Innovations and recent trends in the treatment of ADHD

Abstract

Initiatives to develop better-tolerated, more efficacious pharmacological agents with improved drug delivery systems have driven recent research in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While stimulants are the primary pharmacotherapy for ADHD, these drugs have a limited duration of action and a subset of patients will either fail to respond to these medications or have side effects that preclude their use. The development of atomoxetine, the first nonstimulant approved for ADHD, has been followed by additional innovative research, such as the methylphenidate transdermal system, modafinil, NRP-104 and cholinergic agents. This review highlights some of the recent trends in ADHD treatment and the current status of promising treatment options that may help to shape the future of ADHD treatment.

Keywords::

• atomoxetine
• attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
• modafinil
• NRP-104
• pharmacotherapy
• stimulants
• transdermal

Notes

Some hyperactive–impulsive or inattentive symptoms that cause impairment were present before the age of 7 years

Some impairment from the symptoms is present in two or more settings (e.g. ,at school [or work] and at home)

There must be clear evidence of clinically significant impairment in social, academic or occupation functioning

The symptoms do not occur exclusively during the course of a pervasive developmental disorder, schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder and are not better accounted for by another mental disorder (e.g., mood disorder, anxiety disorder, dissociative disorder or a personality disorder)

Adapted from [10].