Drug Class: Drug Class: Antidepressant, SNRI

Table of Contents

Overview

Strattera (Atomoxetine) is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). It may also help to increase the ability to stay focused, pay attention, concentrate, and stop fidgeting. This medication is approved for use in children, adolescents, and adults.

It is available in a capsule and is taken orally.

This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your health care provider.

It works by helping change certain chemicals in the brain, which professionals refer to as “neurotransmitters.” It is not yet well-understood why changing these neurochemicals results in symptom relief for the conditions this drug is commonly prescribed for.

How to Take It

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Read the patient leaflet that comes with this medicine. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. This medicine is usually taken either as a single dose in the morning or divided into two doses in the morning and late afternoon or early evening; or as directed by your doctor.

Side Effects

Side effects that may occur while taking this medicine include:

  • decrease in sexual ability/desire
  • vomiting
  • high blood pressure
  • constipation
  • fatigue
  • loss of appetite
  • stomach upset / nausea
  • dizziness
  • sleep problems
  • FOR WOMEN: menstrual cramps or missed/irregular periods

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

  • difficulty urinating
  • numbness/tingling
  • irregular or unusually fast heartbeat
  • fainting
  • liver damage, including: persistent nausea/vomiting/loss of appetite, dark urine, abdominal / stomach pain, yellowing skin or eyes.

Warnings & Precautions

  • Do not increase your dose of this medicine without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel that the medicine is not working.
  • This medicine may cause dizziness or lightheadedness and fainting. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine.
  • Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
  • This medicine may affect growth in children. Your child’s growth should be checked regularly while using this medicine especially if they experience side effects of the drug including loss of appetite or weight loss.
  • For an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. For non emergencies, contact your local or regional poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.

Drug Interactions

Before taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Check the labels on all of your medicine (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) because they may ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask you pharmacist about the safe use of those products.

Dosage & Missed Dose

Strattera is a capsule taken by mouth, usually one or two times / day either with or without food. It’s important to take it at about the same time every day. Take Strattera whole.

Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses or take extra medicine to make up for the missed dose.

Storage

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (preferably not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed.

Pregnancy/Nursing

If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is NOT known if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. It is recommended that you DO NOT breast-feed while taking this medicine unless your doctor or pediatrician has told you to.

More Information

For more information, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or health care provider, or you can visit this website, https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a603013.html for additional information from the manufacturer of this drug.