Synergistic efficacy and diminished adverse effect profile of composite treatment of several ADHD medications.

Synergistic efficacy and diminished adverse effect profile of composite treatment of several ADHD medications. Neuropharmacology. 2021 Feb 12;:108494 Authors: Park D, Mabunga DFN, Adil KJ, Ryu O, Valencia S, Kim R, Kim HJ, Cheong JH, Kwon KJ, Kim HY, Han SH, Jeon SJ, Shin CY Abstract Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is widely studied, problems regarding the adverse effect risks and non-responder problems still need to be addressed. Combination pharmacotherapy using standard dose regimens of existing medication is currently being practiced mainly to augment the therapeutic efficacy of each drug. The idea of combining different pharmacotherapies with different molecular targets to alleviate the symptoms of ADHD and its comorbidities requires scientific evidence, necessitating the investigation of their therapeutic efficacy and the mechanisms underlying the professed synergistic effects. Here, we injected male ICR mice with MK-801 to induce ADHD behavioral condition. We then modeled a "combined drug" using sub-optimal doses of methylphenidate, atomoxetine, and fluoxetine and investigated the combined treatment effects in MK-801-treated mice. No sub-optimal dose monotherapy alleviated ADHD behavioral condition in MK-801-treated mice. However, treatment with the combined drug attenuated the impaired behavior of MK-801-treated animals. Growth impediment, sleep disturbances, or risk of substance abuse were not observ...
Source: Neuropharmacology - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Neuropharmacology Source Type: research