Efficacy Study of Methylphenidate Hydrochloride to Reduce Fatigue in Prostate Cancer Patients Receiving Hormone Therapy

You may be eligible if

• Inclusion:
• Age \> 18 and ≤ 85 years
• Histologically confirmed prostate cancer
• Currently receiving LHRH-agonist therapy for greater than 6 months with measurable fatigue, defined as a score of \>1 on the Bruera global fatigue severity scale OR
• Deemed eligible to commence LHRH-agonist therapy, with confirmation of fatigue at Screening Visit 2
• Have a serum PSA which is stable or decreasing based on the PSA trend over the last 2 values taken at least 2 months apart, with the more recent value taken at least 2 months after initiation of LHRH-agonist therapy.
• Have adequate liver and renal function (Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 x ULN and AST, ALT and Serum Creatinine \< 2 x ULN)
• Able to swallow and retain oral medication
• Life expectancy of at least 1 year
• Able to read and write in English (and therefore accurately complete the required study questionnaires), understand instructions related to study procedures and give written informed consent.
• Exclusion:
• Current malignancy or received treatment for a previous malignancy within the last 3 years other than prostate cancer (other exceptions are superficial bladder cancer or non-melanoma skin cancer)
• Previous chemotherapy within the last 5 years
• Anemia (Hemoglobin \< 100 g/L)
• Myocardial infarction within past 6 months
• Any unstable serious co-existing medical condition(s) including but not limited to ; unstable or poorly controlled coronary artery disease, chronic atrial fibrillation, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled diabetes, Severe bleeding diseases or immune disorders
• Severe depression as defined by CES-D score \>27
• History of motor tics, seizures or a family history of Tourette's syndrome
• Infection with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), HBV (Hepatitis B) or HCV (Hepatitis C)
• Evidence of drug or alcohol abuse
• Known hypersensitivity to methylphenidate
• Possess any other contraindications to methylphenidate use