Evaluating a medication for preschool children with ADHD
Official title: A Phase 4, Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study of the Efficacy and Safety of SPN-812 in Preschool-Age Children (4 to 5 Years Old) With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Run by Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. · NCT04781140 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new medication for preschool children with ADHD to see if it helps them manage their symptoms better than a placebo.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 4 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 48 Months to 69 Months |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 286 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Industry-sponsored |
| Locations | 54 sites (Saraland, Alabama and 53 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | March 19, 2024 |
| Main results expected | January 2028 |
| Study ends | January 2028 |
| Registry record updated | October 5, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT04781140 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are healthy children aged 4 to 5 years with a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not meet the age criteria or do not have a diagnosis of ADHD will not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study assesses the efficacy and safety of SPN-812, an extended-release capsule of viloxazine, in preschool-age children aged 4 to 5 years diagnosed with ADHD. It is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving two groups receiving either the medication or a placebo over a 6-week treatment period. Participants will be screened for eligibility for up to 4 weeks prior to treatment, with a total study duration of up to 10 weeks. The study aims to provide insights into the medication's effectiveness in this young population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new treatment option for preschool children suffering from ADHD.
How similar studies have gone: Other studies have shown promise in treating ADHD in older children, but this specific approach in preschoolers is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Is male or female 4 years 0 months of age to less than or equal to 5 years 9 months of age at Visit 1 (Screening) and considered medically healthy.
2. Subject's parent(s) or legal guardian(s)/representative(s) is (are) willing and able to provide written informed consent before completing any study related procedures.
3. Has a primary diagnosis of ADHD according to DSM-IV-TR criteria and confirmed with the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia - Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL).
4. Has an ADHD-RS-IV-P Total Score of ≥ 28 (males) or ≥ 24 (females) at Visit 1 (Screening) and at Visit 2 (Baseline).
5. Has a CGI-S score of ≥ 4 (moderate or worse) at Visit 1 (Screening) and at Visit 2 (Baseline).
6. Has undergone an adequate course of non-pharmacologic treatment or is having symptoms severe enough to warrant pharmacologic treatment without prior non-pharmacologic treatment.
7. Is participating in a structured group activity (e.g., preschool, kindergarten, sports, Sunday school, summer camp or childcare program) at least 2 days a week during study so as to assess symptoms and impairment in a setting outside the home.
8. Has not initiated any behavioral intervention/therapy within 30 days of Visit 1 (Screening) and does not plan to initiate any new or discontinue any ongoing behavioral intervention/therapy during the study (e.g., subject is eligible if behavioral intervention/therapy is initiated 30 or more days prior to Visit 1 \[Screening\] and continues with a similar duration/frequency throughout their study).
9. Subjects who are on ADHD medication at Visit 1 (Screening), but whose ADHD symptoms are not well controlled on current ADHD medication (e.g., meets Inclusion Criterion #4), meet all other inclusion/exclusion criteria, and discontinues ADHD medication at least 7 days prior to the day of Visit 2 (Baseline) are eligible to participate.
10. Has no current condition in the opinion of the Investigator that could confound efficacy assessments, safety assessments or increase participant risk.
11. Has lived with the same parent(s) or legal guardian(s) or has lived under a shared living arrangement (e.g., joint legal custody) for greater than or equal to 6 months prior to Visit 1 (Screening).
12. Has a body weight ≥5th percentile for age and sex at Visit 1 (Screening) and Visit 2 (Baseline).
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Has a diagnosis at Screening (per K-SADS-PL) of another psychiatric disorder that is considered to be the primary diagnosis rather than ADHD or has a comorbid psychiatric disorder secondary to ADHD that, in the opinion of the investigator (after consulting medical monitor), will likely interfere with study treatment adherence and/or impact study results.
2. Has a current diagnosis of a major neurological disorder. The eligibility of those who have seizures, a history of seizure-like events (e.g., syncope, myoclonus, severe muscle spasms), a family history of seizure disorder (immediate family, i.e., sibling, parent), and/or febrile seizures will be assessed on a case-by-case basis after consulting the medical monitor.
3. History of Bipolar Disorder diagnosed in a first degree relative.
4. Has global development delay or intellectual disability by medical history.
5. Has a current diagnosis of a significant (per Investigator's evaluation and/or judgement) systemic disease.
6. Has body mass index \> 95th percentile for the subject's age and sex at Visit 1 (Screening) or Visit 2 (Baseline).
7. Has a mean resting systolic and diastolic blood pressure\* that are both \>95th percentile for age sex, and height and has a mean resting pulse rate\* that is \>95th percentile for age and sex (males: \>117 bpm; females: \>122 bpm) at Visit 1 (Screening) or Visit 2 (Baseline). \* Note: The mean of three measurements while seated.
8. Has a clinically significant electrocardiogram finding(s) at Visit 1 (Screening).
9. Is currently taking SPN-812 for ADHD, has previously taken SPN-812 for ADHD, but discontinued due to a lack of efficacy or adverse reactions, or has history of allergic reaction, hypersensitivity or intolerance to viloxazine.
10. Has an allergy to or cannot swallow pudding and applesauce and cannot swallow intact capsule whole.
11. Has any food allergy, intolerance, restriction or special diet that, in the opinion of the Investigator, could contraindicate the subject's participation in the study.
12. Has received any investigational drug within the longer of 30 days or 5 half-lives prior to Visit 2 (e.g., first dose of study medication).
13. Has a positive urine drug test at Visit 1 (Screening). A positive test for amphetamines is allowed for subjects receiving a stimulant ADHD medication at Screening. The subject will be required to discontinue the stimulant for the duration of the study, beginning at least 7 days prior to Visit 2 (Baseline).
14. Is using of prohibited concomitant medications including known CYP1A2 substrates (e.g., theophylline, melatonin) during the Screening Period or (anticipated) for the duration of the study.
15. Any reason that, in the opinion of the Investigator, would prevent the subject from participating in the study.
16. Has suicidal ideation ("Yes" indicated on C-SSRS question 4 or 5) or suicidal behavior ("Yes" indicated on C-SSRS for any suicidal behavior) within 6 months prior to or the day of Visit 1 (Screening) or has attempted suicide ("Yes" indicated on C-SSRS for lifetime).
Where it's running
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The Center for Clinical Trials, Inc.
Saraland, Alabama, United States Recruiting -
Preferred Research Partners, Inc.
Little Rock, Arkansas, United States Recruiting -
Advanced Research Center (ARC), Inc.
Anaheim, California, United States Recruiting -
Sun Valley Research Center
Imperial, California, United States Recruiting -
Alliance Research
Long Beach, California, United States Recruiting -
IMMUNOe Research Centers
Centennial, Colorado, United States Recruiting
Show 44 more locations
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Luna Research Center
Coral Gables, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Clinical Neuroscience Solutions, Inc.
Jacksonville, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Avantis Clinical Research LLC
Miami, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Medical Research Group of Central Florida
Orange City, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Clinical Neuroscience Solutions, Inc.
Orlando, Florida, United States Recruiting -
APG Research LLC
Orlando, Florida, United States Recruiting -
D&H Tamarac Research Center
Tamarac, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Hope Research Network, LLC.
Virginia Gardens, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Pediatric Neurology and Epilepsy Specialists
Winter Park, Florida, United States Recruiting -
Advanced Discovery Research LLC
Atlanta, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
Clinical Integrative Research Center of Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
CenExcel iResearch, LLC
Decatur, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
CenExel iResearch, LLC.
Savannah, Georgia, United States Recruiting -
Kentucky Pediatric/Adult Research
Bardstown, Kentucky, United States Recruiting -
DelRicht Research
Prairieville, Louisiana, United States Recruiting -
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Baltimore, Maryland, United States Recruiting -
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting -
Neurobehavioral Medicine Group
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, United States Recruiting -
Precise Research Centers
Flowood, Mississippi, United States Recruiting -
Clinical Research of Southern Nevada, LLC.
Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Recruiting -
Med Clinical Research
Irvington, New Jersey, United States Recruiting -
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
Neptune City, New Jersey, United States Recruiting -
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, United States Recruiting -
Cyn3rgy Research
Gresham, Oregon, United States Recruiting -
Penn State Health Medical Group - Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting -
Coastal Carolina Research Center
North Charleston, South Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Coastal Pediatric Research
Summerville, South Carolina, United States Recruiting -
Clinical Neuroscience Solutions, Inc.
Memphis, Tennessee, United States Recruiting -
AIM Trials, LLC
Plano, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Family Psych of The Woodlands
The Woodlands, Texas, United States Recruiting -
Clinical Research Partners, LLC
Petersburg, Virginia, United States Recruiting -
Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Treatment Center for Children
Richmond, Virginia, United States Recruiting -
Preferred Research Partners-NWA, LLC
Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States Withdrawn -
Wake Research-Pharmacology Research Institute (WR-PRI), LLC [Encino]
Encino, California, United States Withdrawn -
National Institute of Clinical Research (PICR)
Garden Grove, California, United States Terminated -
Wake Research-Pharmacology Research Institute (WR-PRI), LLC [Newport Beach]
Newport Beach, California, United States Withdrawn -
Vertex Clinical Research, LLC
Clermont, Florida, United States Withdrawn -
Sarkis Clinical Trials
Gainesville, Florida, United States Terminated -
Accel Research Sites - Lakeland CRU
Lakeland, Florida, United States Terminated -
Qualmedica Research, LLC.
Evansville, Indiana, United States Terminated -
Qualmedica Research, LLC.
Owensboro, Kentucky, United States Terminated -
DelRicht Research (Touro Medical Center)
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States Terminated -
Hassman Research Institute
Berlin, New Jersey, United States Withdrawn
+4 more sites. See ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Olivia Elbaum
- Email: clinicaltrials@supernus.com
- Phone: 301-838-2500
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.