Separating efficacy and sedative effects of guanfacine extended release in children and adolescents with ADHD from four randomized, controlled, phase 3 clinical trials

IntroductionGuanfacine extended release (GXR) is a non-stimulant treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).ObjectiveTo separate efficacy and sedative treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) associated with GXR in four randomized, controlled trials in children (6–12 years) and adolescents (13–17 years) with ADHD.MethodsSPD503-301 (n = 345) and SPD503-304 (n = 324) were 8 and 9 week studies of fixed-dose GXR (≤ 4 mg/day). SPD503-312 (n = 314; adolescents only) and SPD503-316 (n = 338) were 10–13 week studies of dose-optimized GXR (1–7 mg/day).ResultsIn fixed-dose studies, pooled incidences of sedative TEAEs with GXR were highest at week 1 (GXR, 13.9–18.7%; placebo, 8.7%)…