Shire’s ADHD drug rolled out across Britain

Young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are being offered a new treatment option from Shire called Intuniv.

The selective alpha-2A adrenergic receptor agonist can be administered to six to 17-year-olds who do not respond well to stimulant medicines.

Intuniv secured regulatory approval after pre-clinical studies indicated that it can selectively stimulate the alpha-2A adrenergic receptor in the prefrontal cortex and induce physiological effects.

Phase III studies later demonstrated that Intuniv is a safe treatment option both in the long and short term.

Chris Steer, a consultant paediatrician at NHS Fife, has hailed news that it is to be distributed across the UK and believes it will have a positive impact on patients.

"The availability of the new non-stimulant, guanfacine prolonged release tablets, may represent an important alternative treatment option, enabling physicians to tailor ADHD therapy to those patients for whom stimulants are not suitable," he commented.