We included double-blind randomised controlled trials (parallel group, crossover, or cluster), of at least 1 week's duration, that enrolled children (aged ≥5 years and <12 years), adolescents (aged ≥12 years and <18 years), or adults (≥18 years) with a primary diagnosis of ADHD according to DSM-III, DSM III-R, DSM-IV(TR), DSM-5, ICD-9, or ICD-10. We did not restrict our search by ADHD subtype or presentation, gender, intelligence quotient (IQ), socioeconomic status, or comorbidities (except for those needing concomitant pharmacotherapy). We included studies if they assessed any of the following medications, as oral monotherapy, compared with each other or with placebo: amphetamines (including lisdexamfetamine), atomoxetine, bupropion, clonidine, guanfacine, methyl-phenidate (including dexmethylphenidate), and modafinil. We excluded studies with enrichment designs (eg, trials selecting drug responders only after a run-in phase), because these types of trial can potentially inflate efficacy and tolerability estimates. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria are in the appendix (pp 16, 17).
