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Contact Information:

Prof Steven Marwaha
-
S.Marwaha@bham.ac.uk


More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.

Study Location:

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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - A clinical trial to investigate how effective a stimulant medication is compared to a non-stimulant medication in patients who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and also have a history of either psychosis or bipolar disorder

A clinical trial to investigate how effective a stimulant medication is compared to a non-stimulant medication in patients who have been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and also have a history of either psychosis or bipolar disorder

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Adult

Medical Conditions

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a history of either psychosis or bipolar disorder


This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common mental disorder that involves problems with attention, overactivity, acting impulsively. ADHD starts in childhood and commonly persists into adulthood commonly occurring alongside psychosis or bipolar disorder (bipolar), both severe mental illnesses. ADHD in adulthood is treated with medication of which there are two types: stimulants, (recommended to be used first), or nonstimulants. Doctors are concerned and uncertain about how effective and safe medications for ADHD are in people who also have psychosis or bipolar. Currently, there is not much evidence to help clinicians and patients in deciding which medication can best be prescribed. The study will try to understand which type of medication is most effective in reducing symptoms of ADHD in these patients, how safe the medications are. The design of the study is called a “randomised controlled trial”, which is the best way to find out the answer to this type of scientific problem.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

23 May 2022 30 May 2026

Patients will undergo screening to confirm their ADHD and psychosis or bipolar diagnosis, then will be entered into the main trial to receive the randomly allocated medication. Doctors will carefully assess patients at every 1-2 weeks at first to see if the medication is working, whether they are on the right dose and for side effects. After agreeing to take part, and at 6 & 12 months, patients will be asked to complete self-report questionnaires and interviews with the researcher. The questionnaires will measure ADHD symptoms, day-to-day functioning, quality of life, use of health services and whether new symptoms of psychosis or bipolar emerge.


Adults over 18 years, with a diagnosis of ADHD.

You can take part if:


Current inclusion criteria as of 06/03/2025:

1. Diagnosis of ADHD according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5) based on the Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in Adults-5 (DIVA-5)
2. Psychosis (schizophrenia spectrum disorders) (Strata 1) OR Bipolar disorder (Strata 2) diagnosis according to the DSM-5 based on the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)
3. Stable in the opinion of the clinical investigator
4. Males and females aged 18 years and over
5. Not currently (or within the last month) on medication for ADHD
6. Able to give written info


You may not be able to take part if:


Current exclusion criteria as of 06/03/2025:

1. ADHD medication contra-indicated2. Currently in an acute episode of psychosis or bipolar disorder3. Severe suicide risk or severe risk of violence to others4. Severe drug seeking behaviour or a current drug/alcohol withdrawal syndrome5. History of epilepsy or seizures6. Congenital or acquired long QT syndrome (LQTS); OR family history of QT prolongation; OR on medication associated with increased risk of QT interval prolongation such as class IA and III anti-arrhythmics,moxifloxacin,erythromycin,methadone,mefloquine,tricyclic antidepressants or cisapride.7. Currently taking CYP2D6 inhibitors (other than Fluoxetine, Doxepin, Duloxetine, Haloperidol, Paroxetine, Promethazine, Risperidone, Trazadone or Venlafaxine) as these are routinely used in the target population, and clinically accounted for in prescribing ADHD medication dosing and scheduling.8. Participating in another conflicting/incompatible clinical trial9. Females of child-bearing age only:10. Pregnant. Note: Spot urine test will be performed at screening and/or randomisation to rule out pregnancy in females of child-bearing age11. Not willing to take highly effective contraceptive measures to prevent pregnancy during study participation period AND for 30 days following administration of the last trial medication dose.

_____

Previous exclusion criteria:

1. ADHD medication contra-indicated2. Currently in an acute episode of psychosis or bipolar disorder 3. Severe suicide risk or severe risk of violence to others 4. Severe drug seeking behaviour or a current drug/alcohol withdrawal syndrome5. History of epilepsy or seizures6. Congenital or acquired long QT syndrome (LQTS); OR family history of QT prolongation; OR on medication associated with increased risk of QT interval prolongation such as class IA and III anti-arrhythmics,moxifloxacin,erythromycin,methadone,mefloquine,tricyclic antidepressants or cisapride.7. Currently taking CYP2D6 inhibitors e.g.,quinidine,terbinafine.8. Participating in another interventional or conflicting/incompatible clinical trial 9. Females of child-bearing age only:10. Pregnant. Note: Spot urine test will be performed at screening and/or randomisation to rule out pregnancy in females of child-bearing age11. Not willing to take highly effective contraceptive measures to prevent pregnancy during study participation period AND for 30 days following administration of the last trial medication dose.


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
    Hellesdon Hospital Drayton High Road
    Norwich
    NR6 5BE
  • Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust
    St Nicholas Hospital Jubilee Road Gosforth
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    NE3 3XT
  • Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
    Unit 1 50 Summer Hill Road
    Birmingham
    B1 3RB
  • NHS Lanarkshire
    14 Beckford Street
    Hamilton
    ML3 0TA
  • Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
    Trust Headquarters Redesmere The Countess of Chester Health Park Liverpool Road
    Chester
    CH2 1BQ
  • Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
    Bath NHS House Newbridge Hill
    Bath
    BA1 3QE
  • South London & Maudsley NHS Trust Hq
    9th Floor The Tower Building 11 York Road
    London
    SE1 7NX
  • South West London & St George’s Mental Health Trust
    Livingstone House 2 Queens Road
    Teddington
    TW11 0LB
  • Forward Thinking Birmingham
    Ftb 1 Printing House Street
    Birmingham
    B4 6DF
  • Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
    London House London Road
    Bracknell
    RG12 2UT

Benefits:
• If eligible, then patients taking part in the trial may start their treatment sooner than if they did not enter the trial
• All patients will receive either one of the 2 interventions studied as there is no placebo in the study.
• There is usually more time for patients to discuss their health and their condition and patients feel they may play a more active role in their own healthcare
• Patients are monitored more closely by the clinical team than if they did not take part in the trial
• The study provides costs towards the prescription for trial medication
• There are monetary incentives for completing the study assessments
• Travel costs towards each assessment visit are covered for all patients taking part
We would not expect any safety issues for participants. The trial medications being used have long established safety profiles, have been used for a long time in treating ADHD in patients with psychosis or bipolar. Participants will be monitored closely and if at any time symptom severity is presented by the participant, their clinical care team will assess them and decide if they need to change the medication dose or stop taking the trial medication. There is no known risk to female partners of patients taking either drugs but the manufacturer's advise is to avoid pregnancy and breast-feeding whilst on medication. As such, we will screen female participants for pregnancy (excluding those confirmed pregnant) and monitor for pregnancies throughout the duration of the trial intervention. Additionally, female patients of child-bearing age will be asked to take appropriate contraceptive measures to avoid pregnancy during trial treatment.

Prof Steven Marwaha
-
S.Marwaha@bham.ac.uk



More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.


The study is sponsored by University of Birmingham and funded by NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Co-ordinating Centre (NETSCC).




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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN79796233

Or CPMS 49907

Last updated 06 March 2025

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