[Drug therapy for AD/HD investigation of usefulness of extended-release methylphenidate and atomoxetine from the viewpoint of persistency rate].

Objective: Currently, extended-release methylphenidate (MPH) and atomoxetine (ATX) are used for the medical treatment of AD/HD. The purpose of this study is to investigate the current state of these treatments from the viewpoint of the persistency rate of each drug.

Methods: Of patients who had AD/HD or pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) associated with the symptoms of AD/HD, 460 cases who receiving MPH and 121 receiving ATX were investigated in terms of the diagnosis, the persistency rate, the persistency rate by the diagnostic name, reasons for discontinuation, and concomitant drugs as continual medications.

Results: The cases who continued MPH accounted for 59.8% (275/460), and those who continued ATX accounted for 49.6% (60/121). There were 40 cases who received MPH and ATX concomitantly. The persistency rate of ATX among those who had PDD was low.

Conclusions: The persistency rate of ATX was low because it was used for serious cases and MPH included the cases with proven effectiveness and discontinuation. There were also many cases requiring combination therapy. MPH had a high persistency rate for PDD, which did not necessarily mean that it was generally effective.