title: Long-term open-label response to atomoxetine in adult ADHD: influence of sex, emotional dysregulation, and double-blind response to atomoxetine.
abstract: A three-year open-label study of atomoxetine in adults with ADHD followed two multicenter, double-blind trials. In the double-blind trials, female gender and higher levels of emotional symptoms were associated with better outcome. Following a 4-week placebo washout period, 384 (of 536) subjects continued into the open-label study. 61% of subjects entering this open-label study remained after 6 months at an average dose of 100 mg/day. Subjects who had previously responded to double-blind atomoxetine achieved maximum response after 8 weeks of open-label medication, but others continued to improve for 36 weeks. Women improved more (7.7 ± 6.4) than men (6.1 ± 6.4) on the Wender-Reimherr Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (WRAADDS) (P = .007) and the Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (P = .03). Subjects with emotional dysregulation improved more than others on the WRAADDS (P = .001). Responders ultimately improved approximately 60% in attentional, hyperactive/impulsive, and emotional symptoms. Thirty-nine percent of atomoxetine double-blind non-responders became responders during open-label treatment.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA. barriemarchant@aol.com
authors: Barrie K
authors: BK
authors: Marchant
authors: Fred W
authors: FW
authors: Reimherr
authors: Corinne
authors: C
authors: Halls
authors: Erika D
authors: ED
authors: Williams
authors: Robert E
authors: RE
authors: Strong
authors: Douglas
authors: D
authors: Kondo
authors: Poonam
authors: P
authors: Soni
authors: Reid J
authors: RJ
authors: Robison
mesh_terms: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011437:Propylamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D011437:Propylamines; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride