Atomoxetine treatment of ADHD in children with comorbid Tourette syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines changes in severity of tics and ADHD during atomoxetine treatment in ADHD patients with Tourette syndrome (TS).


METHODS
Subjects (7-17 years old) with ADHD (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-IV) and TS were randomly assigned to double-blind treatment with placebo (n = 56) or atomoxetine (0.5-1.5 mg/kg/day, n = 61) for approximately 18 weeks.


RESULTS
Atomoxetine subjects showed significantly greater improvement on ADHD symptom measures. Treatment was also associated with significantly greater reduction of tic severity on two of three measures. Significant increases were seen in mean pulse rate and rates of treatment-emergent nausea, decreased appetite, and decreased body weight. No other clinically relevant treatment differences were observed in any other vital sign, adverse event, laboratory parameter, or electrocardiographic measure.


CONCLUSIONS
Atomoxetine is efficacious for treatment of ADHD and its use appears well tolerated in ADHD patients with comorbid TS.
Spencer
Thomas J
TJ
Pediatric Psychopharmacology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114-2696, USA. tspencer@partners.org
Sallee
F Randy
FR
Gilbert
Donald L
DL
Dunn
David W
DW
McCracken
James T
JT
Coffey
Barbara J
BJ
Budman
Cathy L
CL
Ricardi
Randall K
RK
Leonard
Henrietta L
HL
Allen
Albert J
AJ
Milton
Denai R
DR
Feldman
Peter D
PD
Kelsey
Douglas K
DK
Geller
Daniel A
DA
Linder
Steven L
SL
Lewis
Donald W
DW
Winner
Paul K
PK
Kurlan
Roger M
RM
Mintz
Mark
M
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011437:Propylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D005879:Tourette Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D011437:Propylamines; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride