What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-Glaucoma
-High or low blood pressure
-History of stroke
-Irregular heartbeat or other cardiac disease
-Liver disease
-Mania or bipolar disorder
-Pheochromocytoma
-Suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempt by you or a family member
-An unusual or allergic reaction to atomoxetine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-Breastfeeding
What may interact with this medication?
Do not take this medication with any of the following:
-Cisapride
-Dronedarone
-MAOIs, such as Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
-Pimozide
-Reboxetine
-Thioridazine
This medication may also interact with the following:
-Certain medications for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat
-Certain medications for lung disease, such as albuterol
-Certain medications for mental heath conditions
-Cold or allergy medications
-Dofetilide
-Fluoxetine
-Medications that increase blood pressure, such as dopamine, dobutamine, or ephedrine
-Other medications that cause heart rhythm changes
-Paroxetine
-Quinidine
-Stimulant medications for ADHD, weight loss, or staying awake
-Ziprasidone
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
What should I watch for while using this medication?
Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. It may take a week or more before you see the benefit from this medication. This is why it is very important to continue taking the medication and not miss any doses. If you have been taking this medication regularly for some time, do not suddenly stop taking it. Ask your care team for advice.
Rarely, this medication may increase thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts in children and teenagers. Call your child's care team right away if your child or teenager has new or increased thoughts of suicide or has changes in mood or behavior like becoming irritable or anxious. Regularly monitor your child for these behavioral changes.
Contact you care team right away if you have an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours or if it becomes painful. This may be a sign of serious problem and must be treated right away to prevent permanent damage.
This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.
Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or allergies without asking your care team for advice. Some ingredients can increase possible side effects.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy and drinking plenty of water will help.
What are the most serious risks of this medication?
This medication may increase thoughts of suicide. This may be more common in children, teenagers, and young adults. The risk may increase after first starting the medication and after dose changes. Talk to your care team right away if you have changes in mood and behavior or thoughts of self-harm or suicide.