Six-week open-label reboxetine treatment in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

OBJECTIVE

This open-label study assessed the effectiveness of reboxetine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) resistant to a previous methylphenidate trial.

METHOD

Thirty-one child and adolescent outpatients, aged 8 to 18 (mean age, 11.7; SD = 2.87) years, diagnosed with ADHD were enrolled in a 6-week open-label study. Assessments included rater-administered scales (DSM-IV ADHD Scale; Clinical Global Impressions Scale), parent-administered scales (the Abbreviated Conners Rating Scale), and self-administered-scales for the evaluation of depressive (Children's Depression Inventory) and anxiety (the Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale) symptoms. Reboxetine was initiated and maintained at a dose of 4 mg/day.

RESULTS

A significant decrease in ADHD symptoms, on all scales measured, was noted. Adverse effects were relatively mild and transient. The most common adverse effects were drowsiness/sedation and gastrointestinal complaints.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current open-label study suggest the effectiveness of reboxetine in the treatment of ADHD in methylphenidate-resistant children and adolescents. Double-blind, placebo-, and active comparator-controlled studies are indicated to rigorously test the efficacy of reboxetine in ADHD.