These observational studies also showed positive correlations between early recognition of the disorder , stimulant treatment during childhood and favorable long-term outcome in adult ADHD patients .
In conclusion , stimulant therapy of ADHD has long-term beneficial effects and is well tolerated .
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is a common disorder of childhood that often persists into adulthood .
Although stimulant medications are recommended as the first-line treatment for ADHD because of their documented short-term effects in children and adults , less is known about their effects on long-term outcome in adults .
Here we review the long-term efficacy and safety of the stimulant drugs methylpheni date and amphetamine , as well as the related compound atomoxetine .
We performed a systematic review to identify direct and indirect effects of stimulant therapy on long-term outcome in adults .
Once-Daily Atomoxetine for Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A 6-Month, Double-Blind Trial
This r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , 6-month trial examined the efficacy and safety of once-daily morning-dosed atomoxetine in adult patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) and the efficacy of atomoxetine in ameliorating symptoms through the evening hours . Patients received once-daily atomoxetine ( n = 250 ) or placebo ( n = 251 ) in the morning for approximately 6 months . The efficacy measures included the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Rating Scale ( AISRS ) , Conners ' Adult ADHD Rating Scale-Investigator Rated : Screening Version , Clinical Global Impressions-ADHD-Severity of Illness , and Adult ADHD Quality of Life Scale .  Overall , 94 patients r and omized to atomoxetine and 112 patients r and omized to placebo completed the study . On the AISRS total score , Conners ' Adult ADHD Rating Scale-Investigator Rated : Screening Version evening index total score , Clinical Global Impressions-ADHD-Severity of Illness score , and Adult ADHD Quality of Life Scale total score , atomoxetine was statistically superior to placebo at the 10-week and 6-month time points . From the visitwise analysis , the mean ( SD ) AISRS total scores for atomoxetine decreased from 38.2 ( 7.5 ) at baseline to 21.4 ( 12.3 ) at the 6-month end point compared with 38.6 ( 7.0 ) to 25.8 ( 13.2 ) for placebo ( P = 0.035 ) . Nausea , dry mouth , fatigue , decreased appetite , urinary hesitation , and erectile dysfunction were the treatment-emergent adverse events reported significantly more often with atomoxetine .  Discontinuations due to adverse events were 17.2 % and 5.6 % for atomoxetine and placebo , respectively ( P < 0.001 ) . Once-daily morning-dosed atomoxetine is efficacious for treating ADHD in adults when measured 10 weeks and 6 months after initiating treatment . Atomoxetine demonstrated significant efficacy that continued into the evening . Adverse events were similar to previous trials
These observational studies also showed positive correlations between early recognition of the disorder , stimulant treatment during childhood and favorable long-term outcome in adult ADHD patients .
In conclusion , stimulant therapy of ADHD has long-term beneficial effects and is well tolerated .
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is a common disorder of childhood that often persists into adulthood .
Although stimulant medications are recommended as the first-line treatment for ADHD because of their documented short-term effects in children and adults , less is known about their effects on long-term outcome in adults .
Here we review the long-term efficacy and safety of the stimulant drugs methylpheni date and amphetamine , as well as the related compound atomoxetine .
We performed a systematic review to identify direct and indirect effects of stimulant therapy on long-term outcome in adults .