Atomoxetine - Brand Name: Strattera
Why is this medication prescribed?
Atomoxetine is used to increase the ability to pay attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in children and adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (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.
How should this medicine be used?
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. To help you remember to take atomoxetine, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take atomoxetine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of atomoxetine and increase your dose after 3 days.
Atomoxetine controls ADHD but does not cure it. Do not stop taking atomoxetine without talking to your doctor.
Before taking atomoxetine, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient and read it carefully.
Other uses for this medicine
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking atomoxetine,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to atomoxetine or any other
medications.
- do not take atomoxetine if you are taking monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, including
phenelzine (Nardil) and tranylcypromine (Parnate), or have stopped taking them within the
past 2 weeks.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications,
vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention
any of the following:
- albuterol syrup or tablets (Proventil, Ventolin),
- amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone),
- bupropion (Wellbutrin), celecoxib (Celebrex),
- chlorpromazine (Thorazine),
- cimetidine (Tagamet),
- clomipramine (Anafranil),
- doxorubicin (Adriamycin),
- fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem),
- metaproterenol syrup or tablets (Metaprel),
- metoclopramide (Reglan),
- methadone (Dolophine),
- paroxetine (Paxil),
- quinidine (Cardioquin, Quinaglute, Quinidex),
- ranitidine (Zantac),
- ritonavir (Norvir),
- sertraline (Zoloft),
- and terbinafine (Lamisil).
Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully
for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had glaucoma, high blood pressure, rapid heart
beat, a stroke, a mini-stroke, or heart or liver disease.
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If
you become pregnant while taking atomoxetine, call your doctor.
- 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.
- remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
- 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.
- 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.
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