Welcome to the treatments page, where you will be able to read about various types of treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and the underlying co-morbidities that often run alongside it.
After a child or adult is diagnosed with ADHD they are often prescribed a trial on one of the medications used to treat this disorder, it is important to mention that these medications do not cure the disorder, they help to treat the underlying Core Symptoms i.e.
-
Hyperactivity
-
Distractibility
-
Inattentivity
I personally see medication as a tool, which when used correctly can help people with ADHD to lead a fulfilled and productive life, as this has been the case with myself and many others I know, but I accept it is not for everyone.
A Parents Guide To ADHD Janssen-Cilag
Click on the Picture for enlarged view
top
Can Your Child Go Without?
Behavioural therapy for ADHD—and parent retraining, too—can be good alternatives to medication.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can be a distressing diagnosis, but families have more treatment options than they might realize.
Read
full story from US News & World Report
Adderall
Immediate Release
NEW, SIMPLIFIED TREATMENT FOR ATTENTION DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY
DISORDER (ADHD) NOW AVAILABLE IN CANADA
Once Daily Adderall XR™
Lasts For 12 Hours and Can Be Sprinkled on Applesauce
Laval, Quebec (February 3, 2004) – A new, once-daily treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children that lasts 12 hours, comes in six different dosage strengths and can be sprinkled on applesauce is now available in Canada.
Shire BioChem Inc. today announced that Health Canada has approved Adderall XR (mixed salts amphetamine extended-release capsules), an innovative extended release formulation that provides all day symptom control with just one dose. Adderall XR is now commercially available by prescription across the country.
ADHD is characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness severe enough to seriously interfere with a child’s ability to function in an academic or social setting. It is a condition that has been well documented. In North America, ADHD affects between three and seven per cent of school age children and up to 66 per cent of children will continue to show symptoms into adulthood.
Medical experts believe that the once-a-day formulation of Adderall XR will help with compliance. Also, the capsule can be easily opened and sprinkled on applesauce for children who have difficulty swallowing pills. Physicians estimate that between 10 and 20 per cent of patients have difficulty swallowing capsules.
“Adderall XR is a welcome addition to the ADHD treatment arsenal. It has many of the benefits that clinicians seek in treating the condition,” said Dr. Clive Schwartz, a University of Toronto Assistant Professor and Consultant at The Hospital For Sick Children who also has a busy ADHD practice in the community. “What makes this medication especially appealing is that multiple dosing strengths can be tailored to the specific needs of each patient, is taken once-daily and can be sprinkled on applesauce.”
- more -
Adderall XR™ (mixed salts amphetamine extended-release capsules) is a Schedule III Controlled Drug Substance and a trademark of Shire U.S. Inc. used under license by Shire BioChem Inc.
Weiss G, Hechtman L, Milroy T, Perlman T. Psychiatric Status of Hyperactives as Adults: A Controlled Prospective 15-Year Follow-up of 63 Hyperactive Children. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1985;24:211-220
Shire BioChem Inc. market research
|
Page 2 |
NEW TREATMENT FOR ADHD.../2
Adderall XR acts on both the dopamine and norepinephrine transmitters in the brain, which are believed to play critical roles in the pathology and treatment of ADHD. Adderall XR is thought to normalize the levels of both dopamine, to improve attention, and norepinephrine which increases inhibition and enhances the executive functions of the brain such as planning, organizing and managing time.
Adderall XR gives parents greater control over a child’s medication and improves compliance because no midday dosing is required. Once the capsule is taken in the morning before going to school, it provides all day symptom control.
“Once-a-day dosing represents the future of ADHD therapy,” said Dr. Margaret Weiss, clinical associate professor of medicine in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia Children’s and Women’s Health Centre. “ADHD is an all-day disorder, affecting children as they study, play, participate in sports and extracurricular activities, and do homework, so an all-day treatment is needed.
Clinical trials demonstrate that Adderall XR provides a rapid onset, long-acting treatment that children with ADHD need to help them inside and outside the classroom.”
First National Survey on ADHD
A first-ever, in-depth national survey on Canadians’ awareness and knowledge of ADHD, reveals high awareness of ADHD and strong support for treatment.
The survey, conducted by Leger Marketing, also shows that compliance remains difficult, with less than forty per cent of children taking their medication all the time.
Interviews conducted with 1,488 adult Canadians, including 203 parents of children with ADHD, showed that 83 per cent of the general population has heard of ADHD and is familiar with the signs and symptoms of the condition. Seventy-six percent agree that ADHD is a serious condition that requires medical treatment to help children overcome the negative effects of the disease.
The majority of respondents believe that ADHD has a negative impact on a child’s qualityof life (83 per cent) and that, if it is left untreated, children with ADHD may suffer career and social failures later in life (75 per cent).
Kuczenski R, Segal DS. Neurochemistry of amphetamine. In: Cho AK, Segal DS, eds. Amphetamine and its analogs: Psychopharmacology, toxicology, and abuse. San Diego, Calif: Academic Press;1994:81-113.
Wilens TE, Spencer TJ. Pharmacology of amphetamines. In: Tarter RE, Ammerman RE, OTT PJ, eds. Handbook of substance abuse:
Neurobehavioral Pharmacology. New York, NY: Plenum Press;1998:501-513.
Grace AA. Psychostimulant actions on dopamine and limbic system function: relevance to the pathophysiology and treatment of ADHD. In:
Solanto MV, Arnsten AFT, Castellanos FX, eds. Stimulant drugsand ADHD: Basic and clinical neuroscience. New York, NY: Oxford University Press;2001:134-157.
Pliszka SR. Comparing the effects of stimulant and non-stimulant agents on catecholamine function: implications for theories of ADHD: In:
Solanto MV, ArnstenAFT, Castellanos FX, eds. Stimulant drugs and ADHD: Basic and clinical neuroscience. New York, NY: Oxford University Press;2001:332-352.
Survey results are based on 1,344 interviews reflecting the geographic, age and gender distribution of the adult (18+) population in Canada.
|
Page 3 |
NEW TREATMENT FOR ADHD.../3
Eighty-nine percent of parents of children with ADHD reported that their child is taking medication to treat the condition. When asked if their child was able to take their treatment exactly as prescribed, only 40 per cent said their children were able to do so all the time.
Clinical Trials Demonstrate Benefits
The effectiveness of Adderall XR has been studied in two significant placebo-controlled clinical trials involving more than 635 children. The studies showed improvement in symptomatic behaviour and that the medication was equally effective in the early evening as at the beginning of the day.
Approximately 10 million prescriptions for Adderall XR have been written in the United States over the past two years. The most commonly observed side-effects include decrease of appetite, difficulty falling asleep, stomach ache and irritability.**
The Impact of ADHD
“ADHDcan interfere with a child’s ability to learn and to make and keep friends,” said Dr. Sohail Khattak, who is a staff at the Hospital for Sick Children and operates the The Kids Clinic (a children’s health clinic in Whitby, Ontario). “Left untreated, this can have life-long consequences.”
Studies show that the consequences of not treating ADHD can be serious. Children with ADHD who do not receive treatment are at higher risk of experiencing problems ranging from increased substance abuse to antisocial behaviour and poor self-esteem.
Although there is no ‘cure’, ADHD can usually be successfully managed with a combination of educational approaches, psychological and behavioural therapies, social resources and medication. A recent study concluded that carefully monitored medication in combination with behavioural therapy is more effective than behavioural therapy alone.
“It is important to understand that ADHD is not due to external factors and that it is not the behaviour of normally active children. Proper treatment can make a great difference in a child’s current and future quality of life,” said Dr. Lily Hechtman, director, Research Division of Child Psychiatry, Department of Child Psychiatry, Montreal Children’s Hospital.
Shire BioChem supports the use of medication only after a thorough assessment and accurate diagnosis of ADHD by a physician. “Adderall XR represents an important advance in the delivery of ADHD medication which has been embraced by physicians, patients and care givers in the United States. We are proud to now be able to bring the benefits of this new medication to Canadians,” said Joseph Rus, President and CEO, Shire BioChem
Inc.
** Please refer to the Product Monograph of Adderall XR for Contraindications, Warnings and Precautions regarding the use of Adderall XR™.
Adderall XR™ (mixed salts amphetamine extended release capsules) is a Schedule III Controlled Drug Substance.
Biederman J, Wilens T, Mick E, Spencer T, Faraone SV. Pharmacotherapy of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Reduces Risk for
Substance Use Disorder. Pediatrics. 1999;104(2):1 -5.
The MTA Cooperative Group. A 14-Month Trial of Treatment Strategies for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry.
1999;56:1073-1086.
|
Page 4 |
NEW TREATMENT FOR ADHD.../4
Shire BioChem Inc.
Based in Laval, Quebec, Shire BioChem Inc. is a subsidiary of Shire Pharmaceuticals Group plc (LSE: SHP, Nasdaq: SHPGY, TSX: SHQ). Shire Pharmaceuticals is a global specialty pharmaceutical company with a strategic focus on meeting the needs of the specialist physician and currently focuses on developing projects and marketing products in the areas of central nervous system (CNS), gastrointestinal (GI) and renal diseases. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.shire.com.
For more information, to request b-roll footage or to arrange an interview with a physician,
please contact:
Toronto:
Ellen Woodger (Ext. 223)
Amorell Saunders N’daw (Ext. 242)
Lindsay Wray (Ext. 238)
at Veritas Communications 416-482-2248.
Quebec City:
Nicole Rochat at Veritas Communications
418-524-7228.
For more information, please contact:
Lorne Fox,
Shire BioChem Inc.
450-978-6243.
For Immediate Release
NEW, SIMPLIFIED TREATMENT FOR ATTENTION DEFICIT/HYPERACTIVITY
DISORDER (ADHD) NOW AVAILABLE IN CANADA
Once Daily Adderall XR™
Lasts For 12 Hours and Can Be Sprinkled on Apple sauce
Laval, Quebec (February 3, 2004) – A new, once-daily treatment for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children that lasts 12 hours, comes in six different dosage strengths and can be sprinkled on applesauce is now available in Canada.
Shire BioChem Inc. today announced that Health Canada has approved Adderall XR (mixed salts amphetamine extended-release capsules), an innovative extended release formulation that provides all day symptom control with just one dose. Adderall XR is now commercially available by prescription across the country.
ADHD is characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness severe enough to seriously interfere with a child’s ability to function in an academic or social setting. It is a condition that has been well documented. In North America, ADHD affects between three and seven per cent of school age children and up to 66 per cent of children will continue to show symptoms into adulthood.
Medical experts believe that the once-a-day formulation of Adderall XR will help with compliance. Also, the capsule can be easily opened and sprinkled on applesauce for children who have difficulty swallowing pills. Physicians estimate that between 10 and 20 per cent of patients have difficulty swallowing capsules.
“Adderall XR is a welcome addition to the ADHD treatment arsenal. It has many of the benefits that clinicians seek in treating the condition,” said Dr. Clive Schwartz, a University of Toronto Assistant Professor and Consultant at The Hospital For Sick Children who also has a busy ADHD practice in the community. “What makes this medication especially appealing is that multiple dosing strengths can be tailored to the specific needs of each patient, is taken once-daily and can be sprinkled on applesauce.”
- more -
Adderall XR™ (mixed salts amphetamine extended-release capsules) is a Schedule III Controlled Drug Substance and a
trademark of Shire U.S. Inc. used under license by Shire BioChem Inc.
1 Weiss G, Hechtman L, Milroy T, Perlman T. Psychiatric Status of Hyperactives as Adults: A Controlled Prospective 15-Year
Follow-up of 63 Hyperactive Children. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 1985;24:211-220
2 Shire BioChem Inc. market research
|
Page 2 |
NEW TREATMENT FOR ADHD.../2
Adderall XR acts on both the dopamine and norepinephrine transmitters in the brain, which are believed to play critical roles in the pathology and treatment of ADHD. Adderall XR is thought to normalize the levels of both dopamine, to improve attention, and norepinephrine which increases inhibition and enhances the executive functions of the brain such as planning, organizing and managing time.
Adderall XR gives parents greater control over a child’s medication and improves compliance because no midday dosing is required. Once the capsule is taken in the morning before going to school, it provides all day symptom control.
“Once-a-day dosing represents the future of ADHD therapy,” said Dr. Margaret Weiss, clinical associate professor of medicine in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia Children’s and Women’s Health Centre. “ADHD is an all-day disorder, affecting children as they study, play, participate in sports and extracurricular activities, and do homework, so an all-day treatment is needed.
Clinical trials demonstrate that Adderall XR provides a rapid onset, long-acting treatment that children with ADHD need to help them inside and outside the classroom.”
First National Survey on ADHD
A first-ever, in-depth national survey on Canadians’ awareness and knowledge of ADHD, reveals high awareness of ADHD and strong support for treatment.
The survey, conducted by Leger Marketing, also shows that compliance remains difficult, with less than forty per cent of children taking their medication all the time.
Interviews conducted with 1,488 adult Canadians, including 203 parents of children with ADHD, showed that 83 per cent of the general population has heard of ADHD and is familiar with the signs and symptoms of the condition. Seventy-six percent agree that ADHD is a serious condition that requires medical treatment to help children overcome the negative effects of the disease.
The majority of respondents believe that ADHD has a negative impact on a child’s qualityof life (83 per cent) and that, if it is left untreated, children with ADHD may suffer career and social failures later in life (75 per cent).
- more -
Kuczenski R, Segal DS. Neurochemistry of amphetamine. In: Cho AK, Segal DS, eds. Amphetamine and its analogs: Psychopharmacology,
toxicology, and abuse. San Diego, Calif: Academic Press;1994:81-113.
Wilens TE, Spencer TJ. Pharmacology of amphetamines. In: Tarter RE, Ammerman RE, OTT PJ, eds. Handbook of substance abuse:
Neurobehavioral Pharmacology. New York, NY: Plenum Press;1998:501-513.
Grace AA. Psychostimulant actions on dopamine and limbic system function: relevance to the pathophysiology and treatment of ADHD. In:
Solanto MV, Arnsten AFT, Castellanos FX, eds. Stimulant drugsand ADHD: Basic and clinical neuroscience. New York, NY: Oxford
University Press;2001:134-157.
Pliszka SR. Comparing the effects of stimulant and non-stimulant agents on catecholamine function: implications for theories of ADHD: In:
Solanto MV, ArnstenAFT, Castellanos FX, eds. Stimulant drugs and ADHD: Basic and clinical neuroscience. New York, NY: Oxford
University Press;2001:332-352.
Survey results are based on 1,344 interviews reflecting the geographic, age and gender distribution of the adult (18+) population in Canada.
Margin of error is plus or minus 2.7 per cent, 19 times out of 20.
|
Page 3 |
NEW TREATMENT FOR ADHD.../3
Eighty-nine percent of parents of children with ADHD reported that their child is taking medication to treat
the condition. When asked if their child was able to take their treatment exactly as prescribed, only 40 per
cent said their children were able to do so all the time.
Clinical Trials Demonstrate Benefits
The effectiveness of Adderall XR has been studied in two significant placebo-controlled clinical trials involving more than 635 children. The studies showed improvement in symptomatic behaviour and that the medication was equally effective in the early evening as at the beginning of the day.
Approximately 10 million prescriptions for Adderall XR have been written in the United States over the past two years. The most commonly observed side-effects include decrease of appetite, difficulty falling asleep, stomach ache and irritability.**
The Impact of ADHD
“ADHDcan interfere with a child’s ability to learn and to make and keep friends,” said Dr. Sohail Khattak, who is a staff at the Hospital for Sick Children and operates the The Kids Clinic (a children’s health clinic in Whitby, Ontario). “Left untreated, this can have life-long consequences.”
Studies show that the consequences of not treating ADHD can be serious. Children with ADHD who do not receive treatment are at higher risk of experiencing problems ranging from increased substance abuse to antisocial behaviour and poor self-esteem.
Although there is no ‘cure’, ADHD can usually be successfully managed with a combination of educational approaches, psychological and behavioural therapies, social resources and medication. A recent study concluded that carefully monitored medication in combination with behavioural therapy is more effective than behavioural therapy alone.
“It is important to understand that ADHD is not due to external factors and that it is not the behaviour of normally active children. Proper treatment can make a great difference in a child’s current and future quality of life,” said Dr. Lily Hechtman, director, Research Division of Child Psychiatry, Department of Child Psychiatry, Montreal Children’s Hospital.
Shire BioChem supports the use of medication only after a thorough assessment and accurate diagnosis of ADHD by a physician. “Adderall XR represents an important advance in the delivery of ADHD medication which has been embraced by physicians, patients and care givers in the United States.
We are proud to now be able to bring the benefits of this new medication to Canadians,” said Joseph Rus, President and CEO, Shire BioChem Inc.
- more -
** Please refer to the Product Monograph of Adderall XR for Contraindications, Warnings and Precautions regarding the use of Adderall XR™.
Adderall XR™ (mixed salts amphetamine extended release capsules) is a Schedule III Controlled Drug Substance.
Biederman J, Wilens T, Mick E, Spencer T, Faraone SV. Pharmacotherapy of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Reduces Risk for
Substance Use Disorder. Pediatrics. 1999;104(2):1 -5.
The MTA Cooperative Group. A 14-Month Trial of Treatment Strategies for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry.
1999;56:1073-1086.
Dexedrine
(dextroamphetamine sulphate)
Click on the Pictures for enlarged views
Effexor
(venlafaxine)
small.jpg)
small.jpg)
small.jpg)
small.jpg)
Click on the Pictures for enlarged views
Equasym XL™ / Metadate CD™
Other available trademarks: Equasym™, Equasym XL™, Metadate ER™, Metadate CD™
Equasym XL™ (methylphenidate) and Metadate CD™ (methylphenidate HCl, USP) (CII) are extended-release treatments for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
As part of a comprehensive treatment programme, Equasym XL™ and Metadate CD™ relieve the symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness that are typical of ADHD.
In the UK, Equasym XL™ is used as part of a comprehensive treatment programme for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) when remedial measures alone are insufficient in children over 6 years of age.
In the USA, Metadate® CD (equivalent to Equasym XL™) extended release capsules are used for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Metadate® CD should not be used in children under 6 years of age.
Short-acting formulations are also available to provide flexible dosing possibilities: Equasym™ and Metadate ER™.
-
SmPC Equasym™ (UK). Sourced from www.medicines.org.uk
-
Prescribing information Metadate®CD (USA) Aug-2008 | .pdf file, 250Kb
Melatonin
Click on the Picture for enlarged view
OROS New ADHD Medication
The new once-daily 12 hour treatment from Janssen-Cilag for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder has a unique Osmotically controlled Release System called OROS. This special medication has a rapid onset of action and sustained 12 hour efficacy.(1,2) Janssen-Cilag's new therapy delivers the proven effect and safety of standard ADHD treatment for controlling hyperactivity, inattention and impulsiveness.(3,4,5)
The active ingredient in this new dosage form is recognised
globally as a first-line treatment in ADHD (3,4,5,6,7,8,9). The
Multimodal Treatment Study (a pivotal study in the field of ADHD) suggests that
effective stimulant medication should cover a full 12 hour day.(3)
The new medication from Janssen-Cilag is the only long-acting therapy
recommended by the European Clinical Guidelines.(4)
The unique Osmotically controlled Release delivery System (OROS) rapidly
releases 22% of the entire dose of medication within one hour of being taken.
The system then delivers the medication in an ascending concentration profile
for 10-12 hours, reducing the up and down effects associated with multiple doses
of short acting medicines.(1,2) This means that a single dose of
Janssen-Cilag's new treatment controls symptoms through a full 12 hour period.
12 hour treatment for ADHD from Janssen-Cilag lasts
'from home through homework' and is
available on prescription from your doctor.
For more information
Click here for the international site.
Risperdal
Risperidone
Risperidone (pronounced Ris-PEE-ri-dōne) is an atypical antipsychotic used to
treat adolescent schizophrenia, the mixed and manic states associated with
bipolar disorder, and irritability in children with autism. The drug was
developed by Janssen-Cilag and is sold under the trade name Risperdal in the
Netherlands, United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Spain and
several other countries, Risperdal or Ridal in New Zealand, Sizodon or Riscalin
in India, Rispolept in Eastern Europe, and Belivon, or Rispen elsewhere.
Risperidone was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
in 1993[1] for the treatment of schizophrenia.
On August 22, 2007, Risperdal was approved as the only drug agent available for
treatment of schizophrenia in youth ages 13–18; it was also approved that same
day for treatment of bipolar disorder in youth and children ages 10–18, joining
lithium. Risperidone contains the functional groups of benzisoxazole and
piperidine as part of its molecular structure. In 2003 the FDA approved
risperidone for the short-term treatment of the mixed and manic states
associated with bipolar disorder. In 2006 the FDA approved risperidone for the
treatment of irritability in children and adolescents with autism.[2] The FDA's
decision was based in part on a study of autistic children with severe and
enduring problems of violent meltdowns, aggression, and self-injury; risperidone
is not recommended for autistic children with mild aggression and explosive
behaviour without an enduring pattern.[3] Like other atypical antipsychotics,
risperidone has also been used off-label for the treatment of anxiety disorders,
such as obsessive-compulsive disorder; severe, treatment-resistant depression
with or without psychotic features; Tourette syndrome; disruptive behaviour
disorders in children; and eating disorders, among others. In two small studies
risperidone was reported to successfully treat the symptoms of phencyclidine
psychosis due to acute intoxication[4] and chronic use.[5]
A 2009 Cochrane Library review found no evidence from randomized controlled
trials that risperidone is effective for the treatment of attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in people with intellectual disabilities.[6] A
multi-year UK study by the Alzheimer's Research Trust suggested that this and
other neuroleptic anti-psychotic drugs commonly given to Alzheimer's patients
with mild behavioural problems often made their condition worse.
Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
Brand name: Ritalin - instant-release
Methylphenidate is the most commonly prescribed psychostimulant and is used in the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder,
Methylphenidate works on the central nervous system it is a stimulant derived from amphetamine thought to exert its effect by enhancing dopaminergic transmission in the brain.
Now Novartis
It was first used to treat children with ADHD or ADD in the 1960s, known at the time as hyperactivity or Minimal Brain Dysfunction.
Delivery formulations
Ritalin 10 mg pill (Ciba/Novartis)
All media are in milligrams.
Tablet
-
Ritalin: 5, 10 or 20 mg tablets.
-
Ritalin SR: 20 mg controlled-release tablets.
-
Attenta: 10 mg tablets.
-
Methylin: 5, 10 or 20 mg tablets.
-
Methylin ER: 10 and 20 mg controlled-release tablets.
-
Metadate ER: 10 and 20 mg controlled-release tablets.
-
Concerta: 18, 36, 54 and 72 mg controlled-release tablets. (goes off patent in 2018)
-
Equasym: 5, 10, 20 or 30 mg tablets.
-
Rubifen: 5, 10 or 20 mg tablets.
Capsules
-
Ritalin LA: 10, 20, 30 or 40 mg controlled-release capsules.
-
Metadate CD: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or 60 mg controlled-release capsules.
-
Biphentin: 10, 15, 30, 40, or 60 mg suspended release capsules.
Patches
- Daytrana 10, 15, 20 or 30 mg controlled-release patches (1.1, 1.6, 2.2 or 3.3 mg/hour for 9 hours).
Information taken from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylphenidate#Tablet
Strattera
(atomoxetine)
|
Main Use |
Active Ingredient |
Manufacturer |
|
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
|
Atomoxetine hydrochloride |
Lilly |
How does it work?
Strattera capsules contain the active ingredient
atomoxetine hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called a selective
noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitor. It is a non-stimulant medicine used to
treat attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
Atomoxetine works in the brain, where it increases
the levels of a natural chemical called noradrenaline. Noradrenaline is
involved in passing messages between brain cells. Noradrenaline is
considered to play an important role in regulating attention, impulsiveness
and activity levels.
We don't fully understood how raising the levels
of noradrenaline in the brain helps ADHD. However, the medicine has been
shown to help control the symptoms of ADHD, and this may improve behaviour
at school, self-esteem and family functioning.
Atomoxetine can be used to treat the symptoms of
ADHD in children aged six years and over and adolescents. It will only be
prescribed once a definite diagnosis of ADHD has been made, usually by a
psychiatrist or a paediatrician specialising in ADHD. This specialist will
also prescribe the medicine. It should be used as part of a comprehensive
treatment programme involving behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, and
educational techniques to help the child learn appropriate behaviour, as the
medicine is not a cure in itself.
If the child is still taking the medicine after a
year, it is recommended that they are re-evaluated by their ADHD specialist
to make sure the medicine is still producing a beneficial effect.
In some cases it may be appropriate for
adolescents to continue treatment into adulthood.
What is it used for?
-
Attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) in children aged six years and over and adolescents.
The manufacturer states that there may potentially be an increased chance of side effects if this medicine is taken in combination with other medicines that affect noradrenaline. These include the following:
-
antidepressants such as imipramine, venlafaxine, mirtazapine, reboxetine
-
the decongestants pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. (These are found in several non-prescription cough and cold remedies, so always check with your pharmacist before using these in combination with atomoxetine.)
The following medicines may reduce the breakdown of atomoxetine by the liver and so could increase the level of atomoxetine in the blood:
-
fluoxetine
-
paroxetine
-
quinidine
-
terbinafine.
If any of these medicines
are used in combination with atomoxetine, your doctor may need to adjust
your dose of atomoxetine.
Other medicines containing the same active
ingredient
There are currently no other medicines available
in the UK that contain atomoxetine as the active ingredient.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100005083.html
Eli Lilly and Company Limited
Lilly House, Priestley Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG24 9NL
Telephone:
+44 (0)1256 315 000
Fax:
+44 (0)1256 775 858
WWW:
http://www.lilly.co.uk
Medical Information e-mail:
ukmedinfo@lilly.com
Customer Care direct line:
+44 (0)1256 315 999
Medical Information Fax:
+44 (0)1256 775 569
Read more:
More information about this product
Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC):
Strattera 10mg, 18mg, 25mg,
40mg, 60mg or 80mg hard capsules.
Medicine Guides:
Strattera
http://emc.medicines.org.uk/medicine/14549/PIL/ Strattera 10mg, 18mg, 25mg,
40mg, 60mg or 80mg hard capsules.
Read more:
http://emc.medicines.org.uk/medicine/14549#ixzz0MMYUfePa
Mental Health Patient Survey
Professor David Clark, Director of the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma, SLaM and Professor of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London.
This year's national mental health patient survey results, published on 11 September 2008 by the Healthcare Commission.
The fifth national mental health patient survey took place between January and April 2008. The survey involved 68 trusts (including combined mental health and social care trusts and those primary care trusts that provide mental health services) across England.
The survey involved the distribution of questionnaires to a random sample of 850 service users from every mental health trust. Those eligible for inclusion in the survey were service users aged 16 years or older, who received services under the Care Programme Approach between 1 July and 30 September 2007 but who were not inpatients during that time. Nationally, responses were received from over 14,000 people - an overall response rate of 35% (SLaM’s response rate was 29%). The survey results for all mental health trusts are published at:
www.healthcarecommission.org.uk
Download the report here
Public Invited To Quiz Physicians Over
Local Health Service Review
In Scarborough, Ryedale, Whitby, Bridlington and Driffield
Dates and Times for October 2008
Click on the Pictures for enlarged views
Wide variations' in Ritalin use |
|||||
Prescribing rates for the attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drug Ritalin vary widely across England, figures show.
Official statistics show a 23-fold difference between the lowest and highest prescribing areas.
The Liberal Democrats called for an "urgent analysis" but the government said prescribing was down to doctors.
The Wirral had the highest rate, with pharmacists dispensing 144 prescriptions for every 1,000 children.
But local health chiefs said high rates might reflect a positive hands-on approach by GPs.
Ritalin is prescribed in the UK for children diagnosed with ADHD. Many doctors say it can help children control their behaviour and perform better at home and school. However, there have been concerns that the drug, a type of amphetamine, is being over-prescribed.
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, which offers guidance on treatments in England, has endorsed the use of Ritalin in some cases of ADHD. In the Wirral, the prescribing rate of 144 prescriptions per 1,000 children under the age of 15, compares with an English primary care trust average of 43, figures highlighted by the Health Service Journal show. Other areas with rates at least double the average included the Isle of Wight, Great Yarmouth and Waveney, County Durham and Medway in Kent, while Stoke-on-Trent had the lowest rate. Gary Sendall, who runs a support group for older ADHD patients in the Wirral, said the local NHS provided a good, responsive service for children with suspected ADHD. He said: "To be honest, it's quite disappointing that Ritalin is criticised - although it's not the answer for everyone, it can help a lot of people." Misleading A spokesman for the ADHD charity ADDISS said: "In some areas it is much harder for a child to receive proper assessment, be diagnosed with ADHD and treated appropriately. There are undoubtedly wide variations."
She said the Wirral was generally regarded as a "forward looking" area in terms of ADHD care. Wirral PCT, while acknowledging that the figure was higher than in other PCT areas, said this could be misleading. A spokesman said there were roughly 800 people receiving Ritalin in a population of 335,000. He said "excellent" specialist services meant more children were likely to be diagnosed with ADHD and its more highly trained GPs were more likely to be prepared to take over responsibility for repeat prescriptions from hospital teams. Both of these factors would swell Ritalin prescribing figures for the area, he suggested, as hospital Ritalin prescriptions would not appear in these statistics. A Department of Health spokesman said any decision to prescribe Ritalin was a "clinical" one. He said the statistics related only to items dispensed, rather than the actual number of children taking the drug. But Liberal Democrat health spokesman Norman Lamb said: "These are dramatic variations which do not appear to be driven by need. "It looks as though some parts of the country are massively oversubscribing Ritalin, while others are way below average. "An urgent analysis of this extraordinary variation is required." |
Although
its not the answer for everyone, it can help a lot of people 