Intuniv cuts symptoms in ADHD children

UK-based specialty pharmaceutical company Shire has reported that its clinical study of Intuniv (guanfacine) extended-release selective  alpha-2A-agonist met its primary endpoint in the treatment of  oppositional symptoms in children aged six to 12 suffering from  attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Subjects in the randomized, placebo-controlled, flexible-dose trial  showed a showed a significant improvement in oppositional symptoms,  according to: the ADHD Rating Scale IV; the clinical global  impressions, improvement scale; the conduct problem subscale of the  New York parent rating scale, school-aged; and the parent stress index,  short-form questionnaire.

The most commonly-reported emergent adverse events in the study, with  occurence of at least 10%, were somnolence, headache, sedation, upper  abdominal pain, fatigue and irritability. There were now serious adverse  events and most were mild to moderate in severity.