A prospective, multicenter, open-label assessment of atomoxetine in non-North American children and adolescents with ADHD

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to study treatment response to atomoxetine in a large, multicenter study of non-North American patients with ADHD. METHODS: A total of 604 children and adolescents with ADHD were enrolled in a 10-week open-label trial with atomoxetine prior to randomization to a double-blind relapse prevention phase at 33 sites in the United Kingdom, continental Europe, Israel, South Africa, and Australia. All patients had ADHD symptom severity at least 1.5 standard deviations above United States age and gender norms for their diagnostic subtype as measured by the investigator-scored ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD RS). Outcomes were assessed by analysis of change in the ADHD RS; functional and psychosocial outcomes were assessed using the Child Health Questionnaire (CHQ). RESULTS: At endpoint, ADHD RS total scores decreased by an average of 56.7%, and 69% of patients were rated as having no or minimal symptoms. Significant improvement was observed in psychosocial and functional outcomes. Discontinuations attributed to adverse events were < 4%. CONCLUSION: These open-label data, gathered in an international setting, add to our knowledge of the value of atomoxetine in treating ADHD symptoms, as well as its safety and tolerability.