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This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-month trial examined the efficacy and safety of once-daily morning-dosed atomoxetine in adult patients with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the efficacy of atomoxetine in ameliorating symptoms through the evening hours. Patients received once-daily atomoxetine (n = 250) or placebo (n = 251) in the morning for approximately 6 months. The efficacy measures included the Adult ADHD Investigator Symptom Rating Scale (AISRS), Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale-Investigator Rated: Screening Version, Clinical Global Impressions-ADHD-Severity of Illness, and Adult ADHD Quality of Life Scale. Overall, 94 patients randomized to atomoxetine and 112 patients randomized to placebo completed the study. On the AISRS total score, Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale-Investigator Rated: Screening Version evening index total score, Clinical Global Impressions-ADHD-Severity of Illness score, and Adult ADHD Quality of Life Scale total score, atomoxetine was statistically superior to placebo at the 10-week and 6-month time points. From the visitwise analysis, the mean (SD) AISRS total scores for atomoxetine decreased from 38.2 (7.5) at baseline to 21.4 (12.3) at the 6-month end point compared with 38.6 (7.0) to 25.8 (13.2) for placebo (P = 0.035). Nausea, dry mouth, fatigue, decreased appetite, urinary hesitation, and erectile dysfunction were the treatment-emergent adverse events reported significantly more often with atomoxetine. Discontinuations due to adverse events were 17.2% and 5.6% for atomoxetine and placebo, respectively (P < 0.001). Once-daily morning-dosed atomoxetine is efficacious for treating ADHD in adults when measured 10 weeks and 6 months after initiating treatment. Atomoxetine demonstrated significant efficacy that continued into the evening. Adverse events were similar to previous trials.
Adler et al. (Wed,) studied this question.