ATOMOXETINE

Children and teenagers may experience worsening of their condition, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts.  Consult your doctor about the risks and benefits of this medication.  Be watchful of these symptoms while taking this drug and report them to your doctor right away.

Common side effects include: Stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, constipation, tiredness, loss of appetite/weight loss, dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, trouble sleeping, or decrease in sexual ability/desire, menstrual cramps or missed/irregular periods may also occur.

Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high as this drug may increase your blood pressure

Serious side effects include: difficulty urinating, unusually fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, numbness/tinglin, liver disease. Get medical help right away if you have any symptoms of liver damage, including: dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting/loss of appetite, stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, heart attack or stroke. Get medical help right away if you experience any of the following: chest/jaw/left arm pain, shortness of breath, unusual sweating, weakness on one side of the body, confusion, slurred speech, sudden vision changes.

Although rare, males (including young boys and teens) may have a painful or prolonged erection lasting 4 or more hours while using this medication. Consult your doctor immediately when you feel these symptoms.

Contact your doctor if you experience allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling of the face/throat, trouble breathing) or symptoms mentioned above.

Precautions

Inform your doctor or pharmacist your allergies, medical history, especially of: a certain adrenal problem (pheochromocytoma), bladder or prostate problems, glaucoma, heart problems (such as irregular heartbeat, heart failure, previous heart attack, problems with heart structure), family history of heart problems (such as sudden cardiac death, irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, liver disease, personal/family history of mental/mood disorders (such as bipolar disorder, depression, psychosis, suicidal thoughts), stroke.

Avoid activities that require alertness as this drug can make you dizzy.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women must consult their doctor first before using this medication.

Inform your doctors or dentist of the medications you’re taking before having surgery or dental procedures.

This drug may affect a child’s growth rate, weight, and final adult height if taken for a long time. Your doctor may suggest means on how to reduce this effect.

Interactions

Taking this drug with MAO inhibitors may cause a serious (possibly fatal) drug interaction. Avoid taking MAO inhibitors (isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine) during treatment with this medication. Most MAO inhibitors should also not be taken for two weeks before and after treatment with this medication. Ask your doctor when to start or stop taking this medication.

Overdose

Get emergency medical help when overdose is suspected.

Missed Dose: As soon as you remember, take a regular dose or if the time of the next does is near, wait for it before taking another dose and resume your usual schedule.  Do not increase the dose to compensate for the missed dose.

Storage: Store medication in room temperature.  Do not expose to light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from pets and children.  Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour into a drain.