Exploring the impact of once-daily OROS® methylphenidate (MPH) on symptoms and quality of life in children and adolescents with ADHD transitioning from immediate-release MPH.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the clinical and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes in children/adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who required a therapy switch from immediate-release (IR) methylphenidate (MPH) and were initiated on Osmotic Release Oral System (OROS(®)) MPH. METHODS: Prospective, noninterventional study including patients (aged 6-18 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD who transitioned from IR MPH to OROS(®) MPH based on medical needs. Patients were transitioned to OROS(®) MPH and were followed for 12 weeks. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, functional outcomes, HRQoL, and tolerability were assessed throughout the study. RESULTS: 598 patients entered the intention-to-treat analysis. The mean OROS(®) MPH starting dose was 29.5 ± 12.0 mg/day, increasing slightly to 33.5 ± 13.2 mg/day at final visit. Compared with baseline, there were significant (all P < 0.0001) symptomatic, functional, and HRQoL improvements after transitioning from IR MPH to OROS(®) MPH as assessed by the Conners' Parent Rating Scale (from 29.0 ± 10.5 to 19.5 ± 11.1), Children's Global Assessment Scale (by 11.0 ± 13.3), and Inventory for Assessing Quality of Life (ILC) LQ0-28 scores (parents' rating from 17.2 ± 3.9 to 19.4 ± 4.0; patients' rating from 18.7 ± 4.0 to 20.5 ± 3.9). Overall, no significant changes in quality of sleep or appetite were observed. More than 70% of parents and physicians rated the effectiveness of OROS(®) MPH as at least "good" and were at least "satisfied" with OROS(®) MPH. The most common treatment-emergent adverse events were insomnia and anorexia. No clinically relevant changes in body weight or vital signs were observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this naturalistic setting, transitioning from IR MPH to OROS(®) MPH, in patients who showed previously insufficient response and/or poor tolerability, was successful. Patients' and parents' HRQoL as well as burden of disease showed a clinically relevant improvement. OROS(®) MPH was generally safe and well tolerated.

A randomized, rater-blinded, crossover study comparing the clinical efficacy of Ritalin(®) LA (methylphenidate) treatment in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder under different breakfast conditions over 2 weeks.

Several extended-release methylphenidate medications are available for treatment of children with ADHD. Pharmacokinetic investigations suggest that the serum levels of methylphenidate are partially altered when the medication is taken without breakfast. Clinical data comparing different breakfast situations are missing. In this study, different breakfast compositions and their influence on treatment with Ritalin LA are investigated. A total of 150 patients were enrolled in a rater-blinded, randomized crossover trial that compared a minimal breakfast with a standard breakfast in patients under stable treatment with Ritalin LA. Ratings for clinical efficacy were carried out after 1 week by teachers and parents (FBB-ADHS), as well as physicians (CGI). Additionally, a math test was administered to the patients. Of the total patients, 144 finished the trial with a breakfast compliance of 93%. All of the clinical rating scales showed consistently no difference between the two breakfast conditions. Non-inferiority of minimal breakfast versus standard breakfast was shown to be statistically significant (FBB-AHDS(Teacher): 0.97 with minimal breakfast, 1.01 with standard breakfast, P < 0.0001). The clinical efficacy of Ritalin LA is not influenced by breakfast and works independently of food intake.

Tolerability and effects of OROS® MPH (Concerta ®) on functioning, severity of disease and quality of life in children and adolescents with ADHD: results from a prospective, non-interventional trial.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder may have substantial impact on family life, peer interactions, and quality of life. Stimulants are recommended as first-line pharmacotherapy for ADHD. OROS(®) MPH (Concerta(®)) is a long-acting preparation with duration of effect for up to 12 h. In this 8-week, prospective, open-label, non-interventional trial the impact of therapy with OROS(®) MPH on functioning in four different areas of life (school, recreation, family life, and peer interaction), severity of disease, and quality of life (QoL) as well as tolerability were investigated under daily routine care. 306 patients, aged 10.2±2.3 years, were either transitioned to OROS(®) MPH from short-acting, immediate-release MPH (-IR) preparations (n=231; 75%), or treatment was initiated with OROS(®) MPH in MPH-naïve patients (n =75; 25%). In both groups, therapy with OROS(®) MPH was associated with significant improvements in daily functioning, severity of disease, and QoL. Adverse events (AE) were documented in 160 patients (52.3%). In 95 patients (31.0%) a causal relationship was assessed as at least possible. Four serious AEs were reported in 2 patients and rated as doubtfully related to study medication. Most frequent AEs (≥5% of patients) were insomnia, anorexia, ineffectiveness of medication, and headache. In 12.1% of patients AE led to discontinuation of study participation. Considering the limitations of this non-interventional study, the results refer to the importance of a therapy that covers not only school-time, but also takes other areas of life into account. Initiating treatment with long-acting preparations, such as OROS(®) MPH in MPH-naïve patients might be a feasible option.