atomoxetine

What is the most important information I should know about atomoxetine?

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking atomoxetine. Stay alert to changes in your mood or symptoms. Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

What is atomoxetine?

Atomoxetine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Atomoxetine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking atomoxetine?

Do not use atomoxetine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.

• severe heart or blood vessel problems;
• narrow-angle glaucoma; or
• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).

• heart problems or a congenital heart defect;
• high blood pressure; or
• a family history of heart disease or sudden death.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• depression, mental illness, bipolar disorder, psychosis;
• suicidal thoughts or actions;
• low blood pressure; or
• liver disease.

Some people have thoughts about suicide while taking atomoxetine. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of atomoxetine on the baby.

How should I take atomoxetine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Atomoxetine is usually taken once daily in the morning, or two times per day in the morning and late afternoon. Follow your doctor's instructions.

You may take atomoxetine with or without food.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Your blood, heart rate, blood pressure, height and weight may also need to be checked often.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, dizziness, stomach problems, tremors, or unusual behavior.

What should I avoid while taking atomoxetine?

Avoid using or handling an open or broken capsule. If the powder from inside the capsule gets in your eyes, rinse them with water right away and call your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of atomoxetine?

Report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor, such as: anxiety, panic attacks, trouble sleeping, or if you feel impulsive, irritable, agitated, hostile, aggressive, restless, hyperactive (mentally or physically), depressed, or have thoughts about suicide or hurting yourself.

Atomoxetine can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using this medicine.

• signs of heart problems --chest pain, trouble breathing, feeling like you might pass out;
• signs of psychosis --hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real), new behavior problems, aggression, hostility, paranoia;
• liver problems --stomach pain (upper right side), itching, flu-like symptoms, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• painful or difficult urination; or
• erection is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours (this is a rare side effect).

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation;
• dry mouth, loss of appetite;
• mood changes, feeling tired;
• dizziness;
• urination problems; or
• impotence, trouble having an erection.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect atomoxetine?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• an antidepressant;
• asthma medication;
• blood pressure medicine; or
• a cold or allergy medicine that contains a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect atomoxetine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about atomoxetine.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 14.01. Revision date: 4/28/2020.