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 study of the safety and efficacy of atomoxetine in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: an interim analysis.
BACKGROUND Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) is an early-onset neuropsychiatric disorder that affects 3 % to 7 % of school-age children and 4 % of adults . Its pathophysiology is thought to involve the dopaminergic and nor-adrenergic pathways associated with attention control and impulsivity . These symptoms have largely been defined in the childhood population , but the course of the condition and expression in the adult population are not as well characterized . METHOD This is an ongoing , 3-year , open-label study consisting of adults with DSM-IV ADHD who were previously enrolled in 1 of 2 double-blind , acute-treatment studies of atomoxetine .  The results of the interim analysis reported here were derived from the study of 384 patients at 31 sites who had been studied for a period of up to 97 weeks . The primary efficacy measure was the Conners ' Adult ADHD Rating Scale-Investigator Rated : Screening Version ( CAARS-Inv : SV ) total ADHD symptom score . In addition , safety , adverse events , and vital sign measurements were assessed . RESULTS Significant improvement was noted with atomoxetine therapy , with mean CAARS-Inv : SV total ADHD symptom scores decreasing 33.2 % from 29.2 ( baseline of open-label therapy ) to 19.5 ( endpoint of open-label therapy ) ( p < .001 ) . Similar and significant decreases were noted for the secondary efficacy measures . Adverse events consisted primarily of pharmacologically ( noradrenergic ) expected effects , such as increases in heart rate and blood pressure and a slight decrease in weight . CONCLUSION The results of this interim analysis of an ongoing , open-label study of adults with ADHD support the long-term efficacy , safety , and tolerability of atomoxetine for the treatment of adult ADHD
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 .