Introduction
A laboratory classroom study in children aged 6–12 years with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) found that racemic amphetamine sulfate (RA-AMPH) significantly improved ...performance versus placebo from 45 min through 10 h post-dose (NCT01986062). A secondary analysis assessed gender as a potential moderator of response to treatment comparing the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) and Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn and Pelham (SKAMP) rating scales.
Methods
After 8 weeks of open-label RA-AMPH dose optimization using improvement in ADHD-RS-IV symptoms as a guide, 97 subjects (38 females and 59 males) were randomized to the sequence of 2 weeks of double-blind treatment with the optimized dose of RA-AMPH followed by placebo or vice versa during a laboratory classroom day. Efficacy measures included the SKAMP and the Permanent Product Measure of Performance (PERMP). The average difference for RA-AMPH versus placebo was estimated using least-square (LS) means. Treatment interaction by gender was analyzed using a cross-sectional fixed-effects model.
Results
ADHD-RS-IV scores were comparable for males and females at study entry and at the end of open-label treatment. During double-blind treatment, LS mean scores significantly improved for both genders versus placebo on the SKAMP scale and the PERMP (average
p
< 0.0001 for all post-dose time points). Beginning at baseline, males had significantly higher (worse) SKAMP scores than females but not worse ADHD-RS-IV or PERMP scores.
Conclusion
Both genders responded well to treatment with RA-AMPH, with comparable onset and duration of effect. The ADHD-RS-IV and SKAMP scales both measure changes in attention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior, but the SKAMP scale also measures associated disruptive behaviors, such as frustration, lying, and interpersonal conflict, that are more characteristic of oppositional and conduct disorders and more prevalent in boys with ADHD. Therefore, the SKAMP may be more sensitive for measuring the range of symptoms of boys with ADHD than the ADHD-RS-IV.
Funding
Arbor Pharmaceuticals, LLC.
Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release chewable tablet (MPH ERCT) is approved for treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in patients aged 6 years and older. This article ...evaluates the pharmacokinetic parameters and relative bioavailability of MPH ERCT when chewed versus swallowed whole.
In this open-label, single-dose, 3-period, 3-treatment crossover study, 12 healthy adult volunteers were randomly assigned to treatment sequence. In each period, subjects received a single 40-mg dose of the assigned treatment (MPH ERCT chewed, MPH ERCT swallowed whole, or methylphenidate extended-release oral suspension MEROS). Blood samples for pharmacokinetic analysis were collected for 24 hours postdose. Key pharmacokinetic parameters included Cmax, AUC0–t, and AUC0–∞.
The geometric mean values for AUC0–t, AUC0–∞, and Cmax were similar for MPH ERCT chewed, MPH ERCT swallowed whole, and MEROS. In all pairwise between-treatment comparisons, the 90% CIs of the geometric mean ratios for AUC0–t, AUC0–∞, and Cmax were fully contained within the bioequivalence range of 80% to 125%. Early exposure over the first 4 hours after dosing (AUC0–4) was similar for MPH ERCT chewed versus swallowed whole; AUC0–4 was approximately 15% lower for MPH ERCT, either chewed or swallowed, compared with MEROS. Each treatment was generally well tolerated.
There was no difference in overall rate or extent of exposure of methylphenidate when MPH ERCT was chewed versus swallowed whole by healthy volunteers.
Objective: To test whether an optimal dose of Quillivant XR (methylphenidate extended-release oral suspension MEROS) would significantly reduce symptoms of ADHD in children. Method: A randomized, ...double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, efficacy, safety, and tolerability study of MEROS in 45 children aged 6 to 12 years (open-label dose-optimization phase, followed by double-blind cross-over period). Results: MEROS was significantly more efficacious than placebo during double-blind cross-over laboratory classroom days (Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham Rating Scale and Permanent Product Measure of Performance). During the open-label phase, improvements were observed in scores of ADHD Rating Scale-IV, and Clinical Global Impression-Severity and -Improvement Scales. No occurrences of suicidal ideation or behavior were recorded; the most common open-label treatment-emergent adverse events were typical of stimulant use: decreased appetite, insomnia, and abdominal pain. Conclusion: MEROS was efficacious in the treatment of children aged 6 to 12 years with ADHD, with a safety profile similar to that of other extended-release methylphenidate pharmacotherapies.
The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of NWP06, a novel extended-release (ER) liquid formulation of methylphenidate (MPH), compared with placebo in the treatment of ...attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children in a laboratory school.
A total of 45 subjects ages 6-12 years were enrolled in this dose-optimized, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover laboratory school study. Following open-label dose optimization, subjects received 2 weeks of double-blind treatment (1 week of NWP06 and 1 week of placebo). The treatment sequence (NWP06/placebo or placebo/NWP06) was randomly assigned with the last day of each week-long treatment occurring on the laboratory school test day. Efficacy measures included Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn and Pelham (SKAMP) Rating Scale-Combined and Permanent Product Measure of Performance (PERMP) mathematics tests measured at pre-dose and at 0.75, 2, 4, 8, 10, and 12 hours post-dose on each laboratory classroom day. Safety assessments included physical examination, screening electrocardiogram (ECG), vital signs, clinical laboratory tests, adverse event measures, and assessment of suicidality with the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale.
NWP06 resulted in significant (p<0.0001) improvements in the SKAMP-Combined score at 4 hours post-dose (mean=7.12) as compared with placebo (mean=19.58) in the completers (n=39). Significant separation from placebo occurred at each time point tested (0.75, 2, 4, 8, 10, 12 hours), with onset of action of NWP06 at 45 minutes post-dose and duration of efficacy extending to 12 hours post-dose. Adverse events (AEs) and changes in vital signs following NWP06 treatment were generally mild and consistent with the known safety profile of MPH. The most common AEs in the open-label phase were decreased appetite (55.6%), upper abdominal pain (42.2%), affect lability (26.7%), initial insomnia (22.2%), insomnia (17.8%), and headache (17.8%).
NWP06 treatment effectively reduced symptoms of ADHD in children beginning at 45 minutes and continuing for 12 hours post-dose. NWP06 was well tolerated.
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00904670. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00904670 .
The study goal was to determine the efficacy and safety of an optimal dose of Evekeo, racemic amphetamine sulfate, 1:1 d-amphetamine and l-amphetamine (R-AMPH), compared to placebo in treating ...children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a laboratory classroom setting.
A total of 107 children ages 6-12 years were enrolled in this multicenter, dose-optimized, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. After 8 weeks of open-label dose optimization, 97 subjects were randomized to 2 weeks of double-blind treatment in the sequence of R-AMPH followed by placebo (n=47) or placebo followed by R-AMPH (n=50). Efficacy measures included the Swanson, Kotkin, Agler, M-Flynn, and Pelham (SKAMP) Rating Scale and Permanent Product Measure of Performance (PERMP) administered predose and at 0.75, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 hours postdose on 2 laboratory classroom days. Safety assessments included physical examination, chemistry, hematology, vital signs, and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).
Compared to placebo, a single daily dose of R-AMPH significantly improved SKAMP-Combined scores (p<0.0001) at each time point tested throughout the laboratory classroom days, with effect onset 45 minutes postdose and extending through 10 hours. R-AMPH significantly improved PERMP number of problems attempted and correct (p<0.0001) throughout the laboratory classroom days. During the twice-daily dose-optimization open-label phase, improvements were observed with R-AMPH in scores of the ADHD-Rating Scale IV and Clinical Global Impressions Severity and Improvement Scales. TEAEs and changes in vital signs associated with R-AMPH were generally mild and not unexpected. The most common TEAEs in the open-label phase were decreased appetite (27.6%), upper abdominal pain (14.3%), irritability (14.3%), and headache (13.3%).
Compared to placebo, R-AMPH was effective in treating children aged 6-12 years with ADHD, beginning at 45 minutes and continuing through 10 hours postdose, and was well tolerated.
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01986062. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01986062.
A study investigated the impact of variable wear times of the methylphenidate transdermal system in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It was concluded that duration of ...medication effect was directly related to the wear time of the methylphenidate transdermal system patch.
Lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX), a prodrug stimulant, is indicated for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children 6-12 years of age and in adults. In short-term studies, once-daily ...LDX provided efficacy throughout the day. This study presented here was conducted to assess the long-term safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of LDX in 6- to 12-year-olds with ADHD.
This open-label, multicenter, single-arm study enrolled children with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition-Text Revision criteria for ADHD. Following 1-week screening and washout periods, subjects were titrated to LDX 30, 50, or 70 mg/day over 4 weeks and placed on maintenance treatment for 11 months. The ADHD Rating Scale and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale measured effectiveness.
Of 272 subjects receiving LDX, 147 completed the study. Most adverse events were mild to moderate and occurred during the first 4 weeks. There were no clinically meaningful changes in blood pressure or electrocardiographic parameters. From baseline to endpoint, mean ADHD Rating Scale scores improved by 27.2 points (P<.0001). Improvements occurred during each of the first 4 weeks, and were maintained throughout. Based on Clinical Global Impression-Improvement scale scores, >80% of subjects at endpoint and >95% of completers at 12 months were rated "improved."
Long-term 30, 50, and 70 mg/day LDX was generally well tolerated and effective in children with ADHD.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) on emotional lability (EL) in children with ADHD. Method: Post hoc analyses of a placebo-controlled trial of LDX-stratified ...children (aged 6-12 years) with ADHD to prominent and not prominent EL at baseline (score >3 or ≤3, respectively, on Conners’ Parent Rating Scale CPRS items of anger, loss of temper, and irritability). Efficacy was assessed by change in CPRS EL scores and ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV) total and subscale scores. Safety measures included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Results: LDX showed improvement versus placebo (p < .0005) for EL item least squares (LS) mean change scores at endpoint and throughout the day. At baseline, 138 and 73 participants randomized to LDX treatment and having baseline and endpoint CPRS scores were categorized with CPRS-derived prominent and not prominent baseline EL, respectively; 41 and 31 participants randomized to placebo were categorized with CPRS-derived prominent and not prominent baseline EL, respectively. ADHD-RS-IV total and subscale scores decreased with LDX regardless of baseline EL severity. TEAEs included decreased appetite, insomnia, upper abdominal pain, headache, and irritability. Conclusion: EL and ADHD symptoms improved with LDX regardless of baseline EL symptom severity. LDX demonstrated a safety profile consistent with long-acting psychostimulant use.
Information on psychostimulant treatment in long-term studies for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adolescents is limited. This study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of ...lisdexamfetamine dimesylate (LDX) over 52 weeks in adolescents with ADHD.
This open-label multicenter study enrolled eligible participants after their participation in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 4 week trial in adolescents with ADHD. Following a 4 week dose-optimization phase, participants were maintained on treatment for up to ∼48 weeks on an optimal dose. Safety assessments included treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs), vital signs, laboratory findings, and electrocardiograms. Effectiveness measures included the ADHD Rating Scale IV (ADHD-RS-IV; primary) and Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I). The Youth Quality of Life-Research Version (YQOL-R) was also included in this study; raw scores are transformed to a 0-100 point scale.
Of 269 enrolled (from the antecedent study), 265 (98.5%) were in the safety population and effectiveness population. Common TEAEs (≥5%) with LDX included upper respiratory tract infection (21.9%), decreased appetite (21.1%), headache (20.8%), decreased weight (16.2%), irritability (12.5%), insomnia (12.1%), nasopharyngitis (7.2%), influenza (6.8%), dizziness (5.3%), and dry mouth (5.3%). At end point, for all LDX doses in the overall safety population, mean (SD) increase from baseline in systolic blood pressure was 2.3 (10.53) mm Hg, diastolic blood pressure was 2.5 (8.37) mm Hg, and pulse rate was 6.3 (12.74) bpm. No clinically meaningful electrocardiogram or vital sign changes were observed. At end point with LDX treatment, the ADHD-RS-IV mean (SD) total score change from antecedent study baseline was -26.2 (9.75) (p<0.001); 87.2% of participants were improved (CGI-I=1 or 2). Baseline (antecedent study) mean (SD) YQOL-R perceptual total score was 79.8 (11.28) and increased by 3.9 (9.73) at end point (p<0.001).
LDX demonstrated a long-term safety profile similar to that of other long-acting psychostimulants and was effective, as indicated by improvements in ADHD symptoms and participant-perceived YQOL, in adolescents with ADHD.
NCT00764868, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00764868?term=SPD489-306&rank=1.
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