Methylphenidate and Autism Ranking:

Future Research

Summary of Existing Research

There is a limited amount of research evidence (10 group studies and eight case design studies with three or more participants) into the use of methylphenidate as an intervention for autistic people.

This research suggests that methylphenidate may be beneficial for the treatment of hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention in some autistic children and young people.

There is almost no research evidence to suggest that methylphenidate may be useful for the treatment of autistic adults.

There is evidence of significant side effects of methylphenidate in some individuals. Those side effects may include insomnia, nervousness, headache, decreased appetite, abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms, and cardiovascular effects such as tachycardia, palpitations and minor increases in blood pressure.

Recommendations for Future Research

Further, large scale, double blind, randomised controlled trials of the effects of methylphenidate should be carried out on autistic individuals to determine their effectiveness and safety.  These studies should

• Investigate the optimal dosage and length of treatment for different autistic individuals.
• Compare the efficacy, tolerability and safety of extended-release versus immediate-release formulations over the short, medium and long-term.
• Compare methylphenidate with other central nervous system stimulants, such as dextroamphetamine, and with non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine and guanfacine.
• Use a range of well-established outcome measures, ensuring that data from all of the measures is reported and compared to the baseline measures.
• Be independent of the manufacturers or suppliers of methylphenidate.
• Involve autistic people (and parents and carers) in the design, development and evaluation of those studies.

Updated

17 Jun 2022

Last Review

01 Dec 2018

Next Review

01 Sep 2024