Long-term Strattera seen OK for adults with ADHD

The non-stimulant treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Strattera, is safe and effective when taken long-term by adults with the condition, according to interim study results.

The findings are based on 384 adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treated with Strattera (generic name, atomoxetine) for up to 97 weeks, and who are participating in an ongoing study funded by drug-maker Eli Lilly and Company.

Treatment with atomoxetine produced significant improvement on all measures of ADHD symptoms, Dr. Lenard A. Adler from New York University and colleagues note in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

Average total ADHD symptom scores on a standard adult scale fell 33 percent, from 29.2 to 19.5.

Atomoxetine led to improvement in functionality in work, family, and social areas of life, the researchers report, in line with results obtained in children.

Atomoxetine was generally well tolerated, the team says, noting that the pattern and frequency of side events with longer-term treatment were consistent with those observed during the earlier, 10-week studies.

These interim data "represent the longest systematic evaluation of any medication therapy in adult ADHD reported to date," Adler and colleagues point out.

SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, March 2005.