A review of long-acting medications for ADHD in Canada.

OBJECTIVE: To review and comment on the long-acting medications presently marketed in Canada for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in terms of design, composition, mode of action and efficacy including other long-acting products that are not yet available in Canada.

METHOD: A literature review was conducted using MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, and PubMed with additional information gathered from other sources.

RESULTS: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) and the Canadian Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Resource Alliance (CADDRA) while endorsing the stimulants as first line medications to treat ADHD also recommended the use of long-acting once-a-day medication for better efficacy, convenience and adherence. Most studies rated the controlled release and the immediate release medications as similar in efficacy. However, long-acting medication was shown to be superior in terms of remission rates.

CONCLUSION: When a child is receiving a long-acting medication for treatment of ADHD, he may feel less stigmatized, is more likely to be adherent and achieve remission. A child in remission can benefit from other treatment modalities thus improving long-term prognosis.