH decreased omission and choice-errors and caused faster reaction times to the trials without the stop-tone . No effects of L-dopa whatsoever were noted . Prolactin levels were increased and 5-HIAA levels were lowered under DMI relative to placebo . It is suggested that the effects of MPH on attention are due to a combination of noradrenergic and dopaminergic mechanisms . The improved inhibition under DMI could be serotonergically mediated
Desipramine appeared more efficacious than clonidine in reducing ADHD symptoms as rated by parents ( SMD -0.90 , 95 % CI -1.40 to -0.40 , 1 trial , 68 participants , very low quality evidence ) in participants with ADHD and comorbid tics or Tourette syndrome .
Although this Cochrane Review did not identify serious adverse effects in patients taking TCAs , it did identify mild increases in diastolic blood pressure and pulse rates .
Also , patients treated with desipramine had significantly higher rates of appetite suppression compared to placebo whilst nortriptyline result ed in weight gain .
Other reported adverse effects included headache , confusion , sedation , tiredness , blurred vision , diaphoresis , dry mouth , abdominal discomfort , constipation , and urinary retention .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Most evidence on TCAs relates to desipramine .
Findings suggest that , in the short term , desipramine improves the core symptoms of ADHD , but its effect on the cardiovascular system remains an important clinical concern .
BACKGROUND Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood onset , which may persist into adulthood .
ADHD has a significant impact on a child 's daily life , affecting relationships and academic performance .
Its core symptoms include developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention , hyperactivity , and impulsive behaviour .
Tricyclic antidepressants ( TCAs ) are sometimes used as second line of treatment in the reduction of ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents with ADHD .
However , their efficacy is not yet known .
OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy of TCAs in the reduction of ADHD symptoms within the broad categories of hyperactivity , impulsivity , and inattentiveness in young people aged 6 to 18 years with established diagnoses of ADHD .