title: [The effectiveness of atomoxetine in children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD. A systematic overview].
abstract: This paper gives an overview of the pharmacology, efficacy, duration, tolerance, and side effects of atomoxetine for children, adolescents, and adults. A systematic analysis of the published clinical studies and poster abstracts was conducted. Atomoxetine is the first selective inhibitor of the noradrenaline transporter that was approved by the FDA in the US as a nonstimulant for the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults. In clinical studies, its efficacy was studied in 4,000 patients. Compared with placebo, atomoxetine proved to be superior with respect to reducing impulsiveness, hyperactivity, and inattention. There are indications that its efficacy is comparable to that of methylphenidate. In general, atomoxetine was well tolerated. The most frequently reported adverse events were decrease of appetite, abdominal problems, tiredness, and vertigo. These were classified as mild and found mostly at the beginning of treatment. The existing results indicate that atomoxetine is promising for the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie des Kindes- und Jugendalters am Klinikum der Universität zu Köln. kathrinsevecke@aol.com
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sevecke
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Battel
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Dittmann
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lehmkuhl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Döpfner
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050484:Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011437:Propylamines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D050484:Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D011437:Propylamines; D008774:Methylphenidate; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride