ADHD Treatment Across the Life Cycle

Since attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is usually diagnosed in children, evidencefrom the studies of pharmacologic treatments for children with ADHD is used to inform pharmacologictreatment recommendations for adults. A large percentage of children diagnosed with ADHDhave symptoms that persist into adolescence and adulthood. Evidence shows that pharmacologictreatments improve functional outcomes in children with ADHD, and studies using similar pharmacologictreatments show positive results in adults with ADHD. This article reviews the use of longactingmethylphenidate, mixed amphetamine salts, desipramine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors,bupropion, and atomoxetine in studies of children, adolescents, and adults with ADHD.