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 .
Prevalence of Prescribed Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medications and Diagnosis among Canadian Preschoolers and School-Age Children: 1994–2007
Objective : To describe trends in the prevalence of prescribed attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) medication by Canadian preschoolers and school-age children and to compare these with trends in the prevalence of the ADHD diagnosis between 1994 and 2007 . Methods : Subjects participated in the National Longitudinal Survey on Children and Youth , a Canadian prospect i ve survey collecting data biennially . Three cross-sectional sample s of nonreferred children , aged 3 to 9 years and representative of Canadian children for 1994–1995 ( n = 12 595 ) , 2000–2001 ( n = 13 904 ) , and 2006–2007 ( n = 14 655 ) , were selected for the analyses . Information on prescribed medications and ADHD diagnosis was reported by each child 's parents . Prevalence was estimated at each cycle , taking the child 's age and sex into account . Results : The estimated prevalence of prescribed medications and ADHD diagnosis in Canada was generally low ( less than 3 % ) , but higher for boys ( less than 4 % ) and school-age children ( less than 5 % ) .  Preschoolers ' prevalence of both prescribed medications and ADHD diagnosis stayed stable between 1994 and 2007 ( 1 % or less ) , while that of school-age children increased nearly 2-fold . Boys ' prevalence was higher than that of girls , but girls show the steepest increase over time , up to 2.1-fold . The association between prescribed medications and ADHD diagnosis has strengthened during the 2000s : a greater number of medications were used for children with ADHD ( from 43 % in 2000 to 59 % in 2007 ) while off-label use of prescribed medications decreased among school-age children . Conclusions : The upward trend in the prevalence of prescribed ADHD medications and ADHD diagnosis currently observed in contemporary societies is also occurring in Canada , except with preschoolers
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 .