Comparison of oral and intravenous methylphenidate.

Oral methylphenidate (1.0 mg/kg) and intravenous methylphenidate (0.5 mg/kg) were compared as to their ability to increase behavioral activation, pulse, blood pressure, and serum growth hormone. Intravenous methylphenidate was considerably more effective than oral methylphenidate in activating behavior and in increasing pulse and blood pressure. Although oral methylphenidate appeared to increase behavioral activation, this effect was not statistically significant.