Table 1. Dosage recommendation for the most commonly used psychostimulants and other medications in the treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD.
| Generic name or trade name | Dosage (mg/kg body weight) | Total daily dosages (mg) | Number of doses per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methylphenidate immediate release | 0.3– max. 1.0 | 5–40 | 1–3 |
| Ritalin Medikinet | Max.: 60 | ||
| Methylphenidate sustained release | all preparations: 0.3–1.0 | ||
| Concerta | 18–54 mg | 1 | |
| Medikinet Retard | 10–40 * | 1 | |
| Ritalin LA | 10–40 * | 1 | |
| Amphetamine Liquid | 0.1–0.5 | 2.5–20 | 1–2 (3) |
| max. 40 | |||
| Lisdexamphetamine | 30–70 | 1 | |
| Atomoxetine | 0.5–0.8; max.1.2 | If less than 70 kg: | 1–2 |
| Strattera | 18–60 | ||
| if more than 70 kg: 40–max. 100 | |||
| Guanfacine extended release | 0.05–0.12 | 1–4 | 1 |
| Intuniv |
Without any reason the dose should not be increased above 60 mg.
Abbreviations: ADHD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; max. maximum.
Adapted from (1) Walitza S, Romanos M, Greenhill LL, Banaschewski T. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders. In: Gerlach M, Warnke A, Greenhill LL, eds. Psychiatric Drugs in Children and Adolescents. Wien: Springer; 2014:369–381 238 and (2) Walitza S, Gerlach M, Romanos M, Renner T. Psychostimulanzien und andere Arzneistoffe, die zur Behandlung der Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) angewendet werden. In: Gerlach M, Mehler-Wex C, Walitza S, Warnke A, Wewetzer C, eds. Neuro-/Psychopharmaka im Kindes- und Jugendalter: Grundlagen und Therapie. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg; 2016:289–331. 239