Bupropion sustained release in adolescents with comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and depression.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether bupropion sustained release (SR) is effective and well-tolerated in adolescents with comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and depression.


METHODS
Subjects were 24 adolescents (aged 11-16 years old) with ADHD and either major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder. After a 2-week, single-blind placebo lead-in, subjects were treated for 8+ weeks with bupropion SR at doses flexibly titrated up to 3 mg/kg b.i.d. (mean final doses: 2.2 mg/kg q A.M. and 1.7 mg/kg q P.M.). Outcomes were global improvement in ADHD and depression (clinician-rated), along with changes in depressive symptomatology (parent- and child-rated), ADHD symptomatology (parent- and teacher-rated), and functional impairment (parent-rated).


RESULTS
Clinicians rated 14 subjects (58%) responders in both depression and ADHD, 7 (29%) responders in depression only, and 1 (4%) a responder in ADHD only. Compared with post-placebo ratings, final parents' (p < .0005) and children's (p = .016) ratings of depressive symptomatology improved significantly, as did parents' (p < .0005) but not teachers' (p = .080) ratings of ADHD symptomatology. Final ratings of functional impairment improved significantly from enrollment (p < .0005). No subject discontinued medication because of side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Bupropion SR may be effective and well-tolerated in adolescents with comorbid ADHD and depressive disorders. However, randomized, placebo-controlled studies are needed.
Daviss
W B
WB
Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH, USA. davisswb@msx.upmc.edu
Bentivoglio
P
P
Racusin
R
R
Brown
K M
KM
Bostic
J Q
JQ
Wiley
L
L
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016642:Bupropion / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010919:Placebos; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D010919:Placebos; D016642:Bupropion