Brand Name

Strattera {Lilly}

Generic Name

atomoxetine, pronounced AT oh mox e teen

 

What is Strattera?

Strattera is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD, in adults and children age six and older. Strattera works by affecting the chemicals in your brain that contribute to hyperactivity and impulse control.

Strattera may also be used for reasons not stated in this medication guide.

 

Key Facts About Strattera

You should not take Strattera if you are currently taking thioridazine (Mellaril), or an MAO inhibitor like furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You could suffer from a dangerous drug interaction if you take any of the above medications along with Strattera. You should wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before starting treatment with Strattera.

Strattera can cause sudden death in children and adolescents with serious heart problems or congenital heart defects. Tell your doctor if you or your child has any type of heart problem before he or she begins taking Strattera.

Strattera may slow a child’s growth. Talk to your doctor if your child is taking Strattera and is not growing as expected.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Strattera, as it may increase certain side effects of this medication.

Be aware that Strattera may impair your reactions or thinking. You should be careful when driving or doing anything which requires you to be alert, especially when you first start taking Strattera.

You should be aware of any mood or behavior changes while you are taking Strattera. If you have suicidal thoughts, depression, or thoughts of hurting yourself you should tell your doctor immediately.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Strattera is in FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known that if Strattera may cause problems in your newborn. Consult with your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Strattera. You should not breastfeed while taking Strattera, as we do not know if Strattera can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.

 

Before You Take Strattera

If you are allergic to atomoxetineyou should not take Strattera.

You should not take Strattera if you are currently taking thioridazine (Mellaril), or an MAO inhibitor like furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). You could suffer from a dangerous drug interaction if you take any of the above medications along with Strattera. You should wait at least 14 days after stopping an MAO inhibitor before starting treatment with Strattera.

If you have glaucoma or pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland) you should not take Strattera.

Let your doctor know if you have a congenital heart defect, heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, coronary artery disease, a history of stroke or blood clots, or high or low blood pressure. These conditions may be a reason you should not take Strattera.

You should tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack before taking Strattera, or if anyone in your family has died suddenly from a heart condition.

If you have liver disease, a family or personal history of mental illness such as bipolar disorder or depression, or if you have problems urinating you should tell your doctor before taking Strattera.

Strattera is not meant to be a long-term use drug to treat ADHD. Your doctor may recommend another medication for you to take long-term to treat your condition.

Treatment with Strattera is not to be used for patients under age six (6).

 

Strattera Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• albuterol/salbutamol (Proventil, Ventolin)
• amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone)
• antidepressants like such as citalopram (Celexa), clomipramine (Anafranil), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft)
• antihistamines or sleep medications like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton)
• bupropion (Wellbutrin or Zyban)
• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• cimetidine (Tagamet)
• doxorubicin (Adriamycin)
• methadone (Dolophine or Methadose)
• metoclopramide (Reglan)
• quinidine (Quin-G)
• ranitidine (Zantac)
• ritonavir (Norvir or Kaletra)
• terbinafine (Lamisil)

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Strattera. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

 

Directions for Taking Strattera

You should take Strattera exactly as directed by your doctor. It is important that you do not take Strattera in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Strattera may be taken with or without food.

You should take Strattera with a full glass of water.

Strattera is typically taken once a day, but your doctor may instruct you to take it twice a day, once in the morning and once in the late afternoon.

You should not use a capsule that has been opened or broken. The medicine from inside the Strattera capsule can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you how to safely handle and dispose of a broken or opened capsule.

Strattera needs to be stored at room temperature, and away from light, moisture and heat. Keep your bottle tightly closed when you are not using it.

If you miss a dose of Strattera you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose do not take the missed dose in addition to your regular dose.

 

Strattera Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Strattera and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• allergic reactions such as breathing difficulties, hives, or swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• chest pain
• confusion and unusual behavior or hallucinations (seeing things that are not there)
• heart rate that is fast, pounding or uneven
• high blood pressure (dangerously high) with signs including a severe headache, ear ringing, chest pain and numbness
• feeling faint
• nausea and pain in your upper stomach, along with itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools and jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes)
• shortness of breath
• tingling feeling that may be alongside a numb or burning feeling
• urinating less than normal or not at all

Less serious side effects of Strattera may include:

• constipation
• cough
• dizziness
• drowsy feeling
• dry mouth
• impotence or trouble having an orgasm
• insomnia
• irritability
• menstrual cramping that has increased
• mild skin rash and itching

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Strattera. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

 

Strattera Description and Dosing

Strattera is available in capsule form in the following doses:

10 mg opaque white imprinted with LILLY 3227

18 mg gold and opaque white imprinted with LILLY 3238

25 mg opaque blue and opaque white imprinted with LILLY 3228

40 mg opaque blue imprinted with LILLY 3229

60 mg opaque blue and gold imprinted with LILLY 3239

80 mg opaque brown and opaque white imprinted with LILLY 3250

100 mg opaque brown imprinted with LILLY 3251

You should consult your doctor for specific dosing pertaining to you. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Strattera you should seek emergency help immediately.

 

Ingredients in Strattera

Strattera is comprised of the main ingredient atomoxetine HCl. Other ingredients include pregelatinized starch and dimethicone. The capsule shells contain gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate and one or more of the following: FD&C Blue No. 2, synthetic yellow iron oxide, titanium dioxide or red iron oxide. The capsules are imprinted with edible black ink.

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