Drugs under investigation for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

There has been substantial development of pharmacological treatments for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) recently. The greatest change is the approval of new delivery systems for methylphenidate (MPH) and amphetamine (AMP) that permit once a day dosing. There are also a number of new compounds under development for the disorder, including several non-stimulant agents. These compounds target the noradrenergic, histaminergic and dopaminergic systems. The recent developments in the pharmacological treatment of ADHD should increase therapeutic options and the percentage of individuals with the disorder who can be effectively treated.