US approval of Simtriyo, the first medicine in a new class targeting three brain signalling chemicals, has prompted interest in its possible effects on depression and anxiety.
A newly approved ADHD medicine in the United States is drawing attention not only for how it treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, but also for what researchers think it may do beyond that. According to VG, the drug Simtriyo has been designed to act on three signalling chemicals in the brain, and specialists say that could make it different from long-established ADHD treatments.
Lars Lien, a professor and psychiatrist, told VG that the drug may help ease depression in people with ADHD, which he described as a genuinely new development in the field. He said current ADHD medicines mainly affect dopamine and noradrenaline, helping patients concentrate and stay calmer, while Simtriyo also acts on serotonin, a neurotransmitter closely linked to mood. Jan Haavik, a professor at the University of Bergen, said the medicine’s FDA approval was not unexpected and noted that earlier studies suggested it could also ease anxiety symptoms.
Simtriyo, which is produced by Otsuka Pharmaceutical and contains the active ingredient centanafadine, is the first medicine in a new class known as NDSRIs. According to the FDA-related material cited by VG and other reports, it is approved in the United States for adults and for children aged six and older who weigh at least 20 kilograms. The treatment is taken once a day in the morning, and four phase 3 trials found that it improved ADHD symptoms more than placebo, with benefits seen within a week. WebMD and Drugs.com say common side effects include reduced appetite, nausea, headache, rash and sleep problems, while more serious warnings include suicidal thoughts, misuse and heart-related risks.
For Norway, however, the medicine is still some way off. Lien told VG that the path from US approval to availability in Norway can take years, because a medicine must first win European approval before national authorities can consider it. Ingrid Aas, a senior doctor at the Norwegian Directorate of Medical Products, said the company must apply for approval in Europe before deciding which countries it wants to sell in, and added that she was not aware of such an application having started. Haavik said the drug could become an important addition to the treatment options for ADHD, but stressed that more data are needed before its effects on depression can be confirmed.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
