Hyperkinetic children: the use of stimulant drugs evaluated

Abstract

Use of stimulant drugs in the treatment of hyperkinetic children is reviewed briefly. While drugs appear to be effective in "normalizing" behavior, too little attention has been paid to potential side effects. There is need for a broader program of clinical evaluation, assessing drug effects not only on behavior, but on appetite and the cardiovascular system, and taking into account the sociological impact of drug use by children.