Atomoxetine treatment in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
BACKGROUND
This study compared two atomoxetine titration dosing schedules and two atomoxetine maintenance doses for treating adolescent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.


METHODS
Adolescents (N = 267) were randomized to a slow or fast titration schedule. Patients who responded continued on a 40-week maintenance treatment, randomized to either 0.8 or 1.4 mg/kg/day.


RESULTS
During the acute period, significant benefit was demonstrated with both titration schedules on the ADHD Rating Scale total score. Although patients in both groups maintained benefit relative to week 0, statistically significant loss of benefit was found for patients maintained on 0.8 mg/kg/day but not on 1.4 mg/kg/day. A similar pattern was observed on the Clinical Global Impressions-ADHD-Severity scores and Life Participation Scale for ADHD-Child Version scores. Mean grades for most subjects improved for patients in both maintenance treatment groups although most improvements were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
In adolescents with ADHD, treatment benefit at 8 weeks was better maintained long-term with 1.4 mg/kg/day than with 0.8 mg/kg/day. Improvement in adaptive functioning and age-appropriate developmental function was also demonstrated. Atomoxetine 0.8 and 1.4 mg/kg/day were equally well tolerated.


BACKGROUND
Maintenance of benefit with atomoxetine hydrochloride in adolescents with ADHD, NCT00191035.
Wietecha
Linda A
LA
Lilly USA, LLC, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA. wietechala@lilly.com
Williams
David W
DW
Herbert
Michael
M
Melmed
Raun D
RD
Greenbaum
Michael
M
Schuh
Kory
K
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011437:Propylamines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D011437:Propylamines; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride