Atomoxetine

1 medicine

Atomoxetine is a non-stimulant ADHD medicine that carries a warning for increased suicidal thoughts in children and teenagers, especially early in treatment.

Strattera

Atomoxetine

10/18/25/40mg

Strattera is a neurology medication containing Atomoxetine, available as 10/18/25/40mg tablets.

from $0.61 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Atomoxetine (sold as Strattera and in generic capsules) is a non-stimulant medicine for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It blocks the reuptake of noradrenaline, improving attention and reducing impulsivity.
  • It is taken once or twice daily; unlike stimulant ADHD medicines, it can take several weeks of steady use before the full benefit appears.
  • It carries a warning for increased suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents, particularly in the first months of treatment or after a dose change. Close monitoring for mood change is required.
  • Seek urgent care for chest pain, fainting, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or any new or worsening suicidal thoughts.

What atomoxetine treats

Atomoxetine treats ADHD in children aged six and over, adolescents, and adults, easing difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behaviour. It is an alternative for people who cannot take, or do not respond well to, stimulant medicines. It is not approved for depression or anxiety.

How atomoxetine works

Atomoxetine blocks the transporter that normally clears noradrenaline from brain synapses. With more noradrenaline available, particularly in the parts of the brain that govern attention and self-control, focus improves and impulsive behaviour eases, without the direct stimulant effect of drugs such as methylphenidate.

Before you take it

  • Never combine atomoxetine with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), or start it within two weeks of stopping one; the combination can cause a serious, potentially fatal reaction.
  • Avoid or use with caution if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, a tumour called phaeochromocytoma, or serious heart or blood vessel disease, since atomoxetine can raise heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Tell your prescriber about liver disease, a family history of sudden cardiac death, and any personal or family history of depression or suicidal thoughts.
  • Caution is needed in pregnancy and breastfeeding; discuss the balance of risks with your prescriber.

Side effects

Common effects include nausea, reduced appetite, dry mouth, headache, and disrupted sleep.

Stop and seek urgent medical care for any of these:

  • Severe stomach pain or yellowing of the skin or eyes, which can signal liver injury.
  • Chest pain, a rapid heartbeat, or a marked rise in blood pressure.
  • New or worsening suicidal thoughts, agitation, or unusual changes in mood or behaviour.

Safety essentials

  • The suicidality warning is the defining risk: watch children and adolescents closely for new or worsening depression, agitation or suicidal thinking, especially in the first months and after any dose change, and contact a doctor immediately if this happens.
  • Never combine atomoxetine with an MAOI.
  • Baseline and periodic checks of heart rate and blood pressure are recommended, with liver function tests if symptoms suggest a problem.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.