Atomoxetine

What Is Atomoxetine Used For?
Many people wonder, "What is atomoxetine used for?" Atomoxetine is used for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It can be used in adults and children as young as six years of age. The medicine has not been adequately studied in children younger than six years of age. There are currently no universally accepted off-label uses for atomoxetine.

Atomoxetine hydrochloride (Strattera®) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, teenagers, and adults.

ADHD is a condition involving difficulty paying attention, sitting still, and controlling behavior. In a person with ADHD, these problems are worse than would be expected for a typical child of the same age. Usually, the ADHD symptoms must be present before the age of seven to qualify as ADHD. The symptoms must also affect the person's school, work, or social life in a negative way to qualify as ADHD (see ADHD and School and Relationships and ADHD for more information).

Although ADHD is generally thought of as a problem in children, teenagers and adults can also have ADHD. Diagnosing ADHD in adults is different from diagnosing ADHD in children.

Large clinical trials have shown atomoxetine to help children, teenagers, and adults who have ADHD. Atomoxetine can improve the behavior of children with ADHD, as well as help them to sit still and pay attention in the classroom. The medicine is also effective at treating adult ADHD symptoms (see Adult ADHD). Atomoxetine is especially useful for treating ADHD in people with Tourette syndrome or anxiety disorders. Studies have shown that, unlike most ADHD medications, atomoxetine typically does not make these conditions worse.

Any behavioral change involves a well-balanced ADHD treatment plan, including social, educational, and mental therapy (see Behavior Therapy for ADHD). If lifestyle changes alone are not effective at changing ADHD behavior, ADHD medications (such as atomoxetine) may be necessary.

How Atomoxetine Works
It is not known exactly how atomoxetine produces a calming effect. It is known, however, that the medicine affects a chemical in the brain called norepinephrine. Atomoxetine is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, which means that it increases the level of norepinephrine that can be used by brain cells.

Unlike other ADHD medications, atomoxetine is not a stimulant and is not likely to be abused. Also, because it is not a controlled substance, the rules for prescribing and dispensing atomoxetine are much less strict. Unlike prescriptions for stimulants, atomoxetine prescriptions can be faxed or phoned to your pharmacy and can be refilled without getting a new prescription each time (if your healthcare provider approves).

Is Atomoxetine Used in Young Children?
Atomoxetine has not been adequately studied in children younger than six years of age. Talk with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using atomoxetine to treat ADHD in children less than six years old.

Is Atomoxetine Used for Off-Label Purposes?
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend atomoxetine for treating something other than the condition(s) discussed above. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, there are no universally accepted off-label uses for atomoxetine.

Atomoxetine Dosing
The starting atomoxetine dosage for adults -- as well as children or teens weighing more than 154 pounds is 40 mg once daily or 20 mg twice daily. Children and teenagers weighing less than 154 pounds typically start with 0.25 mg of atomoxetine per pound of weight, rounded to the nearest available strength. Among the factors that can affect atomoxetine dosing are your age, other medical conditions you may have, and other medications you may be currently taking.

Atomoxetine: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking atomoxetine hydrochloride if you have:

* Heart problems of any kind, including heart disease, congestive heart failure, certain irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), or a recent history of a heart attack
* A history of a stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA or "mini-stroke"), or other bleeding in the brain (such as a subarachnoid hemorrhage)
* High blood pressure (hypertension)
* Low blood pressure (hypotension)
* Raynaud's phenomenon
* Bladder problems
* Bipolar disorder (manic depression)
* Previous suicide attempts or a family history of suicides
* Glaucoma (a condition of the eye)
* Liver problems, including liver failure or cirrhosis
* Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.

Also let your healthcare provider know if you:
* Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
* Are breastfeeding.

It's important to also tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you may be taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Note : This product information is intended only for residents of the India. Taj Pharmaceuticals Limited, medicines help to treat and prevent a range of conditions—from the most common to the most challenging—for people around the world.