Atomoxetine has been linked to suicidal thoughts in children. Atomoxetine has also been linked to liver injury and has been associated with heart-related problems including sudden death syndrome, stoke, heart disease and high blood pressure. One of the most common side effects associated with atomoxetine is drowsiness.5 Other side effects include:
• You may have certain heart tests before starting this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have a fast heartbeat, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• If you have mental illness, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• If you are taking this medicine and have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider before using over-the-counter products that may increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain natural products or supplements.
• Avoid caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
• High blood pressure.
• Headache.
• Belly pain.
• Inability to sleep.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Not hungry.
• Nasal congestion.
• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
• Change in sexual ability or desire. This is usually reversible.
• Liver damage can rarely occur.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
• Chest pain or pressure, fast heartbeat, or passing out.
• Severe behavioral problems.
• Flu-like symptoms.
• Severe belly pain.
• Severe headache.
• Severe itching.
• Significant weight loss.
• Not able to eat.
• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• Unable to pass urine.
• Very nervous and excitable.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
Atomoxetine is a non-stimulant drug that inhibits the reuptake of norepinephine thereby increasing its availability to the brain. Atomoxetine is approved for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents and adults. Atomoxetine has a lower abuse potential than stimulants and is easier to prescribe.
(AT oh mox e teen)
• Children and Teenagers: Watch your child closely for a desire to harm him/herself. Ask your child to talk with you if he/she is planning to harm him/herself. Take your child to the nearest emergency room if he/she wants to harm him/herself. Talk with healthcare provider.
• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• Please read the medication guide.
• If you have an allergy to atomoxetine or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• If you have glaucoma.
• If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started. Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.
• If you are breast-feeding.
• Atomoxetine has a stabilizing effect in children and adults with attention deficit disorder.
• Take this medicine at a similar time of day.
• Take this medicine early in the day to avoid sleep problems.
• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.
• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from heat.
• Protect from light.
• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Created: 2006-10-13 10:48:30.0
Modified: 2010-03-25 09:02:50.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• This medicine is used to treat attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. It may take 8 weeks to see the full effect.
