Atomoxetine

(AT oh mox e teen)

U.S. Brand Names

Strattera®

Canadian Brand Names

Strattera®

Mexican Brand Names

Strattera

Dosage Forms

• This medicine is available as a capsule.

Pharmacologic Category

Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor, Selective

What key warnings should I know about before giving this medicine to my child?

Watch your child closely for a desire to harm him/herself or for a change in behavior. 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.

Please read the medication guide given to your child.

Is it safe for my child to take this medicine?

• Not if your child has an allergy to atomoxetine or any other part of this medicine.

• Be sure to let healthcare provider know if your child has any allergies or reactions to medicine, food preservatives, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected your child. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• Not if your child has glaucoma.

Why does my child need this medicine?

• This medicine is used to treat attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity. It may take 8 weeks to see the full effect.

How does this medicine work?

• Atomoxetine has a stabilizing effect in children with attention deficit disorder.

How is this medicine given?

• Give this medicine at a similar time of day.

• Give this medicine early in the day to avoid sleep problems.

• Give this medicine with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Have your child swallow whole. Encourage your child not to chew, break, or crush.

How long does this medicine take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better several weeks after starting this medicine.

What do I do if my child misses a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Give a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your child's regular schedule.

• Do not give a double dose or extra doses.

What safety measures should I take while my child is using this medicine?

• Your child may have certain heart tests before starting this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

• If your child has a fast heartbeat, talk with healthcare provider.

• If your child has heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If your child has high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider.

• If your child has liver disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If your child has a mental health disorder, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check your child's medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• If your child is taking this medicine and has high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider before giving 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.

• Limit your child's caffeine and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.

• If your child has thoughts of harming him/herself, talk with healthcare provider.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling dizzy. Rising slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position is recommended. Children should be extra careful climbing stairs.

• Headache.

• Belly pain.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals and frequent mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.

• Inability to sleep.

• Dry mouth.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

• Not hungry.

• Nasal congestion.

• Liver damage can rarely occur.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• For the occurrence of side effects.

• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Monitor your child's growth carefully.

• Healthcare provider will be seeing your child frequently during the start of this medicine and when dose is changed.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

• If any of this information causes you to be concerned, any of the common side effects occur, or if your child's symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine.

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• If your child shows signs of a life-threatening reaction, call healthcare provider immediately. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behavior.

• If your child shows signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

• If your child has thoughts of harming him/herself, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, or anxiety.

• If your child has a fast heartbeat.

• If your child has unusual or violent behavior.

• If your child has severe belly pain.

• If your child has flu-like symptoms.

• If your child has a severe headache.

• If your child has significant weight loss.

• If your child has dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• If your child is unable to pass urine.

• If your child is not hungry.

• If your child has itching.

• If your child develops a rash.

• No improvement in condition or if you believe your child's condition is worse.

How should I store and/or dispose of this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from heat.

• Protect from light.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If your child has a life-threatening allergy, he/she should wear an allergy identification bracelet at all times.

• This medicine is available by prescription only. If there are refills, contact your pharmacy. If no refills remain, you may need to contact your child's healthcare provider.

• This medicine should be thrown out when your child no longer needs it or if the medicine becomes outdated.

• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Many medications interact with other medications. Keep a list of all your child's medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to your child's 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.

• Talk with your child's healthcare provider before giving him/her any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

• Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow directions given by healthcare provider.



Created: 2006-10-16 10:10:48.0

Modified: 2008-04-30 11:11:17.0

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