Combination Use of Atomoxetine Hydrochloride and Olanzapine in the Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with Comorbid Disruptive Behavior Disorder in Children and Adolescents 10–18 Years of Age

• Published in: Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 415 - 418
• Main Authors: Holzer, Barry, Lopes, Vasco, Lehman, Robert
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mary Ann Liebert, Inc 01.08.2013
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - adverse effects; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Aggression - drug effects; Antipsychotic Agents - administration & dosage; Antipsychotic Agents - adverse effects; Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use; Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - complications; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders - drug therapy; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - complications; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - drug therapy; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Benzodiazepines - administration & dosage; Benzodiazepines - adverse effects; Benzodiazepines - therapeutic use; Child; Child & adolescent psychiatry; Clinical outcomes; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Humans; Male; Propylamines - administration & dosage; Propylamines - adverse effects; Propylamines - therapeutic use; Psychopharmacology; Psychotropic drugs; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Weight Gain - drug effects
• ISSN: 1044-5463; 1557-8992; 1557-8992
• DOI: 10.1089/cap.2013.0029

The aim of this study was to assess the use of atomoxetine and olanzapine in combination to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and comorbid disruptive behaviors in children and adolescents 10-18 years of age. Eleven subjects ages 10-18 received open-label atomoxetine and olanzapine for a 10 week treatment period. Patients were assessed at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, and 10 weeks (posttreatment). ADHD improvement was measured through the ADHD Rating Scale (ADHD-RS) (Investigator and Parent ratings). Aggression was measured through the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS). The combined use of atomoxetine and olanzapine resulted in statistically significant improvement in ADHD symptoms and overt aggression from baseline to posttreatment. As evidenced by a 33% reduction in symptoms on the ADHD-RS-I and the MOAS, 73% of patients were considered responders to ADHD treatment, whereas 55% responded to treatment for aggression. Both medications were generally well tolerated. Olanzapine treatment was associated with significant weight gain. Patients gained, on average, 3.9 kg. throughout the treatment period. These data provide initial evidence that combination use of atomoxetine and olanzapine for the treatment of ADHD and comorbid disruptive behaviors was effective in reducing ADHD symptoms and aggressive behavior in a 10 week treatment period.