Comparison of Slow and Fast Transition From Stimulants to Atomoxetine in Children and Adolescents With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD)

A Randomized, Controlled, Open-Label Comparison Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Slow Transitioning Compared With Fast Transitioning From a Stimulant Medication to Atomoxetine in Pediatric and Adolescent Outpatients With DSM-IV Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Children and adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) who are not tolerating or not responding well to stimulant therapy will be included in this study. Two different strategies for transition from Stimulant to Atomoxetine will be used: Slow (10 weeks) and fast (2 weeks). Changes in ADHD symptoms and tolerability of medication will be compared between the two different switching approaches.

Study B4Z-EW-LYFJ is a phase IV multicentre, open label, controlled study in approximately 120 patients with ADHD from 6 years to 16 years of age. After the screening period, patients will be randomized (centrally in a 1:1 ratio) either to a transition period of 10 weeks (slow switching arm) or to a transition period of 2 weeks (fast switching arm). After completion of the 10 week open phase patients will be treated for a further 4 weeks with atomoxetine.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Outpatients between 6-16 years of age
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) diagnostic criteria for ADHD must be met
• Normal laboratory and electrocardiogram (ECG) results
• Normal intelligence
• Must have unsatisfactory symptom response to stimulant therapy or experience of adverse events while on stimulant therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• Less than 20 kg or more than 70 kg at study entry
• Concomitant major psychiatry disorders, drug or alcohol abuse or serious suicide risk
• Medical conditions such as seizures, severe allergies, glaucoma, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or acute or unstable medical conditions
• Taking of anticonvulsants, antihypertensive agents, medication with sympathomimetic activity, psychotropic medications, monoamine oxidase inhibitor
• Immediate need for stimulant discontinuation due to tolerability problems
• Previous participation in an atomoxetine study, or unresponsive to atomoxetine, or intolerable side effects to atomoxetine