Treatment

  • Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and management of ADHD are available on an international, European and national level.1-4

  • Disease awareness education for parents, teachers and patients will help with understanding and managing the physical and emotional impact of ADHD.3,5

  • Behavioural therapy for ADHD is often the first-line approach for managing individuals; it is commonly combined with medication-based intervention.2,5

  • Medication-based intervention for ADHD targets the core symptoms; both stimulant and non-stimulant drug therapies are used as part of a comprehensive treatment programme.2,6

    • A number of medication-based interventions are available for the treatment of children and adolescents.5,7-13 However, for newly diagnosed adults with ADHD, only methylphenidate has recently been approved in Germany14

  • There are a number of considerations when choosing the appropriate medication-based therapy for ADHD; treatment should be individualised based on side effects/risks, patient history, treatment targets/goals and patient lifestyle.3,5,6,7-9,11,13,15

  • There is limited scientific evidence for a link between lifestyle and diet choices and ADHD.16


References

  1. Remschmidt H. Global consensus on ADHD/HKD. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2005; 14: 127-137.
  2. Kutcher S, Aman M, Brooks SJ, et al. International consensus statement on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and disruptive behaviour disorders (DBDs): clinical implications and treatment practice suggestions. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2004; 14: 11-28.
  3. Taylor E, Döpfner M, Sergeant J, et al. European clinical guidelines for hyperkinetic disorder – first upgrade. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2004; 13 (Suppl 1): I7-30.
  4. Banaschewski T, Coghill D, Santosh P, et al. Long-acting medications for the hyperkinetic disorders. A systematic review and European treatment guideline. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2006; 15: 476-495.
  5. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management of ADHD in children, young people and adults, 2008. Accessed 8 August 2011.
  6. Rader R, McCauley L, Callen EC. Current strategies in the diagnosis and treatment of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Am Fam Physician 2009; 79: 657-665.
  7. Equasym XL Summary of Product Characteristics. Accessed 8 August 2011.
  8. Ritalin Summary of Product Characteristics. Accessed 8 August 2011.
  9. Concerta XL 18–36 mg Summary of Product Characteristics. Accessed 8 August 2011.
  10. Concerta XL 27 mg Summary of Product Characteristics. Accessed 8 August 2011.
  11. Medikinet Summary of Product Characteristics. Accessed 8 August 2011.
  12. Medikinet XL Summary of Product Characteristics. Accessed 8 August 2011.
  13. Strattera Summary of Product Characteristics. Accessed 8 August 2011.
  14. Press release: Methylphenidate for adults: expanded BfArM approval (Updated 15 April 2011). Accessed 8 August 2011.
  15. Dexedrine Summary of Product Characteristics
  16. Ballard W, Hall MN, Kaufmann L. Clinical inquiries. Do dietary interventions improve ADHD symptoms in children? J Fam Pract 2010; 59: 234-235.
     
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