Atomoxetine

CAUTION:
Studies have shown that children and teenagers with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; more difficulty focusing, controlling actions, and remaining still or quiet than other people who are the same age) who take atomoxetine are more likely to think about killing themselves than children and teenagers with ADHD who do not take atomoxetine.While your child is taking atomoxetine, you should watch his or her behavior very carefully, especially at the beginning of treatment and any time his or her dose is increased or decreased. Your child may develop serious symptoms very suddenly, so it is important to pay attention to his or her behavior every day. Ask other people who spend a lot of time with your child, such as brothers, sisters, and teachers to tell you if they notice changes in your child's behavior.

General Information and Indications:

Atomoxetine is used as part of a total treatment program to increase the ability to pay attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in children and adults with ADHD. Atomoxetine is in a class of medications called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. It works by increasing the levels of norepinephrine, a natural substance in the brain that is needed to control behavior.

Information For Users:

Atomoxetine comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without food either once a day in the morning, or twice a day in the morning and late afternoon or early evening. Take atomoxetine at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take atomoxetine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.

Swallow atomoxetine capsules whole; do not open, chew, or crush them. If a capsule is accidentally broken or opened, wash away the loose powder with water right away. Try not to touch the powder and be especially careful not to get the powder in your eyes. If you do get powder in your eyes, rinse them with water right away and call your doctor.

Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of atomoxetine and increase your dose after at least 3 days. Your doctor may increase your dose again after 2–4 weeks.

Atomoxetine may help control the symptoms of ADHD but does not cure the condition. Continue taking atomoxetine even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking atomoxetine without informing your doctor.

Special precautions:

o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to atomoxetine, any other medications, or any of the inactive ingredients in atomoxetine capsules.
o do not take atomoxetine if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including isocaraboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl), and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or if you have stopped taking them within the past 2 weeks. If you stop taking atomoxetine, you should wait at least 2 weeks before you start taking an MAO inhibitor.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: albuterol syrup or tablets (Proventil, Ventolin), amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), bupropion (Wellbutrin), chlorpheniramine (antihistamine in cold medications),cimetidine (Tagamet), clomipramine (Anafranil), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), haloperidol (Haldol), metaproterenol syrup or tablets (Metaprel), medications for high blood pressure, methadone (Dolophine), metoclopramide (Reglan), nefazodone, paroxetine (Paxil), quinidine, ritonavir (Norvir), sertraline (Zoloft), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and venlafaxine (Effexor). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
o Inform your doctor if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had depression or bipolar disorder (manic depressive disorder; a condition that causes episodes of depression, episodes of frenzied, abnormal excitement and other abnormal moods) or has ever thought about or attempted suicide. Also inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding glaucoma (an eye disease that may cause vision loss), high or low blood pressure, fast or irregular heartbeat, a stroke, a ministroke, or heart or liver disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking atomoxetine, call your doctor.
o you should know that atomoxetine may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
o you should know that atomoxetine has caused severe liver damage in some patients. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms: itchy skin, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes, pain in the upper right part of your stomach, or flu-like symptoms.
o you should know that atomoxetine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
o you should know that atomoxetine should be used as part of a total treatment program for ADHD, which may include counseling and special education. Make sure to follow all of your doctor's and/or therapist's instructions.

Possible Adverse Effects:

Atomoxetine may cause adverse effects. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:

o heartburn
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o loss of appetite (anorexia)
o weight loss
o constipation
o stomach pain
o gas
o dry mouth
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o dizziness
o headache
o mood swings
o decreased sex drive or ability
o difficulty in urination
o painful or irregular menstrual periods
o cough
o runny nose
o pain or pressure in the face
o fever
o chills
o muscle pain
o sweating
o hot flashes
o difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
o unusual dreams
o burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs

Some adverse effects could be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those listed in the CAUTION or SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor without delay:

o fast or pounding heartbeat
o swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
o hoarseness
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
o hives (Urticaria)
o rash
o aggressive or violent behavior

Atomoxetine may slow down children's growth or weight gain. Your child's doctor will probably monitor him or her carefully during his or her treatment with atomoxetine. Talk to your child's doctor about the risks of giving this medication to your child.

Possible Symptoms of Overdose:

o sleepiness
o agitation
o an increase in activity or talking
o abnormal behavior
o stomach problems
o wide pupils (black circles in the middle of the eyes)
o fast heartbeat
o dry mouth

Brand Name(s):

o Strattera