New Nonstimulant on the Way?

A high blood pressure drug shown to improve symptoms of ADHD may soon be the next nonstimulant on the market approved specifically for treatment of the disorder.

A new nonstimulant medication for the treatment of ADHD may be in the offing. Research shows that guanfacine, a drug approved for the treatment of high blood pressure, significantly improves the symptoms of ADHD in children between the ages of six and 17. The drug’s manufacturer, Shire, is seeking FDA approval to market the drug as a one-dose-per-day treatment for ADHD.

If the medication is approved, guanfacine would join Strattera, made by Eli Lilly Pharmaceuticals, as the only nonstimulants approved specifically for ADHD treatment.

Raun Melmed, M.D., a developmental and behavioral pediatrician in Scottsdale, Arizona, says that new medications are a welcome addition to the treatment tools for ADHD. “Our community is always interested in expanding the range of ADHD treatment options,” he said, “so patients can receive individualized and optimal care.”