Atomoxetine
About Atomoxetine
Atomoxetine belongs to a group of drugs known as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Atomoxetine is antidepressant which is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders that affect children. ADHD also affects many adults. Symptoms of ADHD include hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting), inattention (not being able to keep focus), and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur at the moment without thought). It is seen thrice as commonly in boys as in girls. The main cause of the disease is unknown but some factors include genetics, food activities, environmental factors, cigarette smoking, and alcohol abuse during pregnancy.
Atomoxetine contains ‘Atomoxetine’ which moderates the activity of a few chemical messengers in the brain, which decreases restlessness and increases attention. It is a medicine used for depression.
Take Atomoxetine as prescribed. You are advised to take Atomoxetine for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical condition. You may experience certain common side effects such as headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, sleepiness, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Before taking Atomoxetine inform your doctor if you have any allergy, heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, or pheochromocytoma. If you are taking another antidepressant for the last 14 days, then inform your doctor. Do not stop, start, or change the dose of any drug without informing your doctor. This Atomoxetine may disturb growth in children and teens in several cases. They may need regular check-ups for growth. Use with care in children and inform your doctor. Inform your doctor before taking Atomoxetine if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy as it may cause risk to the baby. If you are breastfeeding mother immediately contact your doctor.
Uses of Atomoxetine
Medicinal Benefits
Atomoxetine belongs to a group of drugs known as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Atomoxetine is antidepressant which is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Atomoxetine contains ‘Atomoxetine’ which moderates the activity of few chemical messengers in the brain, which decreases restlessness and increases attention. It is a medicine used in depression.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Atomoxetine
- Headache
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
- Decreased appetite
- Sleepiness
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
Drug Warnings
Before taking Atomoxetine inform your doctor if you have any allergy, heart disease, high blood pressure, glaucoma, or pheochromocytoma. If you are taking another antidepressant in the last 14 days, then inform your doctor. Do not stop, start, or change the dose of any drug without informing your doctor. This Atomoxetine may disturb growth in children and teens in several cases. They may need regular check-ups for growth. Use with care in children and inform your doctor. Atomoxetine increased the risk of suicidal thoughts or actions in children and teens. All people who take Atomoxetine need to be watched closely. Inform the doctor right away if signs like panic attacks, nervousness, depression, irritability, restlessness, or mood changes are new or worse. Inform the doctor immediately if any thoughts or actions of suicide occur. Inform your doctor before taking Atomoxetine if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy as it may cause risk to the baby. If you are a breastfeeding mother immediately contact your doctor.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug interactions: Atomoxetine may interact with other antidepressants (isocarboxazid, fluoxetine, bupropion), antibiotics (linezolid), pain killers (aspirin)
Drug-Food interactions: Avoid alcoholic drinks as it may increase the risk of side effects when taken along with Atomoxetine.
Drug-Disease interactions: Atomoxetine should be used with caution in patients with glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, psychiatric disease, liver disease, and kidney disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeDo not drink alcohol with this Atomoxetine because it may produce more dizziness and drowsiness.
Pregnancy
cautionThis Atomoxetine should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Inform your doctor before breast-feeding.
Driving
cautionIf you experience drowsiness, dizziness, or a headache as side-effects when using Atomoxetine then it may not be safe to drive or operate heavy machinery.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have liver disease or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
safe if prescribedAtomoxetine can be given to children if prescribed by the doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
- Avoid processed or packed foods and foods that are high in refined sugars.
- Exercise regularly.
- Lose excess weight and keep a check on your weight.
- Avoid stress.
- Improve your mood by being active, socializing with others, and talking about your feelings.
- Quit alcohol intake and smoking.
Special Advise
- Inform your doctor if you feel unusual changes in mood or suicidal thoughts.
- Do not stop taking Atomoxetine without talking to your doctor first.
- Your doctor will monitor your heart rate and blood pressure regularly while taking the medicine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): It is one of the most common mental disorders that affect children. ADHD also affects many adults. Symptoms of ADHD include hyperactivity (excess movement that is not fitting to the setting), inattention (not being able to keep focus), and impulsivity (hasty acts that occur at the moment without thought). An estimated 2.5 percent of adults and 8.4 percent of children have ADHD. It is seen thrice as commonly in boys as in girls. The main cause of the disease is unknown but some factors include genetics, food activities, environmental factors, cigarette smoking, and alcohol abuse during pregnancy.
FAQs
Atomoxetine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Immediately contact to your doctor if you did not take at correct time. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.
If you are taking Atomoxetine and have high blood pressure, inform your doctor before using OTC (without prescription drugs) products that may increase blood pressure.
You can feel dizzy while taking this Atomoxetine. To lower the chance of feeling dizzy, rise slowly if you have been lying down or sitting. Be careful about going up and downstairs.
Immediately go to the emergency department of your nearest hospital. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.
Atomoxetine starts working within a few weeks. However, it can take 8-12 weeks to show its complete effect. Some people may notice an increased response for up to 24 weeks or longer.
Yes, nausea is common during the treatment with Atomoxetine. If you experience nausea drink enough water, get plenty of fresh air, drink ginger or peppermint tea, eat smaller or more frequent meals, avoid activity after eating, and avoid fried foods.
You should call a doctor immediately if you notice symptoms like fast or pounding heartbeat, chest pain, shortness of breath, dysarthria (slow or difficult speech), dizziness or faintness, weakness or numbness of an arm or leg; itchy skin, dark urine, yellowing of your skin or eyes, flu-like symptoms, pain in the upper right part of your stomach, swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs; hoarseness, seizures, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, hives, rash, abnormal thoughts, hallucinating (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist), or erection that lasts for several hours or longer.
Atomoxetine belongs to the group of medications called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors which works by raising norepinephrine levels, a chemical required for controlling behaviour.
Avoid taking Atomoxetine with MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitors, medicines used to treat depression) as it might cause serious or life-threatening side effects. Let the doctor know if you have taken MAOI such as phenelzine sulfate or tranylcypromine sulfate in the past 14 days.
No, you should not give Atomoxetine to a 3-year-old child as it is not recommended for children below 6 years because studies have not been done in this age group.
Atomoxetine should be taken as the doctor has prescribed it based on your health condition. Consult the doctor if you have any concerns.
The side effects of Atomoxetine include headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, sleepiness, increased heart rate, and high blood pressure. Consult the doctor if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
