Once-daily medications for the pharmacological management of ADHD in adults

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children and adolescents. Symptoms of ADHD often persist beyond childhood and present significant challenges to adults. Pharmacotherapy is a first-line treatment option for ADHD across all age groups. The current review's goals are (a) to critically examine the current state of knowledge regarding once-daily formulations of pharmacotherapies for treatment of adults with ADHD and (b) to provide clinicians with evidence-based information regarding the safety, efficacy and tolerability of once-daily medications for adult ADHD. The reviewed body of evidence strongly supports the use of pharmacotherapy as a first-line therapeutic option for the treatment of adults with ADHD. The once-daily pharmacological agents are effective therapeutic options for the treatment of adults with ADHD. In the US, based on the available evidence, once-daily medications are currently underutilized in adults with ADHD compared to pediatric population. © 2009 Tcheremissine and Lieving, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd.