(RxWiki News) Lots of kids have trouble swallowing pills. And lots of kids have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For kids who fall into both groups, there may be a new treatment option.
That option is Adzenys XR-ODT. This new drug is the first ADHD treatment that can both dissolve in the mouth and deliver the drug in an even dose over a span of several hours (extended release). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this drug Jan. 28 for patients 6 and older.
“The novel features of an extended-release orally disintegrating tablet, which is dosed once daily and disintegrates in the mouth, make Adzenys XR-ODT attractive for use in both children (six years and older) and adults,” said Dr. Alice Mao, medical director of Memorial Park Psychiatry in Houston, TX, in a press release from Neos Therapeutics, the drug manufacturer.
ADHD is a disorder most often found in children and marked by symptoms like impulsive behaviors, hyperactivity and inattentiveness. According to the press release, this disorder affects an estimated 5 percent of kids in the US, as well as 2.5 percent of US adults.
ADHD is often treated with a stimulant medication, such as Adderall. Adzenys XR-ODT gained FDA approval after a clinical program found that it was bioequivalent to the extended release version of Adderall, Adderall XR.
Side effects and adverse reactions of stimulants like Adzenys XR-ODT include increased blood pressure and heart rate, lost appetite, trouble sleeping, nausea, vomiting and potentially deadly cardiovascular reactions in those with existing heart issues, among other problems.
