Long-term open-label response to atomoxetine in adult ADHD: influence of sex, emotional dysregulation, and double-blind response to atomoxetine

  • Barrie K. Marchant
  • Fred W. Reimherr
  • Corinne Halls
  • Erika D. Williams
  • Robert E. Strong
  • Douglas Kondo
  • Poonam Soni
  • Reid J. Robison
Original Article
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Accepted:

Abstract

A three-year open-label study of atomoxetine in adults with ADHD followed two multicenter, double-blind trials. In the double-blind trials, female gender and higher levels of emotional symptoms were associated with better outcome. Following a 4-week placebo washout period, 384 (of 536) subjects continued into the open-label study. 61% of subjects entering this open-label study remained after 6 months at an average dose of 100 mg/day. Subjects who had previously responded to double-blind atomoxetine achieved maximum response after 8 weeks of open-label medication, but others continued to improve for 36 weeks. Women improved more (7.7 ± 6.4) than men (6.1 ± 6.4) on the Wender–Reimherr Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Scale (WRAADDS) (P = .007) and the Conners’ Adult ADHD Rating Scale (P = .03). Subjects with emotional dysregulation improved more than others on the WRAADDS (P = .001). Responders ultimately improved approximately 60% in attentional, hyperactive/impulsive, and emotional symptoms. Thirty-nine percent of atomoxetine double-blind non-responders became responders during open-label treatment.

Keywords

ADHD Adult Atomoxetine Long-term Emotional dysregulation Gender 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

The initial trial was funded by Eli Lilly and Co., although this reanalysis was not.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Barrie K. Marchant
    • 1
    • 2
  • Fred W. Reimherr
    • 1
  • Corinne Halls
    • 1
  • Erika D. Williams
    • 1
  • Robert E. Strong
    • 1
  • Douglas Kondo
    • 1
  • Poonam Soni
    • 1
  • Reid J. Robison
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Utah School of MedicineSalt Lake CityUSA
  2. 2.Psychiatry Research Clinic, Department of PsychiatryUniversity of Utah Health Sciences CenterSalt Lake CityUSA

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