Atomoxetine Hydrochloride

Generic Details

Generic Name

Atomoxetine Hydrochloride

Other Names

  • Strattera

Drug Class

  • Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor

Chemical Formula

C17H21NO·HCl

Molecular Weight

291.82 g/mol

Mechanism of Action

  • Inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine

Indications

  • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Common Dosage Forms

  • Capsule

Typical Dosage

  • Initially 40 mg once daily, may increase up to 100 mg/day

Pediatric Dosage

  • Age 6-12 years: Start with 0.5 mg/kg daily, may increase up to 1.2 mg/kg/day

Geriatric Dosage

  • Not established

Side Effects

  • Nausea
  • Insomnia
  • Decreased appetite
  • Dry mouth

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to atomoxetine
  • Narrow-angle glaucoma

Pregnancy Category

  • C - Risk cannot be ruled out

Lactation Safety

  • Use caution or avoid

Drug Interactions

  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Overdose Symptoms

  • Agitation
  • tachycardia
  • hypertension
  • seizures

Antidote for Overdose

  • No specific antidote, supportive care

Storage Conditions

  • Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container

Pharmacokinetics

  • Absorption: Rapidly absorbed after oral administration
  • Distribution: Widely distributed in the body
  • Metabolism: Primarily metabolized by the CYP2D6 enzyme
  • Excretion: Mainly excreted in the urine

Precautions

  • History of suicidal ideation
  • Cardiovascular disease

Warnings

  • Black box warning for increased risk of suicidal ideation in children and adolescents

Others

  • Atomoxetine may take several weeks to show full effect in the treatment of ADHD.