The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
FROM
ISSUE1736
ISSUE1736
September 1, 2025
Drugs for ADHD
| Subscribers: Log in to read full article. Not a subscriber? Subscribe or purchase article. |
Drugs for ADHD
September 1, 2025 (Issue: 1736)
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a
common chronic neurodevelopmental disorder often
diagnosed in school-age children that frequently
persists into adulthood.Pharmacologic treatment
of ADHD has been associated with reduced risks...more
- S Cortese. Pharmacologic treatment of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. N Engl J Med 2020; 383:1050. doi:10.1056/nejmra1917069
- T Widding-Havneraas et al. Effect of pharmacological treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder on criminality. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2024; 63:433. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2023.05.025
- Z Chang et al. Serious transport accidents in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and the effect of medication: a population-based study. JAMA Psychiatry 2014; 71:319. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2013.4174
- H-M Vasiliadis et al. ADHD medications use and risk of mortality and unintentional injuries: a population-based cohort study. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:128. doi:10.1038/s41398-024-02825-y
- L Li et al. ADHD pharmacotherapy and mortality in individuals with ADHD. JAMA 2024; 331:850. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.0851
- ML Wolraich et al. Clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Pediatrics 2019; 144:e20192528. doi:10.1542/peds.2019-2528
- EK Coles et al. Randomized trial of first-line behavioral intervention to reduce need for medication in children with ADHD. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 2020; 49:673. doi:10.1080/15374416.2019.1630835
- BS Peterson et al. ADHD diagnosis and treatment in children and adolescents [Internet]. Rockville (MD): Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2024 Mar. (Comparative Effectiveness Review, No. 267.). doi:10.23970/ahrqepccer267
- BS Peterson et al. Treatments for ADHD in children and adolescents: a systematic review. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2024065787. doi:10.1542/peds.2024-065787
- S Cortese et al. Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Lancet Psychiatry 2018; 5:727. doi:10.1016/s2215-0366(18)30269-4
- D Coghill et al. Long-acting methylphenidate formulations in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review of head-to-head studies. BMC Psychiatry 2013; 13:237. doi:10.1186/1471-244x-13-237
- QuilliChew ER – extended-release chewable methylphenidate tablets. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2016; 58:68.
- Cotempla XR-ODT – another long-acting methylphenidate for ADHD. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2017; 59:183.
- Quillivant XR – an extended-release oral suspension of methylphenidate. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2013; 55:10.
- Transdermal methylphenidate (Daytrana) for ADHD. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2006; 48:49.
- Jornay PM – evening-dosed methylphenidate for ADHD. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2019; 61:126.
- Two new amphetamines for ADHD. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2016; 58:80.
- Transdermal dextroamphetamine (Xelstrym) for ADHD. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2023: 65:22.
- RH Weisler et al. Efficacy and safety of SHP465 mixed amphetamine salts in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, forced-dose clinical study. CNS Drugs 2017; 31:685. doi:10.1007/s40263-017-0455-7
- M Brams et al. SHP465 mixed amphetamine salts in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents: results of a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2018; 28:19. doi:10.1089/cap.2017.0053
- D Elbe et al. Focus on lisdexamfetamine: a review of its use in child and adolescent psychiatry. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2010; 19:303.
- JH Newcorn et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled acute comparator trials of lisdexamfetamine and extended-release methylphenidate in adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. CNS Drugs 2017; 31:999. doi:10.1007/s40263-017-0468-2
- FDA Drug Safety Communication. FDA requires expanded labeling about weight loss risk in patients younger than 6 years taking extended-release stimulants for ADHD. June 30, 2025. Available at: https://bit.ly/3Ukaf3U. Accessed August 13, 2025.
- SC Cohen et al. Meta-analysis: risk of tics associated with psychostimulant use in randomized, placebo-controlled trials. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2015; 54:728. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2015.06.011
- L Hennissen et al. Cardiovascular effects of stimulant and non-stimulant medication for children and adolescents with ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials of methylphenidate, amphetamines and atomoxetine. CNS Drugs 2017; 31:199. doi:10.1007/s40263-017-0410-7
- WO Cooper et al. ADHD drugs and serious cardiovascular events in children and young adults. N Engl J Med 2011; 365:1896. doi:10.1056/nejmoa1110212
- LA Habel et al. ADHD medications and risk of serious cardiovascular events in young and middle-aged adults. JAMA 2011; 306:2673. doi:10.1001/jama.2011.1830
- H Schelleman et al. Cardiovascular events and death in children exposed and unexposed to ADHD agents. Pediatrics 2011; 127:1102. doi:10.1542/peds.2010-3371
- L Zhang et al. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medications and long-term risk of cardiovascular diseases. JAMA Psychiatry 2024; 81:178. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.4294
- A Holt et al. Long-term cardiovascular risk associated with treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in adults. J Am Coll Cardiol 2024; 83:1870. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2024.03.375
- SA Shahani et al. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder screening electrocardiograms: a community-based perspective. Pediatr Cardiol 2014; 35:485. doi:10.1007/s00246-013-0810-5
- LV Moran et al. Psychosis with methylphenidate or amphetamine in patients with ADHD. N Engl J Med 2019; 380:1128. doi:10.1056/nejmoa1813751
- JM Swanson et al. Young adult outcomes in the follow-up of the multimodal treatment study of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: symptom persistence, source discrepancy, and height suppression. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2017; 58:663. doi:10.1111/jcpp.12684
- LS Eiland et al. Priapism associated with the use of stimulant medications and atomoxetine for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. Ann Pharmcother 2014; 48:1350. doi:10.1177/1060028014541791
- Inhibitors and inducers of CYP enzymes, P-glycoprotein, and other transporters. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2023 January 25 (epub). Available at: www.medicalletter.org/downloads/CYP_PGP_Tables.pdf.
- A Childress et al. Viloxazine extended-release administered with psychostimulants in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a phase 4, open-label trial. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2025; 35:155. doi:10.1089/cap.2024.0138
- T Treuer et al. A systematic review of combination therapy with stimulants and atomoxetine for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, including patient characteristics, treatment strategies, effectiveness, and tolerability. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2013; 23:179. doi:10.1089/cap.2012.0093
- Atomoxetine (Strattera) for ADHD. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2003; 45:11.
- JH Newcorn et al. Atomoxetine and osmotically released methylphenidate for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: acute comparison and differential response. Am J Psychiatry 2008; 165:721. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2007.05091676
- VA Reed et al. The safety of atomoxetine for the treatment of children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a comprehensive review of over a decade of research. CNS Drugs 2016; 30:603. doi:10.1007/s40263-016-0349-0
- Viloxazine ER (Quelbree) for ADHD. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2021; 63:98.
- MZ Price and RL Price. Extended-release viloxazine compared with atomoxetine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. CNS Drugs 2023; 37:655. doi:10.1007/s40263-023-01023-6
- ST Osland et al. Pharmacological treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with comorbid tic disorders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018; 6:CD007990. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd007990.pub3
- Guanfacine extended-release (Intuniv) for ADHD. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2010; 52:82.
- Another extended-release alpha2-agonist for ADHD. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2011; 53:10.
- Clonidine oral suspension (Onyda XR) for ADHD. Med Lett Drugs Ther 2024; 66:205.
- KF Huybrechts et al. Association between methylphenidate and amphetamine use in pregnancy and risk of congenital malformations: a cohort study from the International Pregnancy Safety Study Consortium. JAMA Psychiatry 2018; 75:167. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2017.3644
- C Andrade. Risk of major congenital malformations associated with the use of methylphenidate or amphetamines in pregnancy. J Clin Psychiatry 2018; 79:18f12108. doi:10.4088/jcp.18f12108
- JM Cohen et al. Placental complications associated with psychostimulant use in pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol 2017; 130:1192. doi:10.1097/aog.0000000000002362
- C Andrade. Adverse gestational outcomes associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder medication exposure during pregnancy. J Clin Psychiatry 2018; 79:18f12136. doi:10.4088/jcp.18f12136
The Medical Letter is a subscriber-funded nonprofit organization that publishes critical appraisals of new prescription drugs and comparative reviews of drugs for common diseases.
Would you like to read the rest of this article? Gain access below.
Subscribe
Subscriptions to The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics include:
- Print version published and mailed biweekly (26 issues/year)
- Unlimited online access to current and past issues (1988 - present)
- Mobile App
- FREE online per issue CME/CE
Purchase this article:
Title: Drugs for ADHD
Article code: 1736a
Article code: 1736a
Gain access through your organization
Ask your librarian to consider an Institutional Subscription to The Medical Letter.