New research on methylphenidate

I ran across a great website for finding and participating in clinical trials. It's http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Here is a recent one involving methylphenidate:

A Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Dose-Titration Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of CONCERTA in Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder at Doses of 36 mg, 54 mg, 72 mg, 90 mg, or 108 mg per day

What I learned

• This study was sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, makers of Concerta.
• Concerta was found effective at 36-108mg. Can't tell which dose worked best. But I guess that depends on the severity of ADD/ADHD and genes.
• Most common side effects:
  • decreased appetite (25.5%)
  • headache (25.5%)
  • dry mouth (20.0%)
  • anxiety (16.4%)
  • nausea (12.7%)
  • blood pressure increased (10%)
  • insomnia (9.1%)
  • initial insomnia (7.3%)
  • heart rate increased (7.3%)
  • bruxism (6.4%)
  • irritability (6.4%)
  • muscle tightness (6.4%).
• "The mean change in weight from baseline to the Final Visit (LOCF) was -2.2 kg in the All CONCERTA group and +0.2 kg in the placebo group." That's -4.85 lbs for the metrically-challenged. I can't tell from the study how long this weight loss took.

And, because I like visuals, here is one quickly showing the side effects: