Atomoxetine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Strattera

Before Using This Medicine

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For atomoxetine, the following should be considered:

Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to atomoxetine. Also tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy - Studies with atomoxetine have not been done in pregnant women. Some unwanted effects have been reported in animal studies, but the risk to human babies is not clear. Before taking this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding - It is not known whether atomoxetine passes into human breast milk. This medicine does pass into the milk of rats. If you want to breast feed be sure you have discussed the risks and benefits of the medicine with your doctor.

Children - Safety and effectiveness has not been established in pediatric patients less than 6 years of age

Older adults - Atomoxetine has not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it is not known whether it causes different side effects or problems in the elderly than it does in younger adults.

Other medicines - Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking atomoxetine, it is especially important that your doctor and pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following:

• Albuterol (e.g., Ventolin) - May increase your heart rate and your blood pressure

• CYP2D6 inhibitors such as
• Fluoxetine (e.g., Prozac) or
• Paroxetine (e.g., Paxil) or
• Quinidine (e.g., Quinadex) - Your doctor may want to reduce the amount of atomoxetine when you take it any of these medicines.

• Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor activity (isocarboxazid [e.g., Marplan], phenelzine [e.g., Nardil], procarbazine [e.g., Matulane], selegiline [e.g., Eldepryl], tranylcypromine [e.g., Parnate]) - You should not take any of these medicines while you are taking atomoxetine or for two weeks after you stop taking atomoxetine; serious side effects could occur

• Vasopressor agents (used to treat low blood pressure) - Use with atomoxetine may increase your blood pressure.

Other medical problems - The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of atomoxetine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood vessel problems or
• Heart disease or
• Hypertension (high blood pressure) or
• Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) - Atomoxetine may make these conditions worse.

• Glaucoma, narrow angle (eye disease) - Atomoxetine may make this condition worse.

• Liver disease - The dose of atomoxetine may need to be adjusted