Open AccessAtomoxetine in the Treatment of Adults with Subthreshold and/or Late Onset Attention‐Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder‐Not Otherwise Specified (ADHD‐NOS): A Prospective Open‐Label 6‐Week Study
Author(s) -
Surman Craig,
Hammerness Paul,
Petty Carter,
Doyle Robert,
Chu Nicole,
Gebhard Nitzah,
Williams Courtney,
Biederman Joseph
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
cns neuroscience and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1755-5949
pISSN - 1755-5930
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2009.00124.x
Subject(s) - atomoxetine , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , tolerability , atomoxetine hydrochloride , clinical global impression , medicine , population , clinical trial , prospective cohort study , pediatrics , placebo , psychiatry , adverse effect , methylphenidate , alternative medicine , environmental health , pathology
The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of atomoxetine hydrochloride (ATX) in the treatment of adults with atypical manifestations of attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (not otherwise specified [NOS]). We hypothesized that treatment with ATX will be safe and efficacious for the treatment of adults with ADHD‐NOS. This was a 6‐week, open‐label, prospective treatment study of ATX monotherapy in 45 adult patients with ADHD‐NOS assessed using standardized instruments for diagnosis and a robust oral daily dose of up to 1.2 mg/kg/day or 120 mg/day. Symptom severity was assessed with the adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Report Scale (AISRS) and Clinical Global Impression Scale. Treatment with ATX at an average daily dose of 78.7 ± 27.8 mg was associated with a statistically and clinically significant reduction in ADHD symptoms relative to baseline as assessed through the (AISRS) (−12.1 ± 8.4; P < 0.001). Using a categorical definition of response (CGI‐I much or very much improved), a majority (N = 29; 64%) of subjects were rated as improved at study endpoint. Treatment with ATX was relatively well tolerated. These open‐label results suggest that ATX may be safe and effective in the treatment of adults meeting criteria for ADHD‐NOS and support the need for further controlled clinical trials of ATX in this population.