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Background and objective Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder that typically begins in childhood and often persists into adulthood. Recent phase III trials have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of viloxazine extended-release capsules (viloxazine ER; Qelbree ® ) in pediatrics (6–17 years of age). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of viloxazine ER in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Methods This was a phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, two-arm trial in adults (18–65 years of age) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Eligible subjects were randomized 1:1 to viloxazine ER (flexible dose of 200–600 mg/day) or matched placebo. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline at end of study (week 6) in the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Rating Scale (AISRS) total score. The key secondary endpoint was the change from baseline at end of study in the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity of Illness (CGI-S) score. Additional secondary outcome measures included the AISRS Inattention and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity subscales, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult (BRIEF-A), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 Item (GAD-7), and the Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I); each was analyzed at end of study. Responder rates on CGI scales and the AISRS were also assessed. Results A total of 374 subjects were randomized. At end of study, the mean viloxazine ER dose was 504 mg. The reduction in the change from baseline at end of study AISRS total score (least-square means ± standard error) was significantly greater in subjects treated with viloxazine ER (−15.5 ± 0.91) compared with placebo (−11.7 ± 0.90), p = 0.0040. The reduction in the CGI-S score was also significantly greater in subjects treated with viloxazine ER (−1.4 ± 0.10) compared with placebo (−1.0 ± 0.10), p = 0.0023. The viloxazine ER group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in the AISRS Inattention ( p = 0.0015) and Hyperactivity/Impulsivity ( p = 0.0380) subscales, the CGI-I ( p = 0.0076), and the BRIEF-A Global Executive Composite ( p = 0.0468) and Metacognition Index ( p = 0.0100). Analysis of categorical secondary endpoints revealed that the viloxazine ER group had a significantly higher AISRS 30% response rate compared with placebo ( p = 0.0395); all other comparisons were not significant. Many treatment effects (including the primary and key secondary endpoints) were significant by week 2. The most common treatment-related adverse events that occurred in ≥5% of subjects receiving viloxazine ER were insomnia (14.8%), fatigue (11.6%), nausea (10.1%), decreased appetite (10.1%), dry ...

MTS applied to both hip and scapular areas resulted in quantifiable plasma levels of d,l-MPH. Bioavailability of MPH from the same transdermal delivery system appears to differ substantially when applied to two different skin surfaces in young children but with similar overall skin effects assessments.

Extended-release guanfacine (Intuniv) is a novel long-acting, once-daily formulation of guanfacine indicated for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in 6 to 17 year old children and adolescents. In doses 1 to 4 mg/day, guanfacine extended release (GXR) significantly improves the symptoms of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity in ADHD youngsters compared with placebo. Because of different pharmacokinetics, GXR is not substitutable on a mg-for-mg basis with immediate release guanfacine. Although extended release guanfacine does not demonstrate clinically significant ECG changes, mild slowing of the heart rate and some lowering of SBP and DBP does occur and requires vital sign monitoring during treatment. Children with a clinically significant cardiovascular history are not eligible for GXR therapy. Future research is exploring GXR effectiveness in ADHD complicated by oppositional defiant symptoms, ADHD complicated by tic disorders, posttraumatic stress disorders, and impulsive aggression in ADHD youngsters.

Objectives: Clinical trials in psychiatry frequently report results from lengthy, comprehensive assessments to characterize a subject emotionally, cognitively, and behaviorally before and after treatment. However, the potential treatment implications of these results and how they translate into clinical practice remain unclear. Conversely, the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scales are quick, intuitive assessments used to assess the functional impact of a treatment in clinically relevant terms. The objectives of the present analyses are to translate scores from comprehensive assessments of symptom severity and functional impairment into clinically meaningful CGI levels. Methods: These post-hoc analyses use data integrated from four pivotal Phase 3 trials in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents treated with the novel nonstimulant SPN-812 (Viloxazine Extended-Release). In this study, we evaluated the ADHD Rating Scale-5 (ADHD-RS-5) and Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Parent (WFIRS-P), assessments of symptom severity and functional impairment, respectively, by linking these scales with the CGI scales at baseline and end of study. Results: For participants that improved, a one-level change on the CGI-Improvement (CGI-I) was associated with a 10–15-point change on the ADHD-RS-5, and a 0.2–0.5-point change on the WFIRS-P. On the CGI-I, ratings of much improved and very much improved were associated with a percent score decrease (i.e., improvement) of ∼55% and 80% on the ADHD-RS-5 and ∼40% and 70% on the WFIRS-P, respectively. Differences between children and adolescents were minor and are unlikely to be clinically meaningful. Conclusion: These post-hoc analyses provide clinically meaningful benchmarks for the interpretation of scores on the ADHD-RS-5 and WFIRS-P in terms of CGI evaluations in subjects with ADHD. These results may be useful for physicians seeking to understand a treatment's potential impact on their ADHD patients or for researchers looking to define their study results within a clinically relevant context. Data are from clinical trials NCT03247530, NCT03247543, NCT03247517, and NCT03247556.