Atomoxetine treatment of children and adolescents with ADHD - Clinical questions and answers

Abstract

This paper reviews the pharmacology, efficacy, duration, tolerance, and side effects of atomoxetine for children, adolescents, and adults. A systematic review of the clinical studies and poster abstracts which have been published in the literature was conducted. Atomoxetine is a highly selective inhibitor of the noradrenaline transporter, and the first non-stimulant compound that was FDA-approved in the US for the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents and adults. In clinical studies, its efficacy was examined in more than 4,000 patients. Compared with placebo, atomoxetine was shown to be superior in reducing impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. There are indications of comparable efficacy to methylphenidate. In general, atomoxetine was well tolerated. The most fre- quently reported adverse events were a decrease in appetite, abdominal problems, som- nolence, fatigue and dizziness. These were classified as mild and were mostly found at the beginning of treatment. The existing research results indicate that atomoxetine is a promising substance for the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults.