A randomized, placebo-controlled study of once-daily atomoxetine in the school setting in children with ADHD.

Author(s): Weiss M, Tannock R, Kratochvil C, Dunn D, Velez-Borras J, Thomason C, Tamura R, Kelsey D, Stevens L, Allen AJ

Affiliation(s): University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

Publication date & source: 2005-07, J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry., 44(7):647-55.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE: Five studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of atomoxetine compared with placebo in reducing symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) based on parent reports. The primary objective of this clinical trial was to assess the efficacy of once-daily atomoxetine compared with placebo using teacher reports. METHOD: One hundred fifty-three patients aged 8-12 years were randomly assigned to receive once-daily atomoxetine or placebo in a 2:1 ratio for 7 weeks. ADHD symptoms at school were primarily assessed by baseline-to-endpoint change on the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-IV-Teacher Version: Investigator administered and scored (ADHDRS-IV-Teacher:Inv) as rated by investigators using teacher reports. RESULTS: ADHDRS-IV-Teacher:Inv total scores were significantly lower for children treated with atomoxetine compared with those treated with placebo (p = .001). Similar results were observed for the inattentive (p = .016) and hyperactive/impulsive (p < .001) ADHDRS-IV-Teacher:Inv subscales, the clinician-rated Clinical Global Impressions severity scale (p = .001), the Conners Global Index-Teacher scale (p = .008), and the Conners Parent Rating Scale-Revised: Short Form ADHD Index T-Score (p < .001). Discontinuations due to adverse events were low in both groups (atomoxetine 5.9%, placebo 0%, p = .096). CONCLUSIONS: This study extends previous results based on parent reports showing that once-daily administration of atomoxetine is safe and effective in improving ADHD symptoms in children and demonstrates that outcomes at school are similar when symptoms are reported by teachers.