|
New ADHD Drug
December 24, 2002, from The Washington Post
For more articles visit
www.bridges4kids.org.
Starting in January, children and adults suffering from
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will have a
new treatment option not associated with the insomnia, loss of
appetite or onset of tics that are common side effects of
widely used drugs like Concerta, Adderol XR and Ritalin.
The new drug, Strattera (atomoxetine), produced by Eli Lilly
and Company, is the first new ADHD drug approved in 30 years.
Unlike the other ADHD drugs on the market, Strattera is not
classified as a stimulant. That means it's not a controlled
substance, so patients (or their parents) can have physicians
phone in refills instead of having to vist the doctor's office
every month for a new prescription.
The American Psychiatric Association estimates that 3 to 7
percent of U.S. children and 4 percent of adults suffer from
ADHD, symptoms of which include problems paying attention,
fidgeting, excessive talking and making careless mistakes.
Strattera, taken in capsule form once of twice daily, remains
effective for up to 24 hours even though it's detectable in
the bloodstream for only five hours. An Eli Lilly spokesman
says the drug's cost will likely be "comparable to other
newer, branded prescription drugs for ADHD," which cost about
$75 to $80 per month.
|
