Once-a-day oral medication lowers ADHD symptoms in kids

Washington, July 23 (ANI): An oral stimulant given once daily has been found effective in reducing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms in children for upto 13 hours, say researchers.

Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) CII significantly has been found to lower (ADHD) in children aged 6 to 12 up to 13 hours after administration.

The treatment led to significant improvement in behaviour and attention in children at each time point measured, with improvement at 13 hours after administration.

"Pediatric patients may require ADHD symptom improvement both at school and after school," said Dr Sharon Wigal, lead investigator of the study, clinical professor of pediatrics and director of clinical trials in the Child Development Center at the University of California, Irvine.

"These published data are the first to have shown duration of effect of an oral ADHD stimulant in children aged 6 to 12 at 13 hours after administration.

"Physicians and caregivers who are seeking a long-acting medication that provides ADHD symptom improvement from morning through homework and family time may want to consider this Vyvanse study data," she added.

During the study, the researchers assessed the efficacy and safety of Vyvanse in 129 children aged 6 to 12 years with ADHD, who were divided into two groups.

One group received their optimal dose of Vyvanse the first week and placebo the second week. The second group received placebo the first week and their optimal dose of Vyvanse the second week.

According to the researchers, the findings made it evident that Vyvanse can be an important treatment option for children who require duration of ADHD symptom improvement throughout the day.

The study appears in journal Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health. (ANI)