Six-week open-label reboxetine treatment in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
OBJECTIVE
This open-label study assessed the effectiveness of reboxetine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) resistant to a previous methylphenidate trial.


METHODS
Thirty-one child and adolescent outpatients, aged 8 to 18 (mean age, 11.7; SD = 2.87) years, diagnosed with ADHD were enrolled in a 6-week open-label study. Assessments included rater-administered scales (DSM-IV ADHD Scale; Clinical Global Impressions Scale), parent-administered scales (the Abbreviated Conners Rating Scale), and self-administered-scales for the evaluation of depressive (Children's Depression Inventory) and anxiety (the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale) symptoms. Reboxetine was initiated and maintained at a dose of 4 mg/day.


RESULTS
A significant decrease in ADHD symptoms, on all scales measured, was noted. Adverse effects were relatively mild and transient. The most common adverse effects were drowsiness/sedation and gastrointestinal complaints.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the current open-label study suggest the effectiveness of reboxetine in the treatment of ADHD in methylphenidate-resistant children and adolescents. Double-blind, placebo-, and active comparator-controlled studies are indicated to rigorously test the efficacy of reboxetine in ADHD.
Ratner
Sharon
S
Tel Aviv-Brull Community Mental Health Center, Israel.
Laor
Nathaniel
N
Bronstein
Yifat
Y
Weizman
Abraham
A
Toren
Paz
P
D000293:Adolescent; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009025:Morpholines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077593:Reboxetine
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D009025:Morpholines; D000077593:Reboxetine