Atomoxetine Treatment of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in 3-6-Year-Old Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Atomoxetine is indicated for the management of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years. Few studies have assessed the safety and tolerability of atomoxetine in younger patients. This retrospective cohort study included 133 children aged 3-6 years who were diagnosed with ADHD comorbid with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The primary endpoint was the evaluation of the safety profile of atomoxetine. In total, 50 patients (37.6%) experienced adverse events (AEs), which led to treatment discontinuation in 23 patients (17.3%). The most common AEs were gastrointestinal (24.1%), aggression or hostility (12.8%), and increased hyperactivity (9.0%). In the 23 patients who discontinued treatment, all the AEs resolved after treatment ceased. Among the 110 patients who completed at least 6 months' treatment, atomoxetine titrated to a dose of 1.2-1.8 mg/kg/day appeared to be well tolerated and effective. The Clinical Global Impression-Improvement score improved to 1 ("very much improved") and 2 ("much improved") in 62.4% and 20.3% of children, respectively, at their last visit. Overall, atomoxetine appeared to be well tolerated in younger children with comorbid ADHD and ASD. Nevertheless, close patient monitoring remains essential, and the study limitations necessitate caution in generalizing these findings to broader populations. Long-term prospective studies are required.

Keywords: adverse events; atomoxetine; attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder; autism spectrum disorder; safety.

Figure 1

Adverse events and side effects reported in the 133 patients who received ≥6 months of atomoxetine treatment.

Figure 2

Effect of ≥6 months of atomoxetine treatment on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms based on the Clinical Global Impression—Improvement (CGI-I) scale (n = 133).