(IsraelNN.com) Israeli researchers have found that the medication reboxetine may provide an answer for children and adults who cannot take Ritalin for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

The researchers studied 27 boys ages 6 to 16 for eight weeks in the outpatient clinic at the Be'er Ya'akov-Ness Ziona Mental Health Center. The study was published in the July-August 2009 issue of Clinical Neuropharmacology.

Approximately 10 percent of school-age children are estimated to be affected with ADHD, which is a neurobehavioral condition. It is believed that most people do not outgrow ADHD; however, many people are able to overcome the symptoms through a combination of therapy and medical treatment.

Reboxetine (tradenames Edronax, Norebox, Prolift, Davedax, Solvex or Vestra) is a selective-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) that has been used in the past to treat clinical depression and panic disorder. It has also been used as a second-line alternative in the treatment of ADHD, for those who either do not respond to or cannot tolerate a stimulant.

The most common side effects of reboxetine include difficulty sleeping, dry mouth, constipation, sweating, loss of appetite and headache.

Methylphenidate (MPH), or Ritalin, is a stimulant medication which has been used in the treatment of ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, for more than 50 years. The most common side effects faced by those who use it include headaches, stomachaches and/or loss of appetite.

At the end of eight weeks, both reboxetine and MPH treatment regimens resulted in significant improvement in ADHD symptoms.