Efficacy of modafinil compared to
dextroamphetamine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity
disorder in adults
Taylor FB, Russo J.
Rainier Associates,
Tacoma, Washington 98467, USA.
taylor2@earthlink.net
J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2000 Winter; 10(4):311-20
ABSTRACT
Our objective was to compare the efficacy of
the new wake-promoting drug modafinil to that of dextroamphetamine for the
treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults.
Twenty-two adults who met DSM-IV criteria for ADHD participated in a
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, three-phase crossover study
comparing placebo, modafinil, and dextroamphetamine for the treatment of
ADHD. The twice-daily study medications were titrated to doses of optimum
efficacy over 4-7 days and then held constant during the rest of each 2-week
treatment phase. Measures of improvement included the DSM-IV ADHD Behavior
Checklist for Adults, the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT,
using the letters C, F, and L version), Stroop, and Digit Span (Wechsler
Adult Intelligence Scale version). For the 21 (96%) completers, the mean
(+/- SD) optimum doses of modafinil and dextroamphetamine were 206.8 mg/day
+/- 84.9 and 21.8 mg/day +/- 8.9, respectively. Scores on the DSM-IV ADHD
Checklist (p < 0.001) were significantly improved over the placebo
condition following treatment with both active medications. Performance on
the COWAT (p < 0.05) reached trend levels of significance. Both
medications were generally well tolerated. This preliminary study suggests
that modafinil may be a viable alternative to conventional stimulants for
the treatment of adults with ADHD.
1. Modafinil for
sustaining the alertness of helicopter pilots
2. Modafinil augmentation
of antidepressant treatment
3. Modafinil the
unique properties of a new stimulant
4. Modafinil children
with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
5. Modafinil dosage
and safety
6. Modafinil successful
treatment of hypersomnia & narcolepsy
7. Modafinil narcolepsy:
symptoms and management
8. Modafinil
amplification of cortical serotonin release
9. Modafinil
treatment of alcoholic organic brain syndrome
10. Modafinil
effect on melatonin, cortisol, and growth hormone
11. Modafinil
in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome
12. Modafinil
vs dextroamphetamine in treatment of adult ADHD
13. Modafinil
efficacy in narcolepsy
14. Modafinil
switching from narcolepsy drugs to modafinil
15. Modafinil
dopaminergic transmission mediates CNS stimulants
