Atomoxetine

(AT oh mox e teen)

What key warnings do I need to know about before giving this drug to my child?

• Watch your child closely for a want to harm him/herself or for a change in actions. Ask your child to talk with you if he/she is planning to harm him/herself. Take your child to the nearest ER (emergency room) if he/she wants to harm him/herself.
• Sometimes drugs are not safe when your child takes them with other drugs. Taking them together can cause bad side effects. This is one of those drugs. Be sure to talk to your child’s doctor about all the drugs your child takes.
• This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled.

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to atomoxetine or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.
• Not if your child has any of these health problems: Glaucoma, very bad heart disease, high blood pressure, or pheochromocytoma.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat attention deficit problems with hyperactivity. It may take 8 weeks to see the full effect.

How is this drug given?

• Give this drug at the same time of day.
• Give early in the day to stop sleep problems.
• Give this drug with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Have your child swallow whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
• The doctor will see your child often during the start of this drug and when the dose is changed.

How long does this drug take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better a few weeks after starting this drug.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• Your child may have some heart tests before starting this drug. Talk with your child's doctor.
• If your child has a fast heartbeat, talk with your child's doctor.
• If your child has heart disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has high blood pressure, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has liver disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has a mental health problem, talk with the doctor.
• Have your child's blood pressure and heart rate checked often. Talk with your child's doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• If your child is taking this drug and has high blood pressure, talk with the doctor before giving OTC products that may raise blood pressure. These include cough or cold drugs, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and some natural products or aids.
• Limit your child's use of caffeine and chocolate. Use with this drug may cause nervousness, shakiness, and a fast heartbeat.
• If your child has thoughts of harming him/herself, talk with the doctor.
• This drug may affect growth in children and teens in some cases. They may need regular growth checks. Talk with the doctor.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Feeling dizzy. Have your child get up slowly over a few minutes when sitting or lying down. Have your child be extra careful climbing stairs.
• Headache.
• Belly pain.
• Upset stomach or throwing up. Many small meals and good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.
• Not able to sleep.
• Hard stools (constipation). Drinking more liquids, working out, or adding fiber to your diet may help. Talk with your doctor about a stool softener or laxative.
• Dry mouth. Good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy. Have your child see a dentist often.
• Not hungry.
• Nose stuffiness.
• Harm to the liver may rarely happen.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child shows signs of low mood (depression), thoughts of killing him/herself, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, thinking that is not normal, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.
• If your child has thoughts of harming him/herself, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, thinking that is not normal, or anxiety.
• If your child has a fast heartbeat.
• If your child has mean or not normal actions.
• If your child has very bad belly pain.
• If your child has flu-like signs.
• If your child has a bad headache.
• If your child has a big weight loss.
• If your child is not able to eat.
• If your child has dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
• If your child is not able to pass urine.
• If your child has itching.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from heat.
• Protect from light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your healthcare provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

All content copyright © 1978-2013 Lexi-Comp Inc. or its respective owners. All Rights Reserved.