{"id":46786,"date":"2017-10-10T09:48:54","date_gmt":"2017-10-10T09:48:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/?p=46786"},"modified":"2017-10-10T09:48:54","modified_gmt":"2017-10-10T09:48:54","slug":"what-new-drugs-are-in-the-pipeline-to-treat-adhd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biphoo.com\/bipnews\/health\/what-new-drugs-are-in-the-pipeline-to-treat-adhd.html","title":{"rendered":"What New Drugs Are in the Pipeline to Treat ADHD?"},"content":{"rendered":"

What New Drugs Are in the Pipeline to Treat ADHD?<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

They\u2019re all commonly-prescribed medications for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, and all are still on the market. But some new ones recently became available to the public, while yet another ADHD medication is currently seeking FDA approval. Each attempts to provide children and adults with the benefit of a once-daily, longer-lasting drug and do away with the need to take more than one dose throughout the day in order to maintain the medication\u2019s consistency \u2013 and therefore, effectiveness.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dr. Rakesh Jain, clinical professor in the department of psychiatry at Texas Tech University School of Medicine in Midland, Texas, served as an investigator for the ADHD drug, Mydayis, which became available for use in the U.S. in August. He explains that when discussing ADHD medication with patients, it was clear that people wanted something that provided a longer duration of symptom coverage. Taking medication twice a day can be challenging for anyone, he says, but may be especially so for people with ADHD, who sometimes struggle with forgetfulness in the first place. Additionally, he explains that if the second dose is taken too late in the day, it\u2019s not unusual for sleep difficulties to arise. With Mydayis, \u201cup to 16 hours of coverage in the average patient was detected,\u201d Jain says, expressing that its long-term coverage is \u201cideal\u201d and what he feels many people with this disorder have been waiting for.<\/span><\/p>\n

FDA Drug Approval a Rigorous Process<\/span><\/p>\n

Another medication, Dasotraline, while not yet on the market as it\u2019s currently seeking FDA approval, is also said to provide long-term, sustained adult and pediatric ADHD symptom improvement with just one pill. Details about Dasotraline suggest that it may provide benefits for upwards of 24 hours, with the added ability to potentially help adults struggling with binge eating disorder, which the National Eating Disorder Association states involves consuming large quantities of food “but without behaviors to prevent weight gain, such as self-induced vomiting.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The company behind Dasotraline, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc., notes on its website that the drug is currently at phase 3 in the FDA approval process. The FDA drug approval process is lengthy and rigorous, involving several stages before a drug is available to the public. Phase 3 pertains to clinical research, which the FDA describes as \u201cstudies, or trials, that are done in people.\u201d Phase 4 entails FDA review in which a team may take upwards of 10 months to approve a drug.<\/span><\/p>\n

Having a Variety of ADHD Medications Available Is Important<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m hoping to welcome Dasotraline into my armament,\u201d Jain says, adding that it\u2019s always good to have new treatment methods available. \u201cNo one medication will solve all of my patient\u2019s difficulties,\u201d he says. \u201cIf a medication works well for one individual, then that is the right one for them. If someone only needs assistance for 8 or 9 hours, thank goodness for that mediation.\u201d He emphasizes that new and pending ADHD medications aren\u2019t about a one-size-fits-all approach. \u201cIt\u2019s not a matter of one perfect medication,\u201d Jain says. \u201cMy patients and I are a team, strengthened by the range of treatment options available.\u201d For example, he notes that there is an ADHD medication available that has demonstrated up to 24-hours of symptom improvements \u2013 the nonstimulant, Strattera. Mydayis, while also long-lasting, is a stimulant. \u201cOne may work for some but not for others,\u201d he says, reinforcing his point that there isn\u2019t one pill that suits everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n

The National Institute of Mental Health notes that stimulants and nonstimulants are two kinds of medications commonly prescribed as part of an ADHD treatment plan, often along with psychotherapy, education and training. A stimulant, NIMH explains, \u201cincreases the brain chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine, which play essential roles in thinking and attention.\u201d Nonstimulants may be prescribed if stimulants aren\u2019t effective for an individual, if there are \u201cbothersome side effects\u201d from a stimulant or in combination with a stimulant to optimize symptom improvements.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thomas E. Brown, director of the Brown Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders in Manhattan Beach, California, agrees that what works for one person may not work for another. \u201cSome people burn through their medication more quickly than another person might,\u201d he says, adding that just because a medication says it lasts a certain number of hours, doesn\u2019t mean it will last for that exact amount of time for every person. \u201cThere\u2019s individual variability in response to medications,\u201d he says. \u201cAlso, when it comes to dosing, weight or age isn\u2019t always an accurate factor \u2013 how sensitive the body is to it is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Brown also says people should not discount generic ADHD medication. In his book, \u201cOutside the Box: Rethinking ADD\/ADHD in Children and Adults,\u201d he writes: “Many generic formulations of medications work just as well for most people as do the more expensive brand-name medications.” Still, variations among people can occur; he notes that \u201cthere may be differences in how quickly or slowly the medication is released. There may also be differences in nonactive components such as the ingredients in the packing inside the pill or its coating.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Another ADHD stimulant medication, which received FDA approval in September, is Adzenys ER (amphetamine), an extended-release liquid suspension. Chief Commercial Officer Thomas P. McDonnell of Neos Therapeutics Inc. says this is expected to be available commercially in early 2018. Adzenys ER, he says, provides the same benefits as the company’s Adzenys XR-ODT \u2013 an extended release disintegrating tablet that launched in May 2016 \u2013 except that Adzenys ER is in liquid form. Both are intended for use in people age 6 and older. With the recent launch of the company’s extended-release orally disintegrating tablets for ADHD patients 6 to 17 years old \u2013 Cotempla XR-ODT (methylphenidate) \u2013 McDonnell says the company has more options available for patients with ADHD.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Jain says nonpharmacological ADHD treatment methods such as exercise, proper sleep, cognitive behavioral therapy and coaching \u201cas add-ons can absolutely be an option,\u201d the most effective way to help with moderate to severe ADHD is with medication. \u201cIt should be the principal treatment,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Source:-\u00a0https:\/\/health.usnews.com\/health-care\/patient-advice\/articles\/2017-10-06\/what-new-drugs-are-in-the-pipeline-to-treat-adhd<\/span><\/p>\n

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