scholarly journals Pharmacotherapeutic options for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Author(s):  
Jarnail Singh

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the most common behavioral disorder in children, may disable the patient throughout life. Diagnosis of ADHD is based on DSM-IV-revised criteria. ADHD is a costly health problem and various drugs including stimulants, tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), bupropion, pemoline, clonidine and atomoxetine have been used to treat it. Atomoxetine and stimulants are the most commonly prescribed drugs for pediatric ADHD with similar efficacy, but serious adverse events with atomoxetine have been reported.

1995 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. B. Lahey ◽  
B. Applegate ◽  
K. McBurnett ◽  
J. Biederman ◽  
L. Greenhill ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Alyson R. Pierick ◽  
Melodie Lynn ◽  
Courtney M. McCracken ◽  
Matthew E. Oster ◽  
Glen J. Iannucci

Abstract Introduction: The prevalence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in the general population is common and is now diagnosed in 4%–12% of children. Children with CHD have been shown to be at increased risk for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Case reports have led to concern regarding the use of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications in children with underlying CHD. We hypothesised that medical therapy for patients with CHD and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is safe. Methods: A single-centre, retrospective chart review was performed evaluating for adverse events in patients aged 4–21 years with CHD who received attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder therapy over a 5-year span. Inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of CHD and concomitant medical therapy with amphetamines, methylphenidate, or atomoxetine. Patients with trivial or spontaneously resolved CHD were excluded from analysis. Results: In 831 patients with CHD who received stimulants with a mean age of 12.9 years, there was only one adverse cardiovascular event identified. Using sensitivity analysis, our median follow-up time was 686 days and a prevalence rate of 0.21% of adverse events. This episode consisted of increased frequency of supraventricular tachycardia in a patient who had this condition prior to initiation of medical therapy; the condition improved with discontinuation of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder therapy. Conclusion: The incidence of significant adverse cardiovascular events in our population was similar to the prevalence of supraventricular tachycardia in the general population. Our single-centre experience demonstrated no increased risk in adverse events related to medical therapy for children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and underlying CHD. Further population-based studies are indicated to validate these findings.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 128-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saad Salman ◽  
Muhammad Idrees ◽  
Muhammad Anees ◽  
Jawaria Idrees ◽  
Fariha Idrees ◽  
...  

Objectives: To study the association of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with heroin addiction. Study design: A cross-sectional, hospital based study. Place and duration of study: The study was carried out at Lady Reading Hospital and Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan from 4th April 2012 to 13th September 2012. Subjects and Methods: A sample of 137 adult heroin addicts were analyzed that whether they were ADHD and that childhood problem continues to manifest symptoms in adults. For retrospective assessment of childhood ADHD, the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) as well as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) symptom checklist for ADHD was used. The Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scales (CAARS) was used to assess the persisting symptoms of ADHD in adults. Inclusion criteria: Patient diagnosed with heroin addiction according to ICD-9 and DSM-IV. Exclusion criteria: Patient has co-morbid with any other mental illnesses. Results: The difference between the mean score of WURS and CAARS of ADHD patients were significantly greater than the normal patients. Heroin addicts showed 41.6% (WURS) and 38.6% (DSM-IV diagnostic criteria) that indicated evidence of retrospective ADHD affliction in childhood. 22.6% were IV users. CAARS was presented in 37.9% heroin addicts who exhibited a substantiation of ADHD persistent in adulthood. The difference between the mean score of WURS and CAARS of ADHD patients were significantly greater (P = 0.003), than the normal patients. Conclusions: These results revealed that addiction is associated with co-morbidity with ADHD, expressed in the form of heroin addiction. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v13i2.18294 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.13(2) 2014 p.128-134


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