FDA OKs ADHD Drug Vyvanse for Adults

ADHD in Adults Slideshow

Vyvanse Already on the Market for Kids With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

By Miranda Hitti
WebMD Health News

Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

April 23, 2008 — The FDA has approved the drug Vyvanse for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults, according to the drug company Shire, which makes Vyvanse.

Vyvanse, a stimulant drug, was first approved by the FDA in 2007 to treat ADHD symptoms in children ages 6-12.

Shire says the FDA approved Vyvanse for adult use based on a clinical trial of 414 adults ages 18-55 who took Vyvanse or a placebo pill for four weeks. Patients taking Vyvanse "experienced significant improvements in ADHD symptom control within one week of treatment with once-daily Vyvanse," says Shire.

All three doses of Vyvanse that were studied — 30 milligrams, 50 milligrams, and 70 milligrams — trumped the placebo; the most commonly reported adverse events were decreased appetite, difficulty in falling asleep, and dry mouth, notes Shire.

SOURCES: News release, Shire. WebMD Health News: "FDA Approves New ADHD Drug."

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