Strattera (Atomoxetine) Information
Strattera (Atomoxetine) is a popular medicine that is regularly prescribed to patients who are suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity. This medicine’s ingredients allow it to effectively interact with some of the brain’s nerves and chemicals that are known to contribute to impulse and hyperactivity control.
Strattera (Atomoxetine) Indications
Strattera (Atomoxetine) is a drug that is generally prescribed in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity. However, this medicine could also serve some other purposes that have not been mentioned in this guide. Ask your personal physician for more information.
Strattera (Atomoxetine) Warnings
You should not start a treatment with this medicine if you are suffering from glaucoma or if you have known allergic reactions to any of the medicine’s components. Patients who are suffering from heart disorders are not recommended to start taking Strattera (Atomoxetine), as some adolescents and children who were suffering from various heart medical conditions have died because of their treatment with this medicine.
During your treatment with Strattera (Atomoxetine) you might experience suicidal behavior or thoughts. If you develop unusual behavior or depression you should alert your personal physician as soon as possible. A treatment with this medicine is known to trigger several side effects that affect your reactions and your thinking. Therefore, while you are taking Strattera (Atomoxetine) you should avoid performing any activity that requires physical or mental alertness and awareness (such as driving).
Before you start taking Strattera (Atomoxetine) you should inform your personal health care provider if you have:
- congenital heart disease / defect;
- heart rhythm disease, or if you have recently had a heart attack;
- a history of blood clots, stroke;
- coronary artery disorder;
- abnormally low or high blood pressure;
- liver disorder;
- urinating problems;
- history of psychotic disorder, mental illness, depression, bipolar illness, or suicidal attempt.
If any of these apply to you, you might not be allowed to start taking this medicine or you should be prescribed a lower dose of Strattera (Atomoxetine). Your personal health care provider should carefully monitor your treatment with this product, and you should undergo special tests on a regular basis.
Strattera (Atomoxetine) is a category C FDA pregnancy medicine. Therefore, a treatment with this drug during pregnancy could harm a growing fetus. If you are pregnant, or if you think that you might become pregnant during your treatment with this medicine you should ask your personal health care provider if you may start using this product. It has not been determined if this drug’s main components are able to pass into the patient’s breast milk or not. Nursing mothers should consult with their doctor before starting a treatment with this medicine.
A long-term treatment with Strattera (Atomoxetine) is known to sometimes slow a child's normal growth. If your child is following a treatment with this product and he or she is not gaining weight or growing as normally, you should consult a pediatrician as soon as possible. This medicine is not recommended in the case of children under the age of 6.
Strattera (Atomoxetine) Intake Guidelines
Ask your personal health care provider to tell you exactly how you should use this medicine. Do not deviate from any of your physician’s instructions. If you did not understand some of them, you should ask a pharmacist or a nurse to explain them to you. If you want to know more about Strattera (Atomoxetine), you should simply read the medicine’s label. Each dose of this medicine should be accompanied by a full glass of liquid.
You must not take in a capsule that has been broken or opened. If the content of a capsule gets into direct contact with your eyes you should wash them with plenty of clean water. Strattera (Atomoxetine) should be stored at the average room temperature, away from heat and moisture. Do not keep this medicine at the reach of pets and / or children.
Strattera (Atomoxetine) Dosage
Ask your personal physician to tell you the proper dose of Strattera (Atomoxetine) that you should take in. The average dosage of this medicine consists of one dose of Strattera (Atomoxetine) that should be taken in either in the late afternoon or in the morning.
Strattera (Atomoxetine) Overdose
If you suspect that you might experience an overdose with this drug you should seek immediate medical attention. An overdose with Strattera (Atomoxetine) could trigger any of the following symptoms agitation, drowsiness, unusual behavior, hyperactivity, blurred vision, stomach problems, fast heartbeat and dry mouth.
Strattera (Atomoxetine) Missed Dose
If you miss one of you doses of Strattera (Atomoxetine), you should take it as soon as you can. However, if it is time for another, dose, you should skip the one that you have missed and continue your regular treatment. Do not double dose without your physician’s consent.
Strattera (Atomoxetine) Side Effects
Stop your treatment with Strattera (Atomoxetine) and alert your doctor if you develop:
- shortness of breath, chest pain, uneven or fast heartbeats;
- fainting, light-headedness;
- unusual behavior or thoughts, hallucinations, aggression.
You may continue taking Strattera (Atomoxetine) but you should alert your physician if you develop:
- feeling drowsy or dizzy;
- feeling irritable;
- dry mouth, cough;
- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, constipation;
- increased menstrual cramps;
- skin itching or rash;
- sleep problems;
- impotence, loss of sex drive.
Strattera (Atomoxetine) Drug Reactions
Ask your personal physician if it is safe to take other medicines during your treatment with Strattera (Atomoxetine).
