ADHD in Children
Visual Abstract
Atomoxetine Treatment for Pediatric Patients with ADHD and Comorbid Anxiety
Charles Li, MD
October 1, 2022
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Strattera is a non-stimulant drug approved for ADHD in children.
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Researchers ran a clinical trial to see whether it works in children with anxiety and ADHD.
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They found that Strattera reduced ADHD symptoms as expected. It also improved anxiety symptoms.
Study Quote
Research indicates 25%-50% comorbidity of anxiety disorders with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Atomoxetine is a nonstimulant approved for treating ADHD that is not contraindicated in the presence of anxiety disorders. This study compared atomoxetine with placebo in tr...
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Among kids with ADHD, anxiety is pretty common. Around 25 to 50% of kids with ADHD also have anxiety.
Because of this, researchers wanted to see whether Strattera, a medication commonly prescribed to treat ADHD, can work well in children with ADHD and anxiety.
Study Quote
Patients in this double-blind, acute portion of an extended, multicenter trial were randomly assigned to approximately 12 weeks of atomoxetine treatment (n=87) or placebo (n=89). Patients met DSM-IV criteria for both ADHD and anxiety disorder (generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, or ...
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Researchers ran a 12-week clinical trial comparing Strattera and a placebo control. They gave 87 kids Strattera and 89 kids a placebo control. All the kids in the study were diagnosed with both ADHD and an anxiety disorder.
To see whether Strattera could help these patients, they tested the children for ADHD and anxiety before and after the trial.
If Strattera worked for ADHD, researchers would expect that the kids given Strattera would have a more significant reduction in their ADHD symptoms than the children in the control group who were not given Strattera.
Results
Study Quote
Results: Mean ADHD RS total score improved significantly from baseline to endpoint for the atomoxetine group (n=55; -10.5, SD 10.6) relative to placebo (n=58; -1.4, SD 8.3; P<.001). Mean PARS total score also improved significantly from baseline to endpoint for the atomoxetine group (n=5...
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Strattera significantly reduces ADHD symptoms in children with ADHD and anxiety.
Researchers found that kids who were given Strattera showed a significant improvement in their ADHD symptoms, as expected.
The amount of reduction, as measured by a validated clinical questionnaire, was several times greater than the placebo control. The difference was statistically significant.
Strattera reduces anxiety symptoms in children with ADHD and an anxiety disorder.
While Strattera is not approved to treat anxiety in children, researchers wanted to see whether it could help reduce anxiety and ADHD symptoms.
Strattera has a mechanism similar to some of the most commonly prescribed anxiety treatments.
Researchers found that kids given Strattera reduced their anxiety symptoms more than those in the placebo control group. The difference was statistically significant, though less so than the reduction in ADHD symptoms.
Atomoxetine Treatment for Pediatric Patients with ADHD and Comorbid Anxiety
Key Takeaways
Conclusion: Results suggest atomoxetine is efficacious in pediatric patients with ADHD and comorbid anxiety.
This small study confirms that Strattera works in children who have both anxiety and ADHD.
It reduces their ADHD symptoms effectively as expected.
Strattera also appears to help with their anxiety, though it isn’t an approved treatment for anxiety specifically.