Atomoxetine hydrochloride

Atomoxetine, sold under the brand name Strattera among others, is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It may be used alone or along with stimulants. Use is only recommended in those who are at least six years old. It is taken by mouth. Common side effects include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, feeling tired, and dizziness. Serious side effects may include angioedema, liver problems, stroke, psychosis, heart problems, suicide, and aggression. Safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding is not clear. Atomoxetine is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and is believed to work by increasing norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. Atomoxetine was approved for medical use in the United States in 2002. A month's supply in the United Kingdom costs the NHS about £53 as of 2019. In the United States, the wholesale cost of this amount is about 77 USD. In 2016, it was the 245th most prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 2 million prescriptions. Atomoxetine is approved for use in children, adolescents, and adults. However, its efficacy has not been studied in children under six years old. Its primary advantage over the standard stimulant treatments for ADHD is that it has little known abuse potential. While it has been shown to significantly reduce inattentive and hyperactive symptoms, the responses were lower than the response to stimulants. Additionally, 40% of participants who were treated with atomoxetine experienced residual ADHD symptoms. The initial therapeutic effects of atomoxetine usually take 2–4 weeks to become apparent. A further 2–4 weeks may be required for the full therapeutic effects to be seen. Its efficacy may be less than that of stimulant medications. Unlike α2 adrenoceptor agonists such as guanfacine and clonidine, atomoxetine's use can be abruptly stopped without significant discontinuation effects being seen. There is some evidence that it may be used in combination with stimulants. The maximum recommended total daily dose in children and adolescents over 70 kg and adults is 100 mg. Doctors may prescribe non-stimulants including atomoxetine when a person has bothersome side effects from stimulants; when a stimulant was not effective; or in combination with a stimulant to increase effectiveness.