Can a common ADHD drug beat MS fatigue?
NCT ID NCT02286557
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tested whether methylphenidate, a drug used for ADHD, can reduce the mental exhaustion that affects up to 95% of people with multiple sclerosis. Thirty-six adults with MS took both the drug and a placebo for four weeks each, without knowing which they were getting. The goal was to see if methylphenidate improves fatigue and thinking speed.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- methylphenidate
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could give doctors solid evidence to prescribe methylphenidate for fatigue in multiple sclerosis.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 36 people. Results may not apply to everyone, and the drug may not work better than placebo.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Kessler Foundation
East Hanover, New Jersey, 07936, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.