Atomoxetine (Strattera) for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Examples
Generic Name Brand Name atomoxetine Strattera How It Works
Atomoxetine (Strattera) strengthens the chemical signals between brain cells and also increases certain brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, to improve concentration. It is not a stimulant.
Why It Is Used
Atomoxetine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, teens, and adults.
It is sometimes recommended instead of stimulant medications, such as amphetamine (examples include Dexedrine or Adderall XR) and methylphenidate (examples include Ritalin or Concerta) for people who have bothersome side effects from those medications.
For example, about 10% to 35% of people with ADHD also have tics, such as spasms of the muscles of the face (facial tic), clearing the throat, sniffing, and excessive blinking. Stimulant medications for ADHD may make tics worse. Recent research found that atomoxetine did not make tics worse.1
How Well It Works
Several studies have shown atomoxetine to effectively control the symptoms of ADHD in children and adults.2
Atomoxetine does not start working as quickly as stimulant medications. Reports suggest that full effects are often not seen until the person has been taking atomoxetine regularly for at least 3 or 4 weeks.
Side Effects
Possible side effects include:
- Decreased appetite.
- Upset stomach.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Dizziness.
- Tiredness.
- Mood swings.
Growth is sometimes slowed in children taking atomoxetine, but it is not known if this delay is permanent.
Health Canada and FDA Advisories. Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have issued advisories on Strattera. They suggest that parents, families, and other caregivers closely watch for warning signs of suicide in all people who take this medicine.3, 4 Health Canada and the FDA do not recommend that people stop using this medicine, but to watch for warning signs of suicide in those using it.
It is important for parents to be honest with their child about the possible risks and benefits of the medicine. Talk to your child about whether he or she is having any suicidal thoughts. Tell your child to come to you if he or she has suicidal thoughts in the future.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Atomoxetine can be taken once or twice a day.
Atomoxetine may be an alternative for those people who have bothersome side effects from stimulants, such as nervousness, irritability, or tics.
Atomoxetine is more convenient than stimulant medications because you can obtain prescription refills over the phone.
Unlike stimulant medications, atomoxetine does not have the potential for abuse.
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| Author: | Carrie Henley Sabra L. Katz-Wise | Last Updated: August 31, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Mina Dulcan, MD - Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
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| Topic Contents | |
| Examples | |
| How It Works | |
| Why It Is Used | |
| How Well It Works | |
| Side Effects | |
| What To Think About | |
| References | |