Acute atomoxetine treatment of younger and older children with ADHD: A meta-analysis of tolerability and efficacy
2008

Atomoxetine for Treating ADHD in Children

Sample size: 1140 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Christopher J. Kratochvil, DenĂ¡i R. Milton, Brigette S. Vaughan, Laurence L. Greenhill

Primary Institution: University of Nebraska Medical Center

Hypothesis

Does atomoxetine differ in efficacy and tolerability between younger (6-7 years) and older (8-12 years) children with ADHD?

Conclusion

Atomoxetine is effective and generally well-tolerated for treating ADHD in both younger and older children.

Supporting Evidence

  • Atomoxetine significantly reduced ADHD symptoms in both age groups compared to placebo.
  • Younger children experienced more severe ADHD symptoms at baseline than older children.
  • The treatment was well tolerated, with few discontinuations due to adverse events.

Takeaway

Atomoxetine helps kids with ADHD feel better, and it works well for both younger and older kids.

Methodology

Meta-analysis of six randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

Potential Biases

Potential for publication bias due to the nature of included studies.

Limitations

Short treatment duration and variations in study design may limit the findings.

Participant Demographics

1,140 subjects aged 6-12 years; 74% male, 71% Caucasian.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1753-2000-2-25

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