Explanation

Atomoxetine hydrochloride (also called Strattera) is a type of medicine called a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor. It is used to treat attention-deficit and hyperactivity disorder ADHD.

What does atomoxetine hydrochloride do?

Atomoxetine hydrochloride increases how much noradrenaline is in your brain. Noradrenaline is a chemical that is made naturally and it increases attention and decreases hyperactivity when you have ADHD.

What does it look like?

Atomoxetine hydrochloride comes as hard capsules that are different colours depending on the dose. They can either be white, gold and white, blue, blue and white, blue and gold or brown and white.

When do I have to take it?

You should always take atomoxetine hydrochloride exactly when and how your doctor has told you to. Usually, you will take atomoxetine hydrochloride every day either once in the morning or both in the morning and in the afternoon. You can take atomoxetine hydrochloride with or without food.

But what if I don't feel like taking it?

It is important that you take atomoxetine hydrochloride every day for as long as your doctor has told you to. If you don't want to take atomoxetine hydrochloride for any reason you must make sure you talk to your doctor about it first but don't stop taking it unless he or she says it is okay to do so.

What should I do if I forget to take it?

If you miss a dose, you should take it as soon as you remember if it's not too late. If it is close to the time you would normally take your next dose you should forget your missed dose and take your next one as planned. Make sure you don't take twice as much to make up for your missed dose - remember the three D's: Don't Double Dose!

What if I take too much?

If you take more atomoxetine hydrochloride than you should tell your doctor immediately or go to a hospital and tell the doctors or nurses there how many capsules you have taken. You should also take your packet with you so they can see what you have taken.

If you do take too much, the things you might notice are feeling sleepy, feeling agitated, feeling hyperactive, acting strange, feeling sick, being sick or having runny poo (diarrhoea).

How much do I take?

Your doctor will tell you what dose of atomoxetine hydrochloride you should take. This will depend on your age and on how much you weigh. He or she will normally start you on a low dose and increase it according to how well the medicine is working for you. You should take exactly how much atomoxetine hydrochloride your doctor tells you to. This will usually be only one capsule a day or one capsule in the morning and one in the afternoon.

It is very important that you don't open the capsules as the powder inside may be harmful. If you get the powder in your eyes you must wash them out immediately and tell your doctor about it. Also, wash your hands immediately if you get any of the medicine inside the capsule on your hands.

Are there any serious side effects from taking atomoxetine hydrochloride?

Atomoxetine hydrochloride can cause side effects, and even though not everybody gets them you should look out for them because they could be very serious.

It is very unlikely but atomoxetine hydrochloride can cause a serious allergic reaction. You should stop taking atomoxetine hydrochloride straight away and call your doctor or hospital immediately if you have any of the following:

swelling in your face or throat

trouble breathing

small raised, itchy patches on your skin (hives).

You should also stop taking atomoxetine hydrochloride and call your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

dark urine

yellowing of your skin or eyes

stomach pain which is sore when you press on the right side just below your ribs

feeling sick (nausea)

feeling tired

itching

flu-like symptoms like aches, runny nose or headaches.

You may also notice side effects that change the way you feel or think. Tell your doctor if you have thoughts of hurting yourself or are feeling more angry than usual.

What are the most common side effects I might get?

You may not notice any side effects, but it is important that you look out for them and tell your doctor if you notice anything strange. The things you might notice, which are likely to go away are:

headache

decreased appetite (not feeling hungry)

being sick (vomiting)

feeling sick (nausea)

pain in your stomach

feeling sleepy.

Other common side effects may be:

getting annoyed easily and having quick changes in your mood

having trouble sleeping

feeling dizzy

having swollen, red and itchy Skin

a rash

feeling tired

losing weight

Other side effects which are very unlikely are:

waking up early

fainting or feeling faint

shaking without meaning to, especially in your arms and legs

large pupils (the dark centre of the eye)

sweating more than usual

If any of these side effects get serious or continue for more than a few days you should tell your doctor as soon as you can.

Is it safe for me to be taking atomoxetine hydrochloride?

Before you start taking atomoxetine hydrochloride you should tell your doctor about any medical problems you know you have or have had in the past, including any allergies. It's especially important that you tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the things in the list below:

an eye disease called narrow-angle glaucoma

structural heart problems

high blood pressure

any problems with your heart or blood vessels

jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes ) or liver injury

thoughts of hurting yourself

seeing or feeling things that are strange or are not really there

seizures

Is it okay for me to take atomoxetine hydrochloride if I'm already taking other medicines?

Let your doctor know if you're taking, or have recently taken, any other medicines, even herbal medicines or ones you got from the pharmacy without a prescription. It may not be safe for you to take atomoxetine hydrochloride with some medicines so it is especially important for you to tell your doctor if you are taking any medicines on the list below:

medicines used to treat depression

salbutamol

antipsychotic medicines

anti-arrhythmic medicines

medicines for cancer

medicines to treat infections including malaria

cisapride

diuretics

What if I have any more questions?

If you have any other questions, you can ask your doctor, or chat to other people about atomoxetine hydrochloride and ADHD in the Medikidz forums and virtual world, Mediland.