Starting in January, children and adults suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) will have a new treatment option not associated with the insomnia, loss of appetite or onset of tics that are common side effects of widely used drugs like Concerta, Adderol XR and Ritalin.
The new drug, Strattera (atomoxetine), produced by Eli Lilly and Company, is the first new ADHD drug approved in 30 years.
Unlike the other ADHD drugs on the market, Strattera is not classified as a stimulant. That means it's not a controlled substance, so patients (or their parents) can have physicians phone in refills instead of having to vist the doctor's office every month for a new prescription.
The American Psychiatric Association estimates that 3 to 7 percent of U.S. children and 4 percent of adults suffer from ADHD, symptoms of which include problems paying attention, fidgeting, excessive talking and making careless mistakes.
Strattera, taken in capsule form once of twice daily, remains effective for up to 24 hours even though it's detectable in the bloodstream for only five hours. An Eli Lilly spokesman says the drug's cost will likely be "comparable to other newer, branded prescription drugs for ADHD," which cost about $75 to $80 per month.
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