What is Atomoxetine?
Atomoxetine is a medication used to treat the condition known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Atomoxetine can also be employed for other purposes that are not covered in this medication guideline.
Warnings
Some people contemplate suicide when taking atomoxetine. Be attentive to any changes regarding your mental state or symptoms. Be sure to report any new or worsening symptoms to your physician.
Do not take atomoxetine if you've used an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days, including linezolid, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, methylene blue injection, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
Atomoxetine could trigger an increase or worsening of psychosis (unusual behaviors or thoughts), particularly when you've had an established past history of depression or mental illness as well as bipolar disorder.
Atomoxetine can cause heart attacks, strokes, and sudden deaths in patients who suffer from hypertension, coronary disease, or heart defects.
Before taking this medication
Do not take atomoxetine if you've used an MAO inhibitor within the last 14 days. A potentially dangerous interaction between drugs could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, Methylene Blue injection, rasagiline, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and o others
It is not recommended to use atomoxetine if you have an allergy to it or if you suffer from
- Serious heart or blood vessel issues;
- Narrow-angle glaucoma; or
- Pheochromocytoma (tumor in the adrenal gland)
Atomoxetine has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, and sudden deaths in certain individuals. Tell your doctor whether you suffer from:
- Heart problems or a congenital heart defect;
- High blood pressure or
- A family background or a family history of the heart and sudden deaths
Speak to your doctor if you have ever suffered from
- Depression, mental illness, bipolar disorder, psychosis;
- Suicidal thoughts, actions, or thoughts;
- Lower blood pressure or the liver condition.
Many people contemplate suicide when taking Atomoxetine. Your doctor must examine your progress every few checkups. Family members and other caregivers should be on the lookout for changes in your mood or symptoms.
Inform your doctor if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant.
If you're pregnant and you are a registered mother, your name could be added to a registry for pregnant women to track what effects atomoxetine has on the infant.
It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medication. Consult your physician about any potential risks.
Atomoxetine is not a drug that is approved for use by anyone less than six years old.
How to Take Atomoxetine?
Follow all the instructions on your prescription label, and go through all medication guides or instructions. Your doctor might alter the dose you take. Make sure you take the medication exactly as prescribed.
Use the medicine every day, along with a large glass of fluid.
Atomoxetine should be taken once each day in the morning or twice a day, in the morning and in the late afternoon. Follow the instructions of your physician.
It is possible to take atomoxetine in combination with food or not.
Consume the capsule whole, and don't crush, chew on, or break it. Consult your physician when you experience difficulty swallowing capsules.
Your doctor should examine your performance regularly. Your heart rate, blood pressure, and weight, as well as your height, could require frequent examination.
Keep at room temperature, free of heat and moisture.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Do not take the medicine for as long as you are able, but avoid your missed dose if it's nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
The symptoms of an overdose can include drowsiness, stomach issues, dizziness, shaking, or other unusual behaviors.
Avoid this
Avoid handling or using a capsule that is broken or open. If the powder inside the capsule enters your eyes, wash them with water immediately and contact your doctor.
Avoid driving and other hazardous activities until you are aware of the effects of atomoxetine on your body. The way you react could be affected.
Side Effects of Atomoxetine
See a doctor immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your lips, tongue, throat, or face,
Inform your doctor about any new or worsening symptoms, for example, anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you are feeling uncontrollably angry, irritable, aggressive, anxious, hyperactive (mentally and physically), or depressed. You may also think about suicide or self-harm.
Atomoxetine can affect growth in children. Inform your doctor that your child isn't growing normally when taking this medication.
Atomoxetine could cause severe adverse effects. Consult your physician immediately in the event that you experience:
- Symptoms of heart trouble: chest discomfort, difficulty breathing, and feeling as if you could be struck;
- Signs of psychosis: hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), new behavior problems, aggression, hostility, and paranoia;
- Stomach symptoms, stomach pain (upper right side) Itching and flu-like symptoms; dark urine; jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin);
- Difficulty or painful urination, and
- The erection may be painful or last for more than four hours (this is an uncommon adverse result).
Common adverse effects of atomoxetine could include:
- Nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation
- Dry mouth, lack of appetite
- Mood shifts, feeling tired
- Dizziness
- Urination issues
- impotence: Trouble getting an intimate erection
This is not a comprehensive list of possible side effects, and other side effects could occur. Contact your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You can report adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Details on Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Attention Deficit Disorder:
Initial Dose: 40 mg/day orally.
Maintenance Dose: Increase dose to 80 mg/day orally following three days of the initial dose.
Maximum Dose: Following two to four additional weeks, the dose can be increased to up to 100 mg/day for patients who haven't achieved the optimal level of response.
Comments: Take a dose once each day in the early morning OR in doses evenly divided in the morning and later in the afternoon or early evening.
Use: Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Usual Pediatric Dose for Attention Deficit Disorder:
70 kg or Less:
Initial Dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day orally.
Maintenance dose Increase dose to 1.2 mg/kg/day following three days on the initial dose.
Maximum dosage: 1.4 mg/kg/day or 100 mg/day, or the lesser amount.
Over 70 kilos:
Initial Dose: 40 mg/day orally.
Maintenance dose: Increase dosage up to 80 mg/day after at least 3 days on the initial dose.
Maximum dose: After two to four weeks, the dosage can be increased to 100 mg/day for patients who haven't had the optimal level of response.
Comments: Take the dose one time every day in the morning, OR in doses evenly divided in the morning and later in the afternoon or early evening.
Use: Treatment for the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6 and over.
Interaction with Other Drugs
Discuss with your physician all the medicines you are currently taking and any new medications you begin or stop taking, particularly:
- An antidepressant
- Asthma medication
- Blood pressure medicine; or an allergy or cold medicine that has a decongestant, like pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine.
This list isn't exhaustive. Other drugs can interact with Atomoxetine, which includes medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal products. There are many possible interactions between drugs that are listed here.
