Content about Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

DUBLIN, Ohio — With the growing concern of the abuse of prescription stimulants like Adderall on college campuses, the Cardinal Health Foundation and the Ohio State University College of Pharmacy on Wednesday introduced Generation Rx University, the fourth in a series of interactive toolkits designed to help reduce the abuse of prescription drugs. 

NEW YORK — A new drug for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder made by Pfizer is now available, the drug maker said.

Pfizer announced the availability of Quillivant XR (methylphenidate hydrochloride) extended-release oral suspension, calling it the first once-per-day, extended-release liquid formulation of methylphenidate. The Food and Drug Administration approved the drug in September 2012.

NEW YORK — Pfizer is buying the maker of an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder drug for almost $700 million, Pfizer said Monday.

The drug maker announced that it would buy privately owned NextWave Pharmaceuticals, which makes the extended-release ADHD drug Quillivant XR (methylphenidate hydrochloride), which the Food and Drug Administration approved last month. The drug is expected to appear in pharmacies in January 2013.

PHILADELPHIA — Drug maker Shire is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a new usage for a drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the company said Wednesday.

Shire announced that the FDA had accepted its regulatory approval application for Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) capsules for maintenance treatment of ADHD in patients ages 6 to 17 years. There currently are no stimulants approved for maintenance treatment of the condition in that age group, Shire said, and the FDA said it would complete its review by April 2013.

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a generic drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder made by Actavis, the drug maker said Monday.

Actavis, whose parent company was recently acquired by Watson Pharmaceuticals, announced the approval of dextroamphetamine saccharate, amphetamine aspartate monohydrate, dextroamphetamine sulfate and amphetamine sulfate extended-release capsules, also known as mixed-amphetamine salts ER capsules.

WASHINGTON — Women take mental health drugs at a much higher rate than men, according to a new study by one of the country's largest pharmacy benefit managers.

Medco Health Solutions released results of the study Monday, showing that 25% of women use psychotropic drugs, compared with 15% of men. The study was based on the pharmacy claims of more than 2 million Americans and measured the use of drugs for treating depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and psychotic disorders between 2001 and 2010.

PHILADELPHIA — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Shire for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the company said Tuesday.

Shire announced the FDA approval of Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine dimesylate) capsules as a maintenance treatment for adults with ADHD. The drug already was approved for use in children and was approved for treating ADHD in adults in 2008.

The company said the approval was based on a clinical trial that showed more ADHD patients controlling their symptoms with Vyvanse than with placebo.

NEW YORK — Mothers that have low socioeconomic status and develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy are more likely to bear children that are diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, according to a new study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson Pharmaceuticals is seeking Food and Drug Administration approval for a generic treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the company said.

Watson announced that it filed a regulatory approval application with the FDA for methylphenidate transdermal system, a patch designed to deliver the central nervous system stimulant methylphenidate over a nine-hour period. The drug is a generic version of Noven Pharmaceuticals' Daytrana.

DUBLIN — Shire has filed patent infringement suits against two generic drug makers relating to its attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment.

Shire said it has filed lawsuits in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey against Amneal Pharmaceuticals and Sandoz. Amneal and Sandoz recently filed abbreviated new drug applications with the Food and Drug Administration to market generic Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), an ADHD drug.

HAYWARD, Calif. — Alza Corp. is attempting to block Impax Labs from developing a generic version of Alza's attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treatment.

Impax confirmed that Alza filed a patent infringement suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware against the generic drug maker in connection with Concerta (methylphenidate hydrochloride) extended-release tablets in the 18-mg, 27-mg and 36-mg strengths, which is designed to treat ADHD in children ages 6 years and older, adolescents and adults up to the age of 65 years.