Amphetamines for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults
Abstract
Background Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a childhood onset disorder that can persist into adulthood. Amphetamines are used to treat adult ADHD, but uncertainties persist about their efficacy and safety. Objectives To examine the efficacy and safety of amphetamines for adults with ADHD, as well as the influence of dose, drug type and release formulation type. Search strategy We searched CENTRAL, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, clinicaltrials.gov, UK Clinical Trials Gateway and references obtained from articles and experts in the field. We conducted the electronic searches on 25 February 2010. Selection criteria Randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of amphetamine derivatives against placebo or an active intervention. Data collection and analysis Two authors extracted data from each included study. We used the standardized mean difference (SMD) and the risk ratio (RR) to assess continuous and dichotomous outcomes, respectively. We conducted a stratified analysis to determine the influence of moderating variables. We assessed the trials for risk of bias and drew a funnel plot to investigate the possibility of publication bias. Main results We included seven studies, which enrolled 1091 participants. All studies were placebo-controlled and three included an active comparator: guanfacine, modafinil and paroxetine. Most studies had short-term follow-up, with a mean study length of 8.1 weeks. Amphetamines improved ADHD symptom severity (SMD = -0.…
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A meta-analysis of 18 studies with over 2,000 adults with ADHD found that three amphetamine derivatives were associated with moderate reductions in ADHD symptoms.
“A meta-analysis of 18 studies with over 2,000 adults with ADHD found three amphetamine derivatives (dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, and mixed amphetamine salts) to be associated with moderate reductions in ADHD symptoms”
From The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder (2021) · cites this paper as Castells et al., 2011
Psychostimulants including methylphenidate, dextroamphetamine, and mixed amphetamine salts are efficacious in the treatment of ADHD in children, adolescents, and adults.
“Psychostimulants, including methylphenidate (MPH), dextroamphetamine, and mixed amphetamine salts are not only efficacious in the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents but also, in adults.11,12”
From Exploratory meta-analysis on lisdexamfetamine versus placebo in adult ADHD (2014) · cites this paper as [12]
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To Prescribe or Not? Pharmacological Options in Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
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- Authors
- Castells, X., Ramos-Quiroga, J. A., Bosch, R., Nogueira, M., & Casas, M.
- Affiliations
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitat de Girona; Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medical Sciences; Girona Catalonia Spain
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Department of Psychiatry; Passeig Vall d'Hebron 119-129 Barcelona Catalonia Spain 08035
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ES)
- Venue
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2011-06-15
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- CD007813-CD007813
- ISSN
- 1361-6137 (ISSN-L)
- 1465-1858
- OpenAlex
- W4240185141
- Cited by
- 80
- References
- 16
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 10 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 0.80
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Update notices
- new_version (2018-08-09)
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Schizophrenia research and treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Keywords
- adult ADHD, amphetamine, d-amphetamine, mixed amphetamine salts, ADHD symptom severity, treatment retention, adverse events, sustained-release formulation, dose comparison, guanfacine, modafinil, paroxetine, publication bias, risk of bias, short-term follow-up, long-term follow-up
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Amphetamines, Central Nervous System Stimulants, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Humans, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
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