Disease × agent evidence record

Norepinephrine for ADHD: evidence, trials and status

Norepinephrine has both completed registered trials and synthesis-level publications linked to ADHD. That is the strongest profile in this database, but the summaries here do not extract effect sizes, so read the linked reviews for direction and magnitude of benefit.

7 registered trials 0 recruiting 17 publications Evidence tier A · Strong Score 76.5
Research Tracker › Pairs › ADHD › Norepinephrine
Research map, not treatment advice. This page aggregates registry and literature records. It does not evaluate efficacy, dosing or safety for any individual. Discuss any treatment decision with a qualified clinician.

Summary

Norepinephrine has reached the approved stage (maximum clinical phase 4) for at least one indication, so its use in ADHD would be drug repurposing rather than first-in-human development. This does not mean it is approved for ADHD. ClinicalTrials.gov lists 7 registered trials linking Norepinephrine to ADHD: 1 is active or not yet recruiting; 5 have completed; 1 is terminated, withdrawn, suspended or of unknown status. The most advanced is Phase 4 (NCT06573970). The largest enrolment is 516 participants (NCT05972044). Registration activity spans 2005 to 2026. The literature layer holds 17 publications for this pair: 5 Cochrane reviews, 3 meta-analyses, 3 systematic reviews, 1 randomised controlled trial publication and 5 clinical trial publications. Publication years run from 2021 to 2026. Because at least one synthesis-level source exists (systematic review, meta-analysis or Cochrane review), this pair has been assessed beyond single studies, although the synthesis may concern a different indication.

The RepurpOS disease-intelligence file for Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder ranks 305 candidate therapeutics from Open Targets, ChEMBL, DGIdb and PubMed; only a minority carry direct clinical evidence, and this page covers one of those. Spontaneous remission context recorded for the condition: Spontaneous remission by adulthood: 30-70% symptom reduction (depending on definition); functionally impairing ADHD persists into adulthood in 50-65% of childhood cases; DSMIV criteria met in adulthood in ~50%.

Open in Repurposing ExplorerADHD hubADHD biomarkers & interventions

Evidence table

Evidence tierA · Strong
Evidence score76.5 (trials 26.5, literature 30.0, tier 15, approved bonus 5.0)
Registered trials7 total: 0 recruiting, 1 active / not yet recruiting, 5 completed, 1 other
Linked publications17 (5 Cochrane reviews, 5 clinical trial publications, 3 meta-analyses, 3 systematic reviews, 1 randomised controlled trial publication)
Agent typeDrug (Small molecule)
Development stage (any indication)Approved
Mechanism / classagonist
Data sourcesDGIdb
Linked via biomarker / targetADRA2C
How the evidence score is calculated
  • Each registered trial scores by status (recruiting / active / enrolling 3, completed 2.5, not yet recruiting 2, unknown 1, terminated / withdrawn / suspended 0.5) plus a phase bonus (phase 3-4 +2, phase 2 +1, phase 1 +0.5). The trial component is capped at 30.
  • Each literature item scores by design (Cochrane review 5, meta-analysis 4, systematic review 3, RCT 3, clinical trial publication 2, curated reference 1.5, other PubMed record 1). The literature component is capped at 30.
  • The existing evidence tier adds 15 (A / Strong), 10 (B / Moderate), 5 (C / Preliminary) or 0 (D / Anecdotal).
  • Agents approved for any indication (max clinical phase 4) add 5, because an approved agent has an established safety profile that lowers the barrier to repurposing trials.
  • The score ranks what has been studied, not what works. It does not read effect sizes or directions of effect.

Registered clinical trials

NCT IDTitleStatusPhaseEnrolment
NCT00757029Pharmacogenetic Study of Methylphenidate in Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD)
2005
completedPhase 4150
NCT00914095Study of Methylphenidate to Treat Gait Disorders And Attention Deficit In Parkinson's Disease (PARKGAIT-II)
2009
completedPhase 469
NCT06573970Atomoxetine and Executive Function in PTSD
2026
not yet recruitingPhase 4160
NCT00862108Methylphenidate Treatment Response Study of Genetic Polymorphism in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD)
2008
status unknownPhase 450
NCT05972044A Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Solriamfetol in Subjects With ADHD (FOCUS)
2023
completedPhase 3516
NCT00983814Study of Droxidopa Treatment in Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder With Co-administration of Carbidopa
2009
completedPhase 220
NCT01912352Gene-environment Interactions and Brain Functional Connectivity in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
2010
completedNot applicable83

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Published literature

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Mechanism and notes

Recorded mechanism or class: agonist.

OSMF's existing evidence tier for this pair is A (Strong), derived from the strength of the disease association recorded in DGIdb, in this case via the biomarker or target ADRA2C. The tier describes how well the drug-disease link is documented, not how well the drug works.

Frequently asked questions

Is Norepinephrine approved for ADHD?

Norepinephrine has reached the approved stage (maximum clinical phase 4) for at least one indication, so its use in ADHD would be drug repurposing rather than first-in-human development. This does not mean it is approved for ADHD. Approval status for the specific indication should always be confirmed with the relevant regulator and prescribing information.

Is Norepinephrine in clinical trials for ADHD?

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 7 registered trials linking Norepinephrine to ADHD: 1 is active or not yet recruiting; 5 have completed; 1 is terminated, withdrawn, suspended or of unknown status. The most advanced is Phase 4 (NCT06573970). The largest enrolment is 516 participants (NCT05972044). Registration activity spans 2005 to 2026.

What does the evidence show for Norepinephrine in ADHD?

Norepinephrine has both completed registered trials and synthesis-level publications linked to ADHD. That is the strongest profile in this database, but the summaries here do not extract effect sizes, so read the linked reviews for direction and magnitude of benefit. OSMF's existing evidence tier for this pair is A (Strong), derived from the strength of the disease association recorded in DGIdb, in this case via the biomarker or target ADRA2C. The tier describes how well the drug-disease link is documented, not how well the drug works.

Cite this page

Open Source Medicine Foundation. Norepinephrine for ADHD: evidence, trials and status. OSMF Research Tracker. Updated 2026-07-05. https://research.opensourcemed.info/pairs/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/norepinephrine.html

Data: ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, Open Targets, ChEMBL, DGIdb and the OSMF therapeutic agent database. Last updated 2026-07-05. Page built 2026-10-07.

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This is a research map, not treatment advice. Evidence tiers and scores summarise what has been studied, not whether a treatment works or is safe for you.