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CompletedNCT04946461IDEALUpdated May 10, 2023

The Day-time Response Variation of (Lis)Dexamphetamine

An observational study in Adhd, sponsored by Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc. Completed at 1 site in Netherlands. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 50 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-05-10.

Sponsored by Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc · Observational

Study type
Observational
Model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
16
Ages
18 Years to 50 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

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.

Read the detailed description

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.

02

Conditions studied

  • Adhd

Keywords

  • Dexamphetamine
  • lisdexamphetamine
  • ADHD
  • QbTest
  • Pharmacokinetics and dynamics
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc is the lead sponsor of 302 studies on the registry; 84 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 50 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

All patients who are diagnosed with ADHD according to the DSM 5 criteria (NVvP,2015 ref) at ADHDcentraal and where treatment as usual (TAU) with dex or lisdex already commenced but where the optimal dosage and type of amphetamine has not been established.

Inclusion criteria

  1. Participant is aged between 18 - 60 years at time of diagnosis
  2. Participant is diagnosed with ADHD according to the DSM 5 criteria
  3. Participant started pharmacotherapy treatment with dex or lisdex but no real preference for the type of amphetamine exists according to practitioner
  4. Participant is able to provide written informed consent
  5. Participant is able and willing to comply with the study protocol

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. No diagnosis for ADHD
  2. Currently other psychopharmacotherapy treatment than dex or lisdex
  3. Currently other psychopharmacotherapy parallel to dex or lisdex
05

Study design

Observational model
Cohort
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
16 participants (actual)
Patient registry
No
Biospecimen retention
Samples without dna

Groups and cohorts

  • group 1; lisdex - dex

    subjects are assigned to group 1 based on the type of medication prescribed by the practitioner. Subjects which started with lisdexamphetamine are assigned to group 1.

    Drug: Dexamfetamine Sulfate 5 Mg Oral Tablet · Drug: Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate · Biological: blood samples

  • group 2; dex - lisdex

    subjects are assigned to group 2 based on the type of medication prescribed by the practitioner. Subjects which started with dexamphetamine are assigned to group 1.

    Drug: Dexamfetamine Sulfate 5 Mg Oral Tablet · Drug: Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate · Biological: blood samples

Interventions

  • DrugDexamfetamine Sulfate 5 Mg Oral Tablet

    The dosage is set based on the recommendation of the practitioner. Dexamphetamine is administered twice a day, with an interval of 4 hours.

    Also known as: Tentin

  • DrugLisdexamfetamine Dimesylate

    The dosage is set based on the recommendation of the practitioner. Lisdexamphetamine is only administered once a day.

    Also known as: Elvanse

  • Biologicalblood samples

    The blood samples will be taken at set times: 0, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 (hours)

    Also known as: vena puncture

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. 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)

  2. 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)

  3. 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)

  4. 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)

  5. 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)

  6. 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)

  7. 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)

  8. 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)

Secondary outcomes

  1. 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)

  2. 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)

  3. 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)

Other outcomes

  1. The Leeds Sleep Evaluation Questionnaire (LSEQ)

    To see if the quality of sleep prior the observational days has an influence on the QbTest performance Sleep deprivation can negatively impact attention functioning in adults with and without ADHD. Sleep deprived participants performed worse on the QbTest (Dan et al. 2020). The response to the LSEQ will be given using a digital VAS that shows values ranging from 1 -100. The scores are averaged and divided by 10 to give a score for the following chronological domains of sleep: getting to sleep (GTS); question 1 - 3, quality of sleep (QOS); question 4 - 5, awakening following sleep (AFS); questions 6 -7, behavior following awakening (BFW); question 8 - 10. Finally, the score of each domain is added which results in an LSEQ-M global score, ranging from 0 - 100. A higher score for the individual or the global score correlates to a better quality of sleep and/or early morning behavior

    Time frame: Two consecutive days; the LSEQ will only be conducted at baseline (T0) for each study day

07

Study locations

1 site
  • ADHDcentraal
    Amsterdam, Noord Holland 1043CB, Netherlands
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes — The IPD can be requested through the official website of ADHDcentraal.

Supporting information: Study protocol, Analytic code

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on May 10, 2023, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT04946461
Lead sponsor
Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc
Collaborators
ADHDcentraal
Responsible party
R.K.R.W. Wettstein (Principal investigator, Amsterdam UMC, location VUmc) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jun 30, 2021
Start date
Jul 1, 2021
Primary completion
Dec 30, 2021
Completion
Jun 16, 2022
Last update
May 10, 2023

Study contacts

R. Mathot, PhD
principal investigator · AUMC, location AMC

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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