A Review and an Update on Pharmacological Treatment of Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Taeyeop Lee; Hyo-Won Kim

doi:10.5765/jkacap.240040

https://doi.org/10.5765/jkacap.240040

A Review and an Update on Pharmacological Treatment of Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2025; 36(1): 11-17

Published online January 1, 2025

Taeyeop Lee and Hyo-Won Kim

Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence to: Hyo-Won Kim, Department of Psychiatry, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Korea
Tel: +82-2-3010-3414, Fax: +82-2-485-8381, E-mail: shingubi@amc.seoul.kr

Received October 30, 2024; Accepted November 22, 2024.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract: This review highlights the current and emerging pharmacological treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Stimulants such as methylphenidate are the first-line treatment for improving attention and behavior. Non-stimulants, such as atomoxetine serve as alternative options, particularly for patients with comorbid conditions or those intolerant to stimulants. Emerging treatments, not yet available in Korea, include the methylphenidate prodrug, delayed-release/extended-release methylphenidate, and transdermal dextroamphetamine, that provide innovative delivery systems for sustained symptom control. Additionally, novel drugs such as viloxazine and centanafadine show promise as alternatives with potentially fewer side effects, broadening the spectrum of available therapies. As these new medications become accessible, they may help develop more personalized treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs and potential side effects.; Keywords : Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; Pharmacotherapy; New medication; Prodrug; Transdermal; Viloxazine; Centanafadine