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Sex Differences in Effectiveness of Extended-Release Stimulant Medication among Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

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Abstract

This study examined whether adolescent females with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are differentially responsive than their male counterparts to extended-release stimulant medications. This investigation may bear special importance for an adolescent (as opposed to child) population, because hormonal and metabolism differences between sexes are most likely to emerge at this time. Male (n = 19) and female (n = 16) adolescents, ages 16–19 with ADHD, participated in a randomized, double-blind crossover study evaluating the effectiveness of osmotic-release methylphenidate, extended release amphetamine salts, placebo, and routine limited medication regimen. Medication efficacy was evaluated using ADHD symptom ratings from adolescent self-report and parent report, along with objective measures of inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity during driving performance and neuropsychological tasks. Males and females were largely equivalent in impairment, and medication was similarly effective in reducing symptoms. No interactions were found between sex and medication on any measure of effectiveness or side effects. This finding suggests that the efficacy and tolerability of extended-release stimulant medications is equivalent for male and female adolescents with ADHD.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the adolescents and their families who participated in this study, the many staff who assisted with data collection, and Laura Wallace for editorial assistance. This study was supported by funding from McNeil Consumer and Specialty Pharmaceuticals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, 102 Gilmer Hall, P.O. Box 400400, Charlottesville, VA, 22904-4400, USA

    Amori Yee Mikami

  2. Department of Psychiatric Medicine, University of Virginia, Behavioral Medicine Center, P.O. Box 800223, Charlottesville, VA, 22908, USA

    Daniel J. Cox, Margaret T. Davis, R. Lawrence Merkel & Roger Burket

  3. Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, 150 Ruffner Hall, P.O. Box 400270, Charlottesville, VA, 22904-4270, USA

    H. Kent Wilson

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  1. Amori Yee Mikami
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Mikami, A.Y., Cox, D.J., Davis, M.T. et al. Sex Differences in Effectiveness of Extended-Release Stimulant Medication among Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 16, 233–242 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-009-9165-8

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