Atomoxetine Treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in 3-6-Year-Old Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Atomoxetine is indicated for the management of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years. Few studies have assessed the safety and tolerability of atomoxetine in younger patients. This retrospective cohort study included 133 children aged 3-6 year...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Children (Basel) 2024-01, Vol.11 (2), p.163
Main Authors: Alsayouf, Hamza A, Alsarhan, Osama, Khreisat, Wael, Daoud, Azhar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
adverse events
atomoxetine
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Autism
autism spectrum disorder
Autistic children
Behavior
Care and treatment
Caregivers
Cohort analysis
Comorbidity
Drug dosages
Electrocardiography
Families & family life
Guardians
Hyperactivity
Impulsivity
Medical research
Medicine, Experimental
Mental disorders
Parents & parenting
safety
Socialization
Vital signs
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Summary:Atomoxetine is indicated for the management of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years. Few studies have assessed the safety and tolerability of atomoxetine in younger patients. This retrospective cohort study included 133 children aged 3-6 years who were diagnosed with ADHD comorbid with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The primary endpoint was the evaluation of the safety profile of atomoxetine. In total, 50 patients (37.6%) experienced adverse events (AEs), which led to treatment discontinuation in 23 patients (17.3%). The most common AEs were gastrointestinal (24.1%), aggression or hostility (12.8%), and increased hyperactivity (9.0%). In the 23 patients who discontinued treatment, all the AEs resolved after treatment ceased. Among the 110 patients who completed at least 6 months' treatment, atomoxetine titrated to a dose of 1.2-1.8 mg/kg/day appeared to be well tolerated and effective. The Clinical Global Impression-Improvement score improved to 1 ("very much improved") and 2 ("much improved") in 62.4% and 20.3% of children, respectively, at their last visit. Overall, atomoxetine appeared to be well tolerated in younger children with comorbid ADHD and ASD. Nevertheless, close patient monitoring remains essential, and the study limitations necessitate caution in generalizing these findings to broader populations. Long-term prospective studies are required.
ISSN:2227-9067
2227-9067
DOI:10.3390/children11020163