New ADHD Educational Resource Now Available

Millions of children, adolescents, and adults who struggle with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) themselves, or know a family member, friend, student or co-worker affected by this common neurobehavioral disorder, now have a new informative resource, www.focusonadhd.com, to help them better understand and manage the condition. The comprehensive Web site offers up-to-date information, resources and encouragement to educate people about the impact of ADHD across different life stages.

The site includes a wealth of information about ADHD diagnosis and management, dispels common myths about the condition, and offers information about currently available treatment options that can be discussed with a doctor or other healthcare professional.

"Not having enough information about ADHD and how to manage it or knowing where to go for help can be major barriers to diagnosis and treatment," says Peggy DeFelice, M.D., a clinical care physician in Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at Kids First Flourtown -- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Primary Care Network. "Left untreated, children with ADHD can suffer academically and experience behavioral, social, and emotional problems through adulthood. FocusonADHD.com is an informative and helpful resource for individuals with ADHD as well as those who take care of, teach, and work with people who have the disorder."

Among the site’s features:

* Interactive ADHD Awareness Quiz: Visitors can test their "ADHD AQ" (Awareness Quotient) by separating fact from fiction to see how much they know about ADHD.

* "Ask the Expert": A panel of experts answers a new ADHD-related question each week; visitors can submit questions and review answers to other previously featured questions.

* Latest ADHD Treatments: Up-to-date information about a variety of currently available treatment options, including behavioral therapy and medication, which can be discussed with a doctor or other healthcare professional. The site also includes descriptions of different types of healthcare professionals and what each specialist can do to help individuals with ADHD, as well as helpful links to how to find these specialists.

* ADHD Library: Helpful materials including a symptoms checklist, educational tip sheets for teenagers with ADHD and their parents and teachers, and a glossary of common terms that people may come across as they explore ADHD diagnosis and treatment.

* The Faces of ADHD: Short stories about children, adolescents and adults with ADHD, offering visitors to the site a glimpse into the worlds of these individuals.

FocusonADHD.com is sponsored by McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, makers of CONCERTA (methylphenidate HCl) CII, a prescription medication that is part of a total treatment program for managing ADHD. The Web site is not intended to substitute for a clinical and psychological evaluation by qualified medical professionals with experience in the diagnosis and/or treatment of ADHD.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

For more information, contact Gary Esterow, McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals, (215) 273-8654, gester1@mccus.jnj.com or Kathryn Mayurnik, Fleishman-Hillard, (212) 453-2000, mayurnik@fleishman.com.

About CONCERTA

CONCERTA (methylphenidate HCl) CII is a once-daily extended-release formulation of methylphenidate approved to treat ADHD. The efficacy of CONCERTA has been confirmed in studies conducted in children and adolescents between 6 and 18 years of age. Only a doctor can determine if medication is the right treatment for individuals with ADHD.

CONCERTA uses an advanced OROS extended-release delivery system to deliver a controlled rate of medication throughout the day. Because of its unique OROS system, CONCERTA minimizes the ups and downs in blood levels experienced with stimulant medications taken several times a day.

CONCERTA should not be taken by patients with: significant anxiety, tension, or agitation; allergies to methylphenidate or other ingredients in CONCERTA; glaucoma, Tourette’s syndrome, tics, or family history of Tourette’s syndrome; current/recent use of monoamine oxidase (MAOIs). Abuse of methylphenidate may lead to dependence. CONCERTA should not be taken by children under 6 years of age.

In clinical studies with patients using CONCERTA, the most common side effects were headache, stomach pain, sleeplessness, and decreased appetite. For more information about CONCERTA, including full U.S. prescribing information, please visit www.concerta.net or call (888) 440-7903.