Skip to main content

How is standard ADHD medication used in clinical practice and how is this supported by research?

Author/s
Chinnaiah Yemula, Professor Frank M. C. Besag, Dave Coghill
Citation
Issue 2 Spring 2012
CEPiP.2012.1.35-45
Abstract

ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder. It is important for the clinician to keep up-to-date with the new developments in using ADHD medications effectively, while empowering patients and parents to make informed choices. The aim of this paper is to assist the clinician in deciding which medication or formulation to recommend in different circumstances. Ten simple principles of administering ADHD medication are outlined, along with comprehensive tables and a flow chart. An up-to-date summary of the research supporting current practice is presented.

Cite as: Cutting Edge Psychiatry in Practice 2012, 2(1):35-45; https://doi.org/10.65031/pjif7694

References Part 1

  1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – diagnosis and management in children, young people and adults, NICE clinical guideline 72, Developed by the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, Sep 2008
  2. ADHD - the facts by Mark Selikowitz and published by Oxford University Press, 2nd edition 2009  
  3. Banaschewski T, Coghill D, Santosh P, et al. Long-acting medications for the hyperkinetic disorders. A systematic review and European treatment guideline. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2006; 15: 476-495. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-0549-0
  4. Medikinet ®XL Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflet. Flynn Pharma Ltd.          
  5. 100 Questions and Answers about ADHD in Women and Girls by Patricia O. Quinn and published by Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2011
  6. Once daily Atomoxetine for treating Pediatric Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Comparison of morning and evening dosing. Block SL et al Clinical Pediatrics Sep 2009; Vol 48: no7;723-733 https://doi.org/10.1177/0009922809335321
  7. BNF (British National Formulary) for Children, 2011-12  

 

References Part 2

  1. Greenhill LL, Swanson JM, Vitiello B, Davies M, Clevenger W, Wu M, et al. Impairment and deportment responses to different methylphenidate doses in children with ADHD: The MTA titration trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2001 Feb;40(2):180-7. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004583-200102000-00012
  2. Jensen PS, Arnold LE, Richters JE, Severe JB, Vereen D, Vitiello B, et al. A 14-month randomized clinical trial of treatment strategies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1999 Dec;56(12):1073-86. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpsyc.56.12.1073
  3. Santosh PJ, Taylor E, Swanson J, Wigal T, Chuang S, Davies M, et al. Refining the diagnoses of inattention and overactivity syndromes: A reanalysis of the Multimodal Treatment study of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on ICD- 10 criteria for hyperkinetic disorder. Clin Neurosci Res. 2005 Dec;5(5-6):307-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cnr.2005.09.010
  4. Banaschewski T, Coghill D, Santosh P, Zuddas A, Asherson P, Buitelaar J, et al. Long-acting medications for the hyperkinetic disorders. A systematic review and European treatment guideline. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. [Review]. 2006 Dec;15(8): 476-95. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-006-0549-0
  5. Svanborg P, Thernlund G, Gustafsson PA, Hagglof B, Poole L, Kadesjo B. Efficacy and safety of atomoxetine as add-on to psychoeducation in the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in stimulant-naive Swedish children and adolescents. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009 Apr;18(4):240-9.6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-008-0725-5
  6. Sonuga-Barke EJ, Swanson JM, Coghill D, DeCory HH, Hatch SJ. Efficacy of two once-daily methylphenidate formulations compared across dose levels at different times of the day: preliminary indications from a secondary analysis of the COMACS study data. BMC Psychiatry. 2004;4:28. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244x-4-28
  7. Dopfner M, Ose C, Fischer R, Ammer R, Scherag A. Comparison of the Efficacy of Two Different Modified Release Methylphenidate Preparations for Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in a Natural Setting: Comparison of the Efficacy of Medikinet (R) Retard and Concerta (R)-a Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Multicenter Clinical Crossover Trial. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2011 Oct;21(5):445-54. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2010.0082
  8. Wehmeier PM, Dittmann RW, Schacht A, Helsberg K, Lehmkuhl G. Morning and evening behavior in children and adolescents treated with atomoxetine once daily for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): findings from two 24- week, open-label studies. Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health. 2009;3(1):5. https://doi.org/10.1186/1753-2000-3-5
  9. Montoya A, Hervas A, Cardo E, Artigas J, Mardomingo MJ, Alda JA, et al. Evaluation of atomoxetine for first-line treatment of newly diagnosed, treatment-naive children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Curr Med Res Opin. 2009 Nov;25(11):2745-54. https://doi.org/10.1185/03007990903316152
  10. Escobar R, Montoya A, Polavieja P, Cardo E, Artigas J, Hervas A, et al. Evaluation of patients’ and parents’ quality of life in a randomized placebo-controlled atomoxetine study in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2009 Jun;19(3):253-63. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2008.0109
  11. Newcorn JH, Kratochvil CJ, Allen AJ, Casat CD, Ruff DD, Moore RJ, et al. Atomoxetine and osmotically released methylphenidate for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: acute comparison and differential response. Am J Psychiatry. 2008 Jun;165(6):721-30. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2007.05091676
  12. Efron D, Jarman F, Barker M. Methylphenidate versus dexamphetamine in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A double-blind, crossover trial. Pediatrics. 1997 Dec;100(6):E6. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.100.6.e6
  13. Faraone SV, Buitelaar J. Comparing the efficacy of stimulants for ADHD in children and adolescents using meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2010 Apr;19(4):353-64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-009-0054-3
  14. Biederman J, Krishnan S, Zhang Y, McGough JJ, Findling RL. Efficacy and tolerability of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (NRP- 104) in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a phase III, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, forced-dose, parallel-group study. Clin Ther. [Clinical Trial, Phase III. 2007 Mar;29(3):450-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0149-2918(07)80083-x
  15. Findling RL, Childress AC, Cutler AJ, Gasior M, Hamdani M, Ferreira-Cornwell MC, et al. Efficacy and safety of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. [Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t]. 2011 Apr;50(4):395-405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2011.01.007
  16. Biederman J, Melmed RD, Patel A, McBurnett K, Konow J, Lyne A, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of guanfacine extended release in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics. 2008 Jan;121(1):e73-84. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2006-3695
  17. Sallee FR, McGough J, Wigal T, Donahue J, Lyne A, Biederman J. Guanfacine extended release in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a placebo-controlled trial. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009 Feb;48(2):155-65. https://doi.org/10.1097/chi.0b013e318191769e