Efficacy of Atomoxetine on Psychosocial Function of Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

An Open-Label Study of the Efficacy of Atomoxetine Hydrochloride on Quality of Life of Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder With or Without Comorbid Conditions

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of atomoxetine on psychosocial functioning and emotional well being of children and adolescents with ADHD and to evaluate whether and in what measure the presence of comorbid conditions (internalizing and externalizing disorders) influences atomoxetine's ability to improve the quality of life of ADHD subjects.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Child or adolescent patients, male or female outpatients, who are at least 6 years of age, but must not yet have reached their 16th birthday prior to Visit 1, when informed consent is obtained
• Patients must meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for ADHD (any subtype) and score at least 1.5 standard deviations above the age norm for their diagnostic subtype using published norms for the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Subscale (SNAP-IV ADHD Subscale) score at both Visit 1 and 2
• Laboratory results, including serum chemistries, hematology, and urinalysis, must show no clinically significant abnormalities (clinically significant is defined as laboratory values requiring acute medical intervention, indicating a serious medical illness, or requiring further medical evaluation in the judgment of the investigator)
• An electrocardiogram (ECG) must be performed to exclude cardiac diseases at the baseline/screening visit and the results must be reviewed by the investigator at Visit 2 prior to dispensing of study material
• Patients and parents have been judged by the investigator to be reliable to keep appointments for clinic visits and all tests, including venipuncture, and examinations required by the protocol.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who have a documented history of Bipolar I or II disorder, any history of psychosis or pervasive development disorder
• Patients with a history of any seizure disorder (other than febrile seizures) or patients who have taken (or are currently taking) anticonvulsants for seizure control are not eligible to participate
• Patients at serious suicidal risk as assessed by the investigator
• Patients with significant cardiovascular disease or other conditions that could be aggravated by an increased heart rate or increased blood pressure
• Patients who have any medical condition that would increase sympathetic nervous system activity markedly (for example, catecholamine-secreting neural tumor), or who are taking a medication on a daily basis (for example, albuterol, inhalation aerosols, pseudoephedrine), that has sympathomimetic activity. Such medications can be taken on an as-needed basis