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A Study to Evaluate Effectiveness and Safety of Prolonged Release OROS Methylphenidate in Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

A Multicentre, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Group, Dose-Response Study to Evaluate Efficacy and Safety of Prolonged Release (PR) OROS Methylphenidate (54 and 72 mg/Day) in Adults With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT00714688
Enrollment
279
Registered
2008-07-14
Start date
2008-02-29
Completion date
2009-04-30
Last updated
2014-05-08

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder

Keywords

Adult, ADHD, Concerta

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of 2 fixed dosages of Prolonged Release (PR) OROS methylphenidate (54 and 72 mg/day) compared with placebo in adult patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Detailed description

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of 2 fixed dosages of Prolonged Release (PR) OROS methylphenidate (54 and 72 mg/day) compared with placebo in adult patients with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The primary efficacy criterion will be the change in the sum of the inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity subscale scores of the investigator-rated Conners' Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS), from start of treatment to the end of the double-blind treatment. Hypothesis of the primary objective states that either PR OROS methylphenidate dose is more effective than placebo after 13 weeks of treatment in adult patients with ADHD. This is a multicentre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group, dose-response study. Patients will be randomized into one of 3 treatment groups to receive oral dosages of PR OROS methylphenidate 54 or 72 mg, or placebo once daily. The study includes a treatment period of 13 weeks. Patients will be titrated from a starting dose of 36 mg/day for 7 days, to 54 or 72 mg/day at Day 8, after which treatment will be administered for 12 weeks. The study will include a screening period of up to 2 weeks, during which current therapy, not allowed during the study can be tapered down and discontinued (with the exception of fluoxetine or MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitors for which a maximum screening period of 4 weeks will be allowed). A post-study visit for collection of additional efficacy and safety data will be scheduled for one week after a patient's final dose of study drug. Adults with a diagnosis of ADHD according to DSM-IV criteria with some symptoms before age 7 years that continue to meet these criteria at the time of assessment will be enrolled in this study. ADHD is not diagnosed if the symptoms are better accounted for by another psychiatric disorder (e.g. mood disorder, anxiety disorder, psychotic disorder, personality disorder). The patient (and if possible, informant) must also describe a chronic course of ADHD symptomatology from childhood to adulthood. The description of this chronic course can be patient-based and previous documented diagnosis and/or treatment is not required. Approximately 300 patients (100 in each randomized treatment group) will participate in this study. The primary efficacy criterion will be the change in the sum of the inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity subscale scores of the investigator-rated CAARS from baseline to the end of treatment (end of 13 weeks or last post-baseline assessment). This variable will be compared between each dosage group and placebo using an ANCOVA model. Other end points will include changes from baseline to the end of the treatment in the CAARS subscales and assessment of the clinical global impression - global change subscale (CGI-C). Onset of therapeutic effect and responder rate will also be determined. In addition, morning / evening (8 pm) CAARS-S:S assessments will be performed at baseline and on Days 34, 35, 90 and 91. Safety evaluations will include monitoring of adverse events (AEs), clinical laboratory tests (hematology; biochemistry), pregnancy testing, vital signs (supine and standing blood pressure, pulse) and weight, ECG. Patients will be randomized to receive PR OROS methylphenidate 54 or 72 mg, or placebo once daily. Study drug will be administered daily in the morning for up to 13 weeks. Since there is no food effect with methylphenidate, drug administration can be under fed or fasted conditions. Patients will start at a dosage of 36 mg. At Week 2, patients will receive 54 or 72 mg PR OROS methylphenidate for 12 weeks.

Interventions

DRUGprolonged release (PR) OROS methylphenidate 54 mg

18+36mg once daily for 13 weeks

DRUGprolonged release (PR) OROS methylphenidate 72 mg

2x36mg once daily for 13 weeks

DRUGPlacebo

2xplacebo once daily for 13 weeks

Sponsors

Janssen-Cilag International NV
Lead SponsorINDUSTRY

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosis of ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Diseases, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) and confirmed by the Conners' Adult ADHD Diagnostic Interview for DSM IV * Described chronic course of ADHD symptomatology from childhood to adulthood, with some symptoms present before age 7 years and continue to meet DSM-IV criteria at the time of assessment * CAARS score of at least or equal to 24 as determined by investigator at screening visit * Patient agrees to take only the supplied study drug as treatment for ADHD during the study * Patient agrees not to initiate a new behavioral modification program during the study or if currently using a behavioral modification program agrees not to change this program during the study.

Exclusion criteria

* Known to be a non-responder to methylphenidate, or patient has a child known to be a non-responder to methylphenidate * Has been treated with any methylphenidate-containing medication within 1 month of screening visit * Participation in and premature withdrawal from 42603ATT3002, CR002479 or 42603ATT3004, CR011068 study * Known allergy or hypersensitivity to methylphenidate, or components of PR OROS methylphenidate * Any clinically unstable psychiatric condition including, but not limited to the following: acute mood disorder, bipolar disorder, acute obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anti-social personality disorder, borderline personality disorder.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms Total Score of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)from baseline to 13 weeksThe primary endpoint was the change in the ADHD symptoms total score of the investigator-rated CAARS from baseline to the last assessment in the double-blind treatment period. CAARS assesses ADHD symptoms and behaviors in adults using a scale ranging from 0 (best) to 54 (worst). For subjects without a post-baseline efficacy measurement, a change of 0 units was imputed.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) From Baseline to End of Treatmentfrom baseline to13 weeksThe CGI-S rating scale is used to rate the severity of a subject's illness on a 7-point scale ranging from 1 (not ill) to 7 (extremely severe illness). The change in CGI-S was assessed from baseline to end of treatment (week 13 or or last post-baseline assessment)
Clinical Global Impression-Change (CGI-C)13 weeksThe CGI-C rating scale is used to rate the change in severity of the subject's illness compared to baseline on a 7-point scale ranging from 1 (very much improved) to 7 (very much worse).
Change in Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Self Report Short Version (CAARS-S:S) Total Scorefrom baseline to 13 weeksThe CAARS-S:S is a 26-item self-report scale that measures symptoms based on the DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. Respondents were asked to rate items pertaining to their behavior/problems using the following 4-point scale (from 0 = Not at all, never; to 3 = Very much, very frequently). The CAARS-S:S total score range is from 0 (best) to 78 (worse). The change in CAARS-S:S was assessed from baseline to end of treatment (week 13 or or last post-baseline assessment)

Countries

Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Participant flow

Recruitment details

This study was conducted from 4 February 2008 (first subject in) to 2 April 2009 (last subject out).

Pre-assignment details

After enrolment patients entered a screening period of up to 2 weeks included the tapering and discontinuation of current forbidden treatment (except if fluoxetine or Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitors needed to be tapered, in which case a screening period of 4 weeks was allowed).

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Placebo
2 tablets placebo once daily for 13 weeks
97
54 mg PR OROS MPH
Prolonged-release (PR) OROS methylphenidate 18 + 36 mg once daily for 13 weeks
90
72 mg PR OROS MPH
Prolonged-release (PR) OROS methylphenidate 2 tablets 36 mg once daily for 13 weeks
92
Total279

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001FG002
Overall StudyAdverse Event21519
Overall StudyIneligible to Continue the Study011
Overall StudyLack of Efficacy1414
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up520
Overall StudyOther165
Overall StudySponsor's Decision020
Overall StudySubject Non-compliant355
Overall StudyWithdrawal by Subject433

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicPlacebo54 mg PR OROS MPH72 mg PR OROS MPHTotal
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
1 Participants1 Participants2 Participants4 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
96 Participants89 Participants90 Participants275 Participants
Age, Continuous35.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 8.81
35.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.71
35.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.08
35.7 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.2
Sex: Female, Male
Female
45 Participants46 Participants42 Participants133 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
52 Participants44 Participants50 Participants146 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
— / —— / —— / —
other
Total, other adverse events
56 / 9772 / 8979 / 92
serious
Total, serious adverse events
2 / 973 / 892 / 92

Outcome results

Primary

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms Total Score of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)

The primary endpoint was the change in the ADHD symptoms total score of the investigator-rated CAARS from baseline to the last assessment in the double-blind treatment period. CAARS assesses ADHD symptoms and behaviors in adults using a scale ranging from 0 (best) to 54 (worst). For subjects without a post-baseline efficacy measurement, a change of 0 units was imputed.

Time frame: from baseline to 13 weeks

Population: The ITT analysis set (includes all randomized subjects) was considered the primary efficacy analysis set.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms Total Score of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)Baseline36.5 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.05
PlaceboAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms Total Score of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)Endpoint26.1 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 10.59
PlaceboAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms Total Score of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)Change at Endpoint-10.4 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.03
54 mg PR OROS MPHAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms Total Score of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)Change at Endpoint-12.5 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 10.38
54 mg PR OROS MPHAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms Total Score of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)Endpoint23.0 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.07
54 mg PR OROS MPHAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms Total Score of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)Baseline35.6 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.75
72 mg PR OROS MPHAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms Total Score of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)Change at Endpoint-15.7 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 10.8
72 mg PR OROS MPHAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms Total Score of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)Endpoint21.6 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 10.21
72 mg PR OROS MPHAttention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Symptoms Total Score of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (CAARS)Baseline37.3 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.35
Comparison: Statistical analysis of change from baseline at endpoint.p-value: 0.13695% CI: [-6.04, 0.67]ANCOVA
Comparison: Statistical analysis of change from baseline at endpoint.p-value: 0.00295% CI: [-8.22, -1.55]ANCOVA
Secondary

Change in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) From Baseline to End of Treatment

The CGI-S rating scale is used to rate the severity of a subject's illness on a 7-point scale ranging from 1 (not ill) to 7 (extremely severe illness). The change in CGI-S was assessed from baseline to end of treatment (week 13 or or last post-baseline assessment)

Time frame: from baseline to13 weeks

Population: The ITT analysis set (includes all randomized subjects) was considered the primary efficacy analysis set.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
PlaceboChange in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) From Baseline to End of Treatment0.0 units on a scale
54 mg PR OROS MPHChange in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) From Baseline to End of Treatment-1.0 units on a scale
72 mg PR OROS MPHChange in Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) From Baseline to End of Treatment-1.0 units on a scale
Comparison: Statistical analysis of change from baseline at endpoint.p-value: 0.216ANCOVA
Comparison: Statistical analysis of change from baseline at endpoint.p-value: <0.001ANCOVA
Secondary

Change in Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Self Report Short Version (CAARS-S:S) Total Score

The CAARS-S:S is a 26-item self-report scale that measures symptoms based on the DSM-IV criteria for ADHD. Respondents were asked to rate items pertaining to their behavior/problems using the following 4-point scale (from 0 = Not at all, never; to 3 = Very much, very frequently). The CAARS-S:S total score range is from 0 (best) to 78 (worse). The change in CAARS-S:S was assessed from baseline to end of treatment (week 13 or or last post-baseline assessment)

Time frame: from baseline to 13 weeks

Population: The ITT analysis set (includes all randomized subjects) was considered the primary efficacy analysis set. It excludes patients for which a baseline value was missing.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
PlaceboChange in Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Self Report Short Version (CAARS-S:S) Total Score-8.5 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.64
54 mg PR OROS MPHChange in Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Self Report Short Version (CAARS-S:S) Total Score-12.8 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 13.42
72 mg PR OROS MPHChange in Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale Self Report Short Version (CAARS-S:S) Total Score-12.6 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 13.84
Comparison: Statistical analysis of change from baseline at endpoint.p-value: 0.023ANCOVA
Comparison: Statistical analysis of change from baseline at endpoint.p-value: 0.016ANCOVA
Secondary

Clinical Global Impression-Change (CGI-C)

The CGI-C rating scale is used to rate the change in severity of the subject's illness compared to baseline on a 7-point scale ranging from 1 (very much improved) to 7 (very much worse).

Time frame: 13 weeks

Population: The ITT analysis set (includes all randomized subjects) was considered the primary efficacy analysis set.It excludes patients for which either a baseline or end of treatment value was missing.

ArmMeasureValue (MEDIAN)
PlaceboClinical Global Impression-Change (CGI-C)3.0 units on a scale
54 mg PR OROS MPHClinical Global Impression-Change (CGI-C)2.5 units on a scale
72 mg PR OROS MPHClinical Global Impression-Change (CGI-C)2.0 units on a scale
p-value: 0.052ANCOVA
p-value: 0.002ANCOVA

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026