Atomoxetine

Pronunciation: A-toe-MOX-e-teen
Generic Name: Atomoxetine
Brand Name: Strattera

Atomoxetine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children and teenagers with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Be sure that the benefits of using Atomoxetine outweigh the risks. Talk with the patient's doctor if you have any questions.

Families and caregivers must closely watch patients who take Atomoxetine. It is important to keep in close contact with the patient's doctor. Tell the doctor right away if the patient has symptoms like worsened depression, suicidal thoughts, or changes in behavior. Discuss any questions with the patient's doctor.

Atomoxetine is used for:

Treating ADHD.

Atomoxetine is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Exactly how it works to treat ADHD is not known. Atomoxetine increases certain chemicals (eg, norepinephrine) in the brain, which may affect attention span and behavior.

Do NOT use Atomoxetine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Atomoxetine


• you have certain heart problems (eg, heart defect, heart muscle problems), certain types of irregular heartbeat, severe blood vessel problems, or narrow-angle glaucoma


• you have or have a history of a certain type of adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)


• you are taking or have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) (eg, phenelzine) within the last 14 days

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Atomoxetine:

Some medical conditions may interact with Atomoxetine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you or a family member has a history of bipolar disorder (manic depression), other mental or mood problems, suicidal thoughts or attempts, or alcohol or substance abuse


• if you or a family member has a history of heart problems (eg, heart failure; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat), a heart attack, an abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG), a stroke or bleeding in the brain, blood or bleeding problems, high or low blood pressure, or sudden death


• if you have a history of seizures


• if you have liver problems, trouble urinating, or Raynaud syndrome


• if you take a decongestant (eg, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine) or medicine for high blood pressure

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Atomoxetine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• MAOIs (eg, phenelzine) because severe and sometimes fatal side effects, including severe high blood pressure, high fever, muscle problems, severe agitation, and coma, may occur


• Quinidine or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine, paroxetine) because they may increase the risk of Atomoxetine's side effects


• Albuterol because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Atomoxetine

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Atomoxetine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Atomoxetine:

Use Atomoxetine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Atomoxetine comes with an extra patient information sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it carefully. Read it again each time you get Atomoxetine refilled.


• Take Atomoxetine by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.


• Swallow Atomoxetine whole. Do not break, crush, chew, or open the capsules.


• Taking Atomoxetine at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.


• Continue to take Atomoxetine even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Atomoxetine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Atomoxetine.

Important safety information:

• Atomoxetine may cause dizziness, drowsiness, light-headedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Atomoxetine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Atomoxetine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Atomoxetine should be used as part of a complete treatment program. Be sure to follow the program given to you by your doctor or health care provider.


• Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or take for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.


• Serious side effects, including a heart attack, a stroke, and sudden death, have occurred with the use of the medicine in patients with heart defects or other serious heart problems. If you have a heart defect or other serious problem, talk with your doctor about other therapies to treat your condition.


• Children and teenagers who take Atomoxetine may be at increased risk of suicidal thoughts or actions. Adults may also be affected. The risk may be greater in patients who have had suicidal thoughts or actions in the past. The risk may also be greater in patients who have had bipolar (manic-depressive) illness, or if their family members have had it. Watch patients who take Atomoxetine closely. Contact the doctor at once if new, worsened, or sudden symptoms, such as depressed mood; anxious, restless, or irritable behavior; panic attacks; or any unusual change in mood or behavior, occur. Contact the doctor right away if any signs of suicidal thoughts or actions occur.


• Do not try to open the capsules or take them apart. If a capsule breaks, do not touch it. Wash your hands and any surfaces that touched a broken capsule. Do not get Atomoxetine in your eye; it may irritate your eye if you do. If you get Atomoxetine in your eyes or nose, rinse at once with cool water.


• Atomoxetine may rarely cause a prolonged, painful erection. This could happen even when you are not having sex. If this is not treated right away, it could lead to permanent sexual problems such as impotence. Contact your doctor right away if this happens.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Atomoxetine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Lab tests, including heart rate, blood pressure, and liver function, may be performed while you take Atomoxetine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Atomoxetine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.


• Atomoxetine may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they take Atomoxetine.


• Atomoxetine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 6 years; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Atomoxetine while you are pregnant. It is not known if Atomoxetine is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take Atomoxetine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Atomoxetine:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Constipation; coughing; decreased appetite; decreased sexual desire; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; fatigue; flushing; headache; increased sweating; mild stomach pain or upset; nausea; tiredness; trouble sleeping; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thoughts or elevated mood (mania); change in feeling of touch or other senses (eg, smell, taste); chest pain; confusion; decreased or difficult urination; decreased sexual ability (eg, impotence, ejaculation problems); fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; menstrual cycle changes; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, anxiety, depression, irritability, persistent crying, unusual sadness); new or worsening behavior changes (eg, aggression, hostility, impulsivity, restlessness); numbness or tingling; one-sided weakness; panic attacks; prolonged or painful erection; seizure; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; severe or persistent trouble sleeping, fatigue, or tiredness; shortness of breath; stomach pain or tenderness; suicidal thoughts or attempts; symptoms of liver damage (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes, itching, dark urine, pale stools, loss of appetite, right upper stomach pain, unexplained flu-like symptoms); tics; unusual vision or speech changes; unusually cold or blue fingers or toes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Atomoxetine side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include abnormal behavior; agitation; enlarged pupils; fast or irregular heartbeat; hyperactivity; mental changes (eg, disorientation, hallucinations); nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; seizures; severe dizziness, sleepiness, or drowsiness; severe dry mouth; severe or persistent headache; tremor.

Proper storage of Atomoxetine:

Store Atomoxetine at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Atomoxetine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Atomoxetine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Atomoxetine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Atomoxetine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Atomoxetine resources

• Atomoxetine Side Effects (in more detail)
• Atomoxetine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Atomoxetine Drug Interactions
• Atomoxetine Support Group
• 93 Reviews for Atomoxetine - Add your own review/rating

• Atomoxetine Prescribing Information (FDA)


• atomoxetine Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Atomoxetine Hydrochloride Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Strattera Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Strattera Consumer Overview

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