Effects of atomoxetine on growth in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder following up to five years of treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects on growth of long-term pharmacological treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), we present findings from an ongoing 5-year study of the efficacy and safety of treatment with atomoxetine.


METHODS
North American patients, 6-17 years old at study entry (N = 1,312) and with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,4th edition (DSM-IV) ADHD, were studied under open-label atomoxetine treatment. Sixty-one were studied up to 5 years.


RESULTS
After 1 month's treatment, patients weighed less than expected from their starting percentiles relative to population norms, with a maximum shortfall at 15 months and a return to expected weight by 36 months. Patients were slightly shorter than expected after 12 months, reaching a maximum shortfall at 18 months and returning to expected height by 24 months. Patients in the top quartile for body mass index (BMI) or weight at baseline, and those in the third quartile for height, showed 5-year decreases from expected values. Those below median height at baseline showed increases relative to expected values.


CONCLUSIONS
These interim results indicate that continuous atomoxetine treatment for up to 5 years has little or no long-term effect on juvenile growth and final stature for most patients, although persistent decreases from expected may occur in some patients who are larger than average before treatment.
Spencer
Thomas J
TJ
Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. spencer@helix.mgh.harvard.edu
Kratochvil
Christopher J
CJ
Sangal
R Bart
RB
Saylor
Keith E
KE
Bailey
Charles E
CE
Dunn
David W
DW
Geller
Daniel A
DA
Casat
Charles D
CD
Lipetz
Robert S
RS
Jain
Rakesh
R
Newcorn
Jeffrey H
JH
Ruff
Dustin D
DD
Feldman
Peter D
PD
Furr
Amanda J
AJ
Allen
Albert J
AJ
D000293:Adolescent; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000523:psychology; D001827:Body Height / Q000187:drug effects; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011437:Propylamines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D011437:Propylamines; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride