A post hoc analysis of the effect of viloxazine extended-release capsules on learning and school problems in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Abstract

Improvement in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms vs. placebo was reported in a series of pediatric clinical trials of viloxazine extended-release capsules (viloxazine ER; Qelbree™). This post hoc analysis of those studies evaluated the effect of viloxazine ER on learning and school problems (LSPs). We used data from four Phase 3 placebo-controlled trials of 100-600 mg/day viloxazine ER (N = 1354; 6-17 years of age). LSPs were evaluated using the School domain of the Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale-Parent Report (WFIRS-P-S) and the Learning Problems content scale of the Conners 3rd Edition-Parent Short Form (C3PS-LP) at baseline and end of study (≥ Week 6). ADHD symptoms were assessed weekly using the ADHD Rating Scale 5th Edition. The analyses were performed using the general linear mixed model with participant as a random effect. The responder analyses were performed using the Chi-square test. Viloxazine ER demonstrated significantly greater improvements in WFIRS-P-S (p < 0.0001) and C3PS-LP (p = 0.0113) scores vs. placebo. The response rate for the WFIRS-P-S was significantly greater for viloxazine ER vs. placebo (p = 0.001), and the number needed to treat (NNT) was 10.3 (effect size 0.7). Conversely, response rates for C3PS-LP did not differ between groups (p = 0.9069). In addition to ADHD symptoms improvement demonstrated in previous studies, viloxazine ER significantly reduced LSPs in pediatric subjects with ADHD. The responder analyses and NNT estimates indicate that a substantial number of children and adolescents with ADHD treated with viloxazine ER improved in clinically assessed LSPs.

• Authors: Stephen V Faraone, Roberto Gomeni, Joseph T Hull, Gregory D Busse, Zare Melyan, Jonathan Rubin, Azmi Nasser
• Journal: European child & adolescent psychiatry (Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry) Vol. 32 Issue 3 Pg. 491-499 (Mar 2023) ISSN: 1435-165X [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 34581911 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Phase II, Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021. The Author(s).

Chemical References

• Central Nervous System Stimulants
• Delayed-Action Preparations
• Viloxazine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Child
• Humans
• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (drug therapy)
• Central Nervous System Stimulants (therapeutic use)
• Delayed-Action Preparations (therapeutic use)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Double-Blind Method
• Schools
• Treatment Outcome
• Viloxazine (therapeutic use)