An Update on Central Nervous System Stimulant Formulations in Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Stimulants are effective medications to treat the symptoms of ADHD. The multiple available dosage forms allow for individualization of treatment.

Altered circadian profiles in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: An integrative review and theoretical framework for future studies

“…Relatedly, adjustment of dosing and timing of ADHD medication to optimally observe and treat problematic behavior considering its fluctuating expression should be considered. Systematic methods of assessment of time of day effects for clinical purposes need to be developed (Chavez et al, 2009;Pelham et al, 2001;Sonuga-Barke et al, 2004;Swanson et al, 2004). Though the specific mechanisms that may underpin time of day effects in arousal dysregulation are still unknown, such knowledge may guide specific therapeutic choices for individual patients as arousal levels are often the target of focus for interventions.…”

“…Though such protocols typically include ADHD children during summer camps, comparison with typically developing children would be interesting to detect during which specific situations and times of day group differences become more overt. This information would be very useful in the further evaluation of medication effects to treat problematic behavior especially at times when it is more expressed (Chavez et al, 2009;Pelham et al, 2001;Sonuga-Barke et al, 2004;Swanson et al, 2004).…”

Venlafaxine versus methylphenidate in pediatric outpatients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a randomized, double‐blind comparison trial

“…ADHD is a neurobehavioral condition with symptoms that include excessive restlessness, poor attention, and impulsive acts (Dopheide and Pliszka, 2009;Chavez et al, 2009). Estimates show that between 3% and 7% of school-aged children and about 4% of adults have ADHD (Polanczyk et al, 2007).…”

“…Estimates show that between 3% and 7% of school-aged children and about 4% of adults have ADHD (Polanczyk et al, 2007). Despite the wellestablished efficacy and safety of stimulants for ADHD, alternative medications are still needed for several reasons (Chavez et al, 2009;Dopheide and Pliszka, 2009). Many antidepressants affect the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine that are thought to play a role in ADHD; therefore, their use in the treatment of ADHD has been studied to some degree (Banaschewski et al, 2004;Rains et al, 2006;Mohammadi and Akhondzadeh, 2007).…”

Use of adjunctive stimulants in adult bipolar depression

“…It increases synaptic availability of the monoamine neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine by blocking their uptake as well as by increasing their release (Candy et al 2008). Current United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) indications for methylphenidate include the treatment of ADHD and narcolepsy (Chavez et al 2009 ;Thomas & Lipsky 2000). Clinical reports of the use of adjunctive methylphenidate in BD and adult bipolar depression are summarized in Table 1.…”