Effects of open-label lisdexamfetamine dimesylate on self-reported quality of life in adults with ADHD

Abstract

Objective: To assess improvements in quality of life measurements during the open-label portion of a trial examining duration of efficacy of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in a simulated adult workplace environment.

Methods: A 4-week, open-label, dose-optimization phase followed by a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled, 2-way crossover phase to evaluate safety and efficacy of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate in the adult workplace environment was conducted. Clinical assessments included the ADHD Impact Module for Adults (AIM-A) to assess the effect of lisdexamfetamine dimesylate on perception of quality of life and the Clinical Global Impressions-Severity/Improvement to assess symptom severity at baseline and improvement over time. Safety assessments included physical examination, treatment-emergent adverse events, vital signs, and electrocardiogram measurements.

Results: Questions 1 and 4 of the AIM-A suggest improvement from baseline in overall quality of life at week 4 with lisdexamfetamine dimesylate treatment. Post-hoc analysis revealed no significant differences attributable to either age or sex. Overall responses to questions 2 and 3, which related to overall life goals, did not change in a majority of participants during the 4-week open-label phase of this study. For all lisdexamfetamine dimesylate doses combined, treatment-emergent adverse events occurring in ≥ 5% of participants during the dose-optimization phase were decreased appetite (36.6%), dry mouth (30.3%), headache (19.7%), insomnia (18.3%), upper respiratory tract infection (9.9%), irritability (8.5%), nausea (7.7%), anxiety (5.6%), and feeling jittery (5.6%).

Conclusions: At the end of the dose-optimization phase, lisdexamfetamine dimesylate treatment suggested quality of life improvements in adults with ADHD, with a safety profile consistent with long-acting stimulant use.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00697515.