Treatment Outcomes in African-American Children with ADHD

The most studied and most often used stimulant medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is methylphenidate (MPH). By 1996, there were 133 randomized, controlled trials describing the treatment of ADHD with MPH. However, MPH has a short duration of effect that results in a need for multiple daily dosing. Therefore, several long-acting formulations have been developed to minimize the need for repeated daily dosing. One such formulation of MPH uses OROS, technology (OROS MPH) to allow for once-daily dosing. The OROS MPH (Concerta®) formulation has been shown to be safe and effective during short-term, double-blind, controlled trials. In addition, interim results from an open-label, long-term study of OROS MPH reported that efficacy is maintained over 12 months and that OROS MPH was associated with significant improvements in symptoms of treatment-naive patients, according to ratings by caregivers and teachers.

Atomoxetine, a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, is the first nonstimulant medication for the treatment of ADHD. The precise mechanism of action is not known, but it is thought that the efficacy of atomoxetine might relate to increasing noradrenergic transmission in cortical areas. Six published studies have reported that atomoxetine was effective in decreasing ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) scores and Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness (CGI-SI) scores from baseline in children and adolescents; however, these trials excluded patients with most comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, patients who were receiving psychotropic medications and substance abusers. Cialis Jelly

This subgroup analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of OROS MPH and atomoxetine in African-American children who participated in the Formal Observation of Concerta® versUs Strattera® (FOCUS) study, which was conducted in 1,323 children with ADHD to evaluate treatment outcomes with OROS MPH and atomoxetine.

Category: Health

Tags: African Americans, atomoxetine