The first drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that can be taken before bed could soon be available in the UK.
Experts say it may be a better option for children than other medications that contain stimulants, which increase heart rate and can be addictive.
The drug, called clonidine hydrochloride, was approved for children ages six and older in the United States last week and is taken in liquid or tablet form.
Stimulant medications commonly used to treat ADHD work by increasing activity in areas of the brain that control attention and behavior. As a result, most should be taken in the morning or in two or three doses throughout the day; However, if taken too late they can disrupt sleep.
However, clonidine hydrochloride is a non-stimulant medication that can be taken at night. According to its manufacturer, Tris Pharma, Onyda XR can be combined with stimulants or used alone and should be widely available in the US later this year.
The first ADHD medication that can be taken before bed could soon be available in the UK and even be available for children because it is not addictive (File Image)
Doncaster-based GP Dr Dean Eggitt said the new drug has the potential to greatly benefit treatment in the future.
He told The Mail on Sunday: ‘ADHD drugs at the moment are powerful stimulants and therefore addictive. Not only are they addictive, but when stimulated, they can cause changes in your heart rate and side effects such as weight loss. Therefore, they require very close monitoring.
“The fact that this new drug does not have that stimulant effect and does not cause a faster heart rate means that it will not require as intense monitoring, which will make its use much more available. “If it’s less toxic and less addictive, it seems like a shiny new drug.”
Clonidine hydrochloride was developed from an older drug that was used to treat high blood pressure 50 years ago. Its main component, clonidine, has been used to treat severe pain in cancer patients.
Britain is experiencing a domestic supply shortage of ADHD drugs, with the government blaming “increased global demand” and “manufacturing issues.”
According to ADHD UK, around 150,000 people reported problems accessing their medications in February.
