New drug for ADHD
A NEW non-stimulant medication – Atomoxetine HCI – is now available in Malaysia, offering children and adults suffering from Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), a safer and more effective treatment option. It’s the first and only non-stimulant approved for treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents and adults.
ADHD is a neurobiological condition affecting 3 - 7% of school-aged children, roughly two children in every classroom. Based on the 2001 census and 2nd National Health and Morbidity Survey held in 1996, about 330,000 Malaysian children, or 4.3%, are suffering from ADHD. Research has also shown that a number of children suffering from ADHD go on to be adults with ADHD.
According to Dr Toh Chin Lee, senior consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, ADHD is not a benign disorder. “For those it afflicts, ADHD can cause devastating problems.
Dr Toh Chin Lee...'The key symptoms of ADHD are excessive distractibility, impulsivity and restlessness...’
“The key symptoms of ADHD are excessive distractibility, impulsivity and restlessness, leading both children and adults to underachieve in school, at work, in relationships and marriage, and in all other settings,” Dr Toh said.
Follow-up studies of clinical samples suggest that sufferers are far more likely than people without the disorder to drop out of school, rarely complete college, have few or no friends, under-perform at work, engage in antisocial activities, and use tobacco or illicit drugs more.
For a long time, the only medications approved to treat ADHD have been psychostimulants. Stimulant medications have some side-effects and do not work for all patients. Many patients also go untreated due to the stigma associated with stimulant treatment.
Dr Pairoj Jirundorn, Medical Director of Eli Lilly (Southeast Asia), explained that the current treatment of stimulants does not manage symptoms well at all times. “ADHD is a 24-hour condition that places immense pressure on the individual with the disorder and their families, both in school as well as in family life.
“The new drug is a non-stimulant treatment option that can be administered once daily to provide continuous symptom relief from waking till the child settles at bedtime. In other words, it addresses the symptoms of ADHD throughout the whole day,” Dr Pairoj further added.
The drug works differently from stimulants. Where stimulants can be addictive, this drug has shown to have no abuse potential. Furthermore, it is the only approved ADHD medication for adults. .
In order to promote positive advancements in the area of ADHD, a working group under the auspices of the Malaysian Psychiatric Association (MPA) was formed in March 2004, with Dr Toh as the chairman of the group.
Dr Toh said that the ADHD programme encompasses a multitude of projects targeting at parents, teachers, media, general psychiatrists, paediatricians and primary care physicians. “It is hoped that the working group will be able to help patients and families dealing with ADHD by providing accurate information on the disorder and lead to the formation of support groups in the future,” he added. The drug has been launched in 42 countries and about 3.4 million patients, adults and children have been prescribed it since it became available.
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