Tianeptine as a slightly effective therapeutic option for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
OBJECTIVE
Because of the hypotonic side effect of clonidine, the use of tianeptine was studied as an alternative because of its longer excretion half-life, decreased sedative side effects and more selective binding profile.


METHODS
We rated sixty-eight psychiatric outpatients diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at baseline and while taking tianeptine to determine its efficacy as a treatment for ADHD and used comparisons of Conners' parent ratings within each subject to measure behavioral changes in the subjects.


RESULTS
During tianeptine treatment, patients' mean scores improved significantly overall, and also for Conners' Hyperactivity, Inattention and Immaturity factors.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study indicates that tianeptine might be a slightly effective beneficial and useful treatment for ADHD, reducing hyperactive behaviors and enabling greater attentional ability with minimal side effects.
Niederhofer
Helmut
H
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Regional Hospital Bozen, Bolzano, Italy. helmutniederhofer@yahoo.de
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013841:Thiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D013841:Thiazepines; C050504:tianeptine