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 .
Long-term open-label response to atomoxetine in adult ADHD: influence of sex, emotional dysregulation, and double-blind response to atomoxetine
A three-year open-label study of atomoxetine  in adults with ADHD followed two multicenter , double-blind trials . In the double-blind trials , female gender and higher levels of emotional symptoms were associated with better outcome . Following a 4-week placebo washout period , 384 ( of 536 ) subjects continued into the open-label study . 61 % of subjects entering this open-label study remained after 6 months at an average dose of 100 mg/day . Subjects who had previously responded to double-blind atomoxetine achieved maximum response after 8 weeks of open-label medication , but others continued to improve for 36 weeks . Women improved more ( 7.7 ± 6.4 ) than men ( 6.1 ± 6.4 ) on the Wender – Reimherr Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Scale ( WRAADDS ) ( P = .007 ) and the Conners ’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale ( P = .03 ) .  Subjects with emotional dysregulation  improved more than others on the WRAADDS ( P = .001 ) . Responders ultimately improved approximately 60 % in attentional , hyperactive/impulsive , and emotional symptoms . Thirty-nine percent of atomoxetine double-blind non-responders became responders during open-label treatment
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 .