Drivers and Barriers to Tolerable and Effective Treatment for ADHD: The Importance of Treatment Perseverance and Duration of Effect

Abstract

Objective: To examine treatment outcomes for classes of ADHD drugs in conjunction with physicians’ prescribing rationales and the utility of treatment perseverance in treatment effectiveness. Methods: A retrospective non-interventional study using physician-provided chart data for treated adolescent and adult ADHD patients in the United States (April–June 2019). Multivariable analyses compared the effectiveness and tolerability of drug classes. Results: Among the 1,232 ADHD patients included in this study, 37.7% experienced one, 11.8% two, and 6.7% three treatment changes post their first prescribed regimen. These changes were mostly attributed to lack of rapid onset and duration of effect. Achieving best response correlated with the number of previous treatments for adolescents, but not adults. Maintaining full response correlated with the length of current treatment for adolescents and adults. Conclusion: Physicians’ prescribing rationales targeted duration of effect and tolerability. ER monotherapy demonstrated potential advantages over other regimens. Treatment perseverance is integral to effective ADHD management.