Open-label trial of atomoxetine hydrochloride in adults with ADHD.
BACKGROUND
While atomoxetine is an established treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children, few studies have examined its efficacy for adults.


METHODS
Open-label trial of atomoxetine in 20 individuals with ADHD, aged 19-47 years, for 10 weeks, and a total of one year for responders.


RESULTS
Ten patients met primary efficacy criteria at 10 weeks. Only one patient completed the whole study. Six patients discontinued before 10 weeks and thirteen at 10 weeks or later, mainly because of side-effects (aggression, depressed mood, raised liver enzymes, thyroid hormones, diastolic blood pressure), decreasing efficacy or non-compliance.


CONCLUSIONS
Fifty percent responded to treatment, but only one patient (5%) felt sufficient improvement to continue for one year. Dosage may have been too low, and baseline impairment too high, for atomoxetine to have sufficient effect on ADHD symptoms in our group of adults. The majority had few side-effects, but several terminated treatment because of adverse effects.
Johnson
Mats
M
Göteborg University, Sweden. mats.k.johnson@vgregion.se
Cederlund
Mats
M
Råstam
Maria
M
Areskoug
Björn
B
Gillberg
Christopher
C
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057194:Intention to Treat Analysis; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D011437:Propylamines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D011437:Propylamines; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride