Symptomatic and Functional Response and Remission From the Open-Label Treatment-Optimization Phase of a Study With DR/ER-MPH in Children With ADHD

Delayed-release and extended-release methylphenidate (DR/ER-MPH), the first stimulant predicted to be absorbed primarily in the colon, demonstrated significant improvements in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and functional impairment from awakening until evening versus placebo in clinical trials. The clinical significance of these improvements was explored post hoc by examining response and remission thresholds as well as safety in the context of dose optimization. Data from the open-label, treatment-optimization phase of a phase 3 study of DR/ER-MPH in children (aged 6-12 years) with ADHD, as diagnosed by criteria and enrolled between July 2015 and March 2016, were analyzed. Thresholds for response (anchored to Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale [CGI-I] score of 1 or 2) and remission were applied to ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ADHD-RS-IV), Before School Functioning Questionnaire (BSFQ), and Parent Rating of Evening and Morning Behavior, Revised, Morning Subscale (PREMB-R AM) and Evening Subscale (PREMB-R PM) scores. Rates of response, remission, and treatment-emergent adverse events by starting dose were examined. Mean DR/ER-MPH dose increased from 29.7 mg/d at baseline (51% on 20 mg/d; 49% on 40 mg/d) to 66.2 mg/d at week 6. At week 6, most participants achieved response/remission thresholds (response/remission: ADHD-RS-IV: 97%/89%; BSFQ: 98%/94%; PREMB-R AM: 94%/98%; PREMB-R PM: 91%/84%). More participants starting on a 40-mg versus 20-mg dose achieved thresholds at week 1 ( < .02). Weekly treatment-emergent adverse event rates over the open-label period were similar between starting doses. When DR/ER-MPH dosing was optimized for ADHD symptom control throughout the day, the majority of participants achieved thresholds indicating all-day control of ADHD symptoms and functional impairment to the level of their non-ADHD peers. Data used in this post hoc analysis came from the study with ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02493777.