Efficacy of atomoxetine versus placebo in school-age girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Joseph Biederman, John H Heiligenstein, Douglas E Faries, Nora Galil, Ralf Dittmann, Graham J Emslie, Christopher J Kratochvil, Harry F Laws, Kory J Schuh, Atomoxetine ADHD Study Group

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Pediatrics 2002 Dec

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The efficacy of atomoxetine was assessed in school-age girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Atomoxetine is a potent inhibitor of the presynaptic norepinephrine transporter with minimal affinity for other noradrenergic receptors or for other neurotransmitter transporters or receptors. A total of 291 children who were 7 to 13 years of age and met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition criteria for ADHD participated in 1 of 2 combined, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multisite, identical clinical trials. This intent-to-treat subset analysis examined the effects of atomoxetine versus placebo in 51 girls who were randomized to atomoxetine (n = 30) or placebo (n = 21) for 9 weeks. ADHD symptoms were assessed using parent- and investigator-rated scales. Atomoxetine was superior to placebo on the following measures: the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-IV-Parent Version: Investigator Administered and Scored Total Score; the Inattentive and Hyperactive/Impulsive subscales of the Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-IV-Parent Version: Investigator Administered and Scored Total Score; the ADHD Index subscale of the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Short Form; and the Clinical Global Impressions of Severity of ADHD. Statistically significant efficacy was seen 1 week after randomization and remained so for the duration of the study. One patient from each of the atomoxetine and placebo groups discontinued the study as a result of an adverse event. Atomoxetine was found to be effective and well tolerated for the treatment of ADHD in school-age girls.

Citation

Joseph Biederman, John H Heiligenstein, Douglas E Faries, Nora Galil, Ralf Dittmann, Graham J Emslie, Christopher J Kratochvil, Harry F Laws, Kory J Schuh, Atomoxetine ADHD Study Group. Efficacy of atomoxetine versus placebo in school-age girls with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics. 2002 Dec;110(6):e75