Anti-Seizure Med May Help Control ADHD-Related Aggression

Researchers have discovered that the anti-seizure drug divalproex may help control overly aggressive behaviors in children with ADHD.

A Dec. 14 Reuters Health article provided the following details about the divalproex study, which conducted at New York’s Stony Brook University School of Medicine:

• Half of the children received divalproex in addition to their regular ADHD treatment, while half received a placebo, or inactive, pill, plus their usual medications.
• All of the children's families had weekly behavioral therapy.
• Three of the children either left the study before it was completed, or could not be found for follow-up testing.
• Eight of 14 patients in the divalproex group exhibited less aggressive behavior, compared to just 2 of 13 in the placebo group.
• Although the drug was generally well-tolerated, some children taking it experienced feelings of sadness and trouble falling asleep.

The Stony Brook study was published in the December 2009 edition of the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Labels: medications