Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to investigate the safety and efficacy of two dexamfetamine sulfate formulations in adults with ADHD and moderate to severe depression (DEXAD)

Prior treatment

• Participation in another interventional clinical trial during the trial and within the previous 30 days prior to trial start
• Current use and use within the last 2 weeks before inclusion of not permitted concomitant medication (as defined in protocol) due to possible interactions with stimulants or SSRIs/SNRIs and possible resulting or expected side effects:

Other illness

• Current or a history of severe co-morbid symptoms such as psychotic symptoms, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders or manic episodes
• Diagnosis or family history of Tourette’s syndrome or dystonia
• Pre-existing cerebrovascular disorders such as cerebral aneurysm, vascular abnormalities including vasculitis or stroke
• Immunodeficiency disorders (e.g. organ transplantation, HIV infection)
• Known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients of the trial medication, e.g. patients with known rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance
• Current or recent history of substance abuse disorder within the last 6 months of clinical trial entry
• History of serotonin syndrome events
• History of seizures or use of anticonvulsant medication
• Any other uncontrolled psychiatric condition that requires medication or may interfere with trial participation
• Known symptomatic cardiovascular disease including structural abnormalities, moderate and severe hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥160 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥100 mmHg), heart failure, myocardial infarction, arterial occlusive disease, angina, haemodynamically significant congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, potentially life-threatening arrhythmias and channelopathies (diseases caused by ion channel dysfunction)
• Significant, in the discretion of the investigator, hepatic, gastrointestinal, renal, haematological or oncologic disorder

Other

• Males or females of reproductive potential not willing to use effective contraception (defined as PEARL index <1 - e.g. contraceptive pill, IUD) during the study period (Screening to Follow-up)
• Pregnancy and lactation
• Patients who are institutionalised by court order or regulatory action
• Patients, who are members of the staff of the trial centre, staff of the sponsor or involved Clinical Research Organisation (CRO), the investigator him- / herself or close relatives of the investigator
• Legal incapacity and/ or other circumstances rendering the patient unable to understand the nature, scope and possible impact of the clinical trial
• Patients with body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m² or >35 kg/m²
• Diagnosis of glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, pheochromocytoma or porphyria

• Diagnosis of attention deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (according to DSM-5 or ICD guidelines) which started in childhood (at the age of <12 years)
• Patient is either free of stimulant medication or who, after discussion with his / her treating physician, is able and willing to discontinue the current psychotropic medication(s) for treatment of ADHD symptoms (specifically, methylphenidate, lisdexamfetamine, guanfacine or atomoxetine or any other medication approved for the treatment of ADHD) ) for the duration of the study, as well as is able and willing to discontinue all relevant co-medication according to exclusion criterion no. 20a-s for comorbid conditions during the clinical trial, if applicable
• Patient has a minimum ADHS-DC-Q total score of 32 at baseline (V0)
• Moderate to severe depression according to ICD-10 (depressive episode: Code F32; recurrent depressive disorder: Code F33) and with a MADRS score of >20 at baseline (V0)
• CGI-S ≥ 4 at baseline (V0)
• Patients receiving SSRIs or SNRIs (stable doses within the last 2 weeks before inclusion) (≤40 mg (es)citalopram, 50-200 mg sertraline, 75 - 300 mg venlafaxine extended release)
• Male or female patients ≥ 18 years and ≤ 65 at time of enrolment
• Patients with QTc interval within normal ranges (≤470 ms in males and ≤480 ms in females)
• Written informed consent and data protection declaration obtained prior to the initiation of any protocol required procedures
• Willing and able to comply to study procedures and study protocol