Psychopharmacological interventions for ADHD

Dr. Charles Pemberton, Ed.D, LPCC

Manbeena Sekhon, Doctoral Student

Today’s plan

Not a complete presentation. Talk to your MD Why Study? ADHD Basic Elements of:

Methylphenidate Dextroamphetamine Atomoxetene

When to use which.

Why Should Non-prescribers know this? Education Weekly monitoring Side-effect intervention Diagnosing Timing Reputation, future referrals

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• Within the “Disorders Usually First Diagnosed in Infancy, Childhood, or Adolescence” grouping, then subgrouped by the category of “disruptive or self injurious behavior”

ADHD, Major Diagnostic Features Often will not complete tasks Easily distracted by minor stimuli Work often messy and completed w/o thought Forgetful in day-to-day activities Impulsive (interrupting others, cannot wait turn,

etc.) Fidgetiness Excessive talking

Prevalence of ADHD

Estimated at 3-7% of school age children More common in males than females Often diagnosed during elementary school

years.

Subtypes of ADHD

314.01 ADHD, Combined Type Criteria A1 & A2 both met for past 6 months

314.00 ADHD, Inattentive Type Criteria A1 met, but not A2

314.01 ADHD, Hyperactive-Impulsive Type Criteria A2 met, but not A1

314.9 ADHD NOS Prominent symptoms but do not meet diagnostic criteria

Diagnostic Criteria for ADHD

A 1. Must exhibit 6 or more symptoms of inattention, persisting for minimum of 6 months: from list of 9 items, a through i. fails to give close attention to details often has difficulty sustaining attention often does not seem to listen when spoken to directly  often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities  often loses things necessary for tasks often easily distracted by extraneous stimuli often forgetful in daily activities 

Diagnostic Criteria, cont’d:

A 2. Must exhibit 6 or more symptoms of hyperactivity-impulsivity, persisting for minimum of 6 months, from list of 9 items, a through i. often fidgets with hands or feet or squirms in seat  often leaves seat in classroom often runs about or climbs excessively is often "on the go" or often acts as if "driven by a motor“ often talks excessively often blurts out answers often has difficulty awaiting turn often interrupts or intrudes on others

Diagnostic Criteria, cont’d:

B. symptom onset PRIOR to age 7 years C. impairment present in two or more

environments D. clear clinically significant impairment in

functioning E. cannot be accounted for by other mental

disorder

Basic Elements of Methylphenidate Known as: Ritalin, Ritalin SR, Ritalin LA, Concerta,

Metadate ER, Metadate CD, Focalin Pharmacology: It is a CNS stimulant, which is

chemically related to amphetamine Preparations – 5, 10, 20 mg tabs; sustained release

20 mg tabs; LA 20, 30, and 40 mg capsules. The SR tablet should be swallowed and not crushed or chewed. Concerta comes in 18 and 36 mg extended release tablets. Metadate CD 20 mg capsules; Metadate ER 10 – and 20 – mg tabs. Focalin 2.5, - 5-, 10 - mg tabs.

Methylphenidate, cont’d

Half-Life – 3-4 hours; 6-8 hours for sustained release

It’s a schedule II controlled substance, requiring a triplicate prescription

Pre-Drug Work-Up Blood pressure and general cardiac status baseline and periodic blood counts and liver

function tests Weight and growth should be monitored in

children

Methylphenidate, cont’d

Adverse Drug Reactions Nervousness and insomnia; can be reduced by decreasing

dose. Cardiovascular – Hypertension, tachycardia, and

arrhythmias. CNS – Dizziness, euphoria, tremor, headache, precipitation

of tics and Tourette’s syndrome, and rarely psychosis. GI – Decreased appetite, weight loss. Case reports of elevated liver enzymes and liver failure. Hematological –Leukopenia and anemia have been

reported Growth Inhibition

Basic Elements of Dextroamphetamine Known as: Adderall, Adderall XR Pharmacology:causes the release of

norepinepherine from neurons. At higher doses, it will also cause dopamine and serotonin release

Preparations – Adderall 5-, 7.5-, 10-, 12.5-, 15-, 20-, 30-mg tablets; Adderall XR 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-, 30-mg capsules.

Dextroamphetamine, cont’d

Half-Life – 10-25 hours It’s a schedule II controlled substance, requiring a

triplicate prescription Pre-Drug Work-Up

Blood pressure and general cardiac status should be evaluated prior to initiating dextroamphetamine.

Can precipitate tics Contraindicated in in patients with hypertension,

hyperthyroidism, cardiac disease or glaucoma. It is not recommended for psychotic patients ot patients with a history of substance abuse.

Weight and growth should be monitored in all children.

Dextroamphetamine, cont’d

Adverse Drug Reactions Side effects – most common side effects are psychomotor

agitation, insomnia, loss of appetite, and dry mouth. Tolerance to loss of appetite tends to develop. Effect on sleep can be reduced by making sure no drug is given after 12 pm.

Cardiovascular – Palpitations, tachycardia, increased blood pressure.

CNS – Dizziness, euphoria, tremor, precipitation of tics, Tourette’s syndrome, and rarely, psychosis.

GI – Anorexia and weight loss, diarrhea, constipation. Growth inhibition

Basic Elements of Atomoxetene Known as: Strattera Pharmacology:works via presynaptic

norepinepherine transporter inhibition Preparations – 10, 18, 25, 40, and 60 mg

capsules .

Atomoxetene, cont’d

Half-Life – approximately 4 hours Not a schedule II controlled substance Clinical Guidelines –

Dividing the dose may reduce some side effects Dose reductions are necessary in presence of moderate hepatic

insufficiency Atomoxetine should not be used within 2 weeks of

discontinuation of a MAO inhibitor. Atomoxetine should be avoided inpatients with narrow angle

glaucoma and, it should be used with caution in patients with tachycardia, hypertension, or cardiovascular disease.

It can be discontinued without taper. Pregnancy C category.

Atomoxetene, cont’d

Adverse Drug Reactions Cardiovascular – increased blood pressure and

heart rate (similar to those seen with conventional psychostimulant).

BI – Anorexia, weight loss, nausea, abdominal pain.

Miscellaneous – Fatigue, dry mouth, constipation, urinary hesitancy and erectile dysfunction.

When to use, when to change

Side effects Past history Substance abuse Efficacy Onset time Stimulant first line, Strattera second Follow MD

Closing Thoughts

Stimulants still first line defense Look at choice of drug based upon time of

release Be aware of study sponsor Addictive nature Subscribe to Medscape