In the Netherlands, two forms of amphetamines are available for the treatment of ADHD in adults; dexamfetamine (Tentin) and lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) and both belong to regular and primary care pharmacotherapy. Both drugs contain exactly the same substance dexamfetamine and it would be expected that the effects on the symptoms of ADHD and the duration of action should be comparable. Previous studies and daily practice have reported different effects and duration of action of both, however. In this study the investigators want to investigate this difference by giving both drugs to the same patient, objectify the blood concentrations, objective and subjective effects and hope to be able to further optimize the treatment for ADHD with amphetamines.
Rationale: In the Netherlands, two types of amphetamines are available for the treatment of adults with ADHD: dexamphetamine sulfate (dex\[Tentin ©\]) and lisdexamphetamine dimesylate (lisdex \[Elvanse ©\]) Lisdex is promoted by the manufacturer as a long-acting preparation with a controlled release profile and thus an extended duration of action compared to dex, however, the scientific evidence about the pharmacokinetic (PK) / dynamic (PD) profile of lisdex compared to dex is sparse. Additionally, there are no head-to-head comparisons between dex and lisdex where an objective measurement for the symptom amelioration of ADHD has been used and compared to the plasma concentrations. The hypothesis is that two-times daily dex is more effective in suppressing ADHD symptomatology than once daily lisdex. Objective: The objective is to compare the pharmacodynamic profile of dex and lisdex in adult patients with ADHD and determine whether the day-time response variation in ADHD symptomatology depends on the type of amphetamine and it's pharmacokinetics. Study design: An observational study. Study population: N=16 adults with a minimal age of 18 years old, diagnosed with ADHD according to the DSM 5 criteria, where treatment as usual (TAU) with dex or lisdex already commenced but where the optimal dosage and type of amphetamine have not been established. Intervention: Sixteen participants will be observed for two consecutive days and PK/PD profiles of lisdex and dex will be observed. Lisdex will be bioequivalently dosed; lisdex once a day and dex two times a day with an interval of 4 hours (TAU). The participants will be observed for approximately 14 hours each day. Blood samples, the Quantified behavior Test (QbTest), physical measurements and questionnaires for drug effects will be taken 6 times at; 0, 2; 4; 6; 9; 12 (hours). Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary study parameters are the PK/PD profile over time; next to blood samples for pharmacokinetic profiling pharmacodynamic assessments include the QbTest, the drug effect Questionnaire (DEQ), the Bond-Lader Visual Analog Scale (BL-VAS), QbTest performance questionnaire and physical measurements; blood pressure and heart rate. Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: There are no specific benefits for the study participants. The burden of participating in this study include two extra visits to the outpatient clinic. During each visit the study participant has to fill out some questionnaires, undergo six QbTests and bloodtests. In our opinion the burden for each study participant is considered minor and the risk very low. The therapy given during the study is according to the TAU, which is based on the guidelines of the Dutch association of psychiatry (NVvP) for the treatment of ADHD in adults. The participants will undergo a total of 12 blood samples (2ml per sample). This risk is acceptable in relation to the possible benefits that may be gained from this study, i.e. improved pharmacotherapy guidelines for adult patients with ADHD.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
16
The dosage is set based on the recommendation of the practitioner. Dexamphetamine is administered twice a day, with an interval of 4 hours.
The dosage is set based on the recommendation of the practitioner. Lisdexamphetamine is only administered once a day.
The blood samples will be taken at set times: 0, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)
ADHDcentraal
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Quantified behavior Test (QbTest)
The pharmacodynamic profile (PD) will be compared to the pharmacokinetic profile to objectify the day-time response variation for both types of amphetamines. The QbTest will be used as a PD measure. The QbTest was the world's first FDA cleared, and CE marked ADHD management system. QbTest is a test which objectively evaluates the core symptoms of ADHD for children and adults by combining motion-tracking analysis with a uniquely designed continuous performance task. The test results are compared with an age, length, weight and gender adjusted norm group to set the context to the patient's performance and corresponds to Z-scores (norm population M = 0 and SD =1, SD \> 1.5 should be viewed as atypical and give cause for clinical concern).
Time frame: Two consecutive days; the QbTest assessments will be conducted at 6 time points during each day. At baseline (0), repeated after 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)
Drug Effects Questionnaire (DEQ)
The pharmacodynamic profile (PD) will be compared to the pharmacokinetic profile to objectify the day-time response variation for both types of amphetamines. The DEQ will be used as a PD measure. The DEQ is a concise questionnaire, its questions have been widely used and it has shown promising results regarding its psychometric properties. DEQ is therefore suitable for the current study. The DEQ consists of 5 items (VAS) that represent the following dimensions: feel of any substance effects (FEEL), feeling of being high (HIGH), drug-liking (LIKE), drug-disliking (DISLIKE) and drug-wanting (MORE). The answers are obtained using a digital VAS scale with numbers that show the values 1 - 100. E.g., A higher score on the LIKE scale represents a higher amount of drug-liking.
Time frame: Two consecutive days; the DEQ assessments will be conducted at 6 time points during each day. At baseline (0), repeated after 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)
Bond-Lader Visual Analog Scale (BL-VAS)
The pharmacodynamic profile (PD) will be compared to the pharmacokinetic profile to objectify the day-time response variation for both types of amphetamines. The BL-VAS will be used as a PD measure. The Bond \& Lader VAS Mood Rating Scale (BL-VAS) is used to measure the effects of drugs on the participants' mood. The BL-VAS consists of 16 items. The responses are obtained using digital VAS that show the values 1 - 100. The reponses are combined into three dimensions that represent mood, namely: alertness (n = 9), calmness (n = 2) and contentedness (n = 5). The scores of the individual items are summed and averaged, this results in a score for each factor. The range of the factor is 1 - 100. A higher score represents a higher degree of alertness, calmness or contentedness
Time frame: Two consecutive days; the BL-VAS assessments will be conducted at 6 time points during each day. At baseline (0), repeated after 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)
QbTest performance questionnaire
The pharmacodynamic profile (PD) will be compared to the pharmacokinetic profile to objectify the day-time response variation for both types of amphetamines. The QbTest performance questionnaire will be used as a PD measure. Participants will perform the QbTest six times a day, immediately after the collection of blood samples. After the QbTest, participants will be shortly questioned about their perception regarding the performance, focus and energy during the test. The questionnaire consists of 4 questions regarding hyperfocus, energy and performance. The responses are obtained using digital VAS that show the values 1 - 100. The scores of the individual items are summed and averaged, this results in a score for each factor. The range of the factor is 1 - 100. A higher score represents a higher degree of performance.
Time frame: Two consecutive days; the QbTest performance questionnaire assessments will be conducted at 6 time points during each day. At baseline (0), repeated after 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)
systolic blood pressure (mmHg)
The pharmacodynamic profile (PD) will be compared to the pharmacokinetic profile to objectify the day-time response variation for both types of amphetamines. The Cardiovasculaire response will be used as a PD measure. Cardiovascular response included blood pressure (diastolic and systolic) and hart rate (puls).
Time frame: Two consecutive days; the cardiovasculaire assessments will be conducted at 6 time points during each day. At baseline (0), repeated after 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)
Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
The pharmacodynamic profile (PD) will be compared to the pharmacokinetic profile to objectify the day-time response variation for both types of amphetamines. The Cardiovasculaire response will be used as a PD measure. Cardiovascular response included blood pressure (diastolic and systolic) and hart rate (puls).
Time frame: Two consecutive days; the cardiovasculaire assessments will be conducted at 6 time points during each day. At baseline (0), repeated after 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)
Heart rate (heart beats per minute)
The pharmacodynamic profile (PD) will be compared to the pharmacokinetic profile to objectify the day-time response variation for both types of amphetamines. The Cardiovasculaire response will be used as a PD measure. Cardiovascular response included blood pressure (diastolic and systolic) and heart rate (puls).
Time frame: Two consecutive days; the cardiovasculaire assessments will be conducted at 6 time points during each day. At baseline (0), repeated after 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)
Plasma concentration of D-amphetamine
The PD profiles will be compared to the PK profiles to objectify the day-time response variation for both types of amphetamines. Blood samples, 2ml each, will be collected in lithium heparin tubes 0, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12 h after drug administration. Thereby, the plasma concentration of D-amphetamine can be determined.
Time frame: Two consecutive days; the plasma concentration of D-amphetamine will be determined at 6 time points during each day. At baseline (0), repeated after 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)
Compare area under the curve (AUC) of dex and lisdex
Compare the AUC of dex and lisdex, the investigators hypothesize that the AUC between dex and lisdex will be identical, and the current conversion factor for bioequivalence between dex and lisdex is appropriate.
Time frame: Two consecutive days; blood will be collected at 6 time points during each day. At baseline (0), repeated after 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)
Compare maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) between lisdex and dex
The investigators hypothesize that the Cmax for lisdex will be higher compared to dex.
Time frame: Two consecutive days; blood will be collected at 6 time points during each day. At baseline (0), repeated after 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)
Compare time to reach maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) between lisdex and dex
The investigators hypothesize that Lisdex will have higher drug-liking scores at Tmax than dex. The investigators hypothesize that Lisdex will have more side-effects at Tmax than dex.
Time frame: Two consecutive days; blood will be collected at time points: 0, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.