title: Duloxetine in the treatment of adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: an open-label study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this study was to explore the efficacy and safety of duloxetine, a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, in the treatment of adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen adolescents aged 11-18 years, diagnosed with ADHD, participated in this 6-week open-label study. Duloxetine was given in doses of 30 mg/day in the first week and 60 mg/day from week 2 to the end of the study. Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised (CPRS-R) short form was used to assess the efficacy of the therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant reduction in ADHD symptoms measured by CPRS-R was observed. This reduction was evident from week 4 of the study. In addition, the decrease was significant in all four subscales of CPRS-R including inattention, oppositionality, hyperactivity and ADHD index. In terms of side effects, duloxetine was generally safe and well tolerated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this open-label study suggest a promise of duloxetine in the treatment of youth with ADHD. Further controlled studies with larger samples are required to evaluate the efficacy of duloxetine in children and adolescents with ADHD.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Javad
authors: J
authors: Mahmoudi-Gharaei
authors: Nasrin
authors: N
authors: Dodangi
authors: Mehdi
authors: M
authors: Tehrani-Doost
authors: Toktam
authors: T
authors: Faghihi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D057566:Self Report; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013876:Thiophenes; D000068736:Duloxetine Hydrochloride