Strattera

What is the most important information I should know about Strattera?
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Strattera may increase thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts in children and teens. Call your child's healthcare professional right away if your child or teen has:
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new or increased thoughts of suicide;
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changes in mood or behavior including becoming irritable or anxious.
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Strattera may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
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Strattera can cause liver damage in rare cases. Call your doctor right away if you have itching, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, upper right-sided abdominal tenderness, or unexplained "flu-like" symptoms.
What is Strattera?
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Strattera affects chemicals in the brain.
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Strattera is used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
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Strattera may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Strattera?
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Strattera may increase thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts in children and teens. Call your child's healthcare professional right away if your child or teen has:
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new or increased thoughts of suicide;
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changes in mood or behavior including becoming irritable or anxious.
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Do not take Strattera if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
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Do not take Strattera without first talking to your doctor if you have
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glaucoma;
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high blood pressure, heart disease, an irregular heart beat, or cerebrovascular disease (history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA or "ministroke"); or
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low blood pressure;
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liver problems;
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urinary retention or urinary hesitancy.
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You may not be able to take Strattera, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
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Strattera can cause liver damage in rare cases. Call your doctor right away if you have itching, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, upper right-sided abdominal tenderness, or unexplained "flu-like" symptoms.
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Strattera is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Strattera will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take Strattera without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
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It is not known whether Strattera passes into breast milk. Do not take Strattera without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Strattera?
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Take Strattera exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
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Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
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Strattera can be taken with or without food.
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It is important to take Strattera regularly to get the most benefit.
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Your doctor may want to monitor your blood pressure during treatment with Strattera.
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Store Strattera at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember during the same day. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the missed dose and take only the doses scheduled for that day. Do not take more than the prescribed total daily amount of Strattera in any 24-hour period.
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention.
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Symptoms of an Strattera overdose may include sleepiness, drowsiness, agitation, hyperactivity, abnormal behavior, gastrointestinal symptoms, blurred vision, fast heartbeat and dry mouth.
What should I avoid while taking Strattera?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Strattera may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
What are the possible side effects of Strattera?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Strattera and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
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irregular or fast heartbeats;
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chest pain or high blood pressure (blurred vision or severe headache); or
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difficult urination.
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Strattera can cause liver damage in rare cases. Call your doctor right away if you have itching, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, upper right-sided abdominal tenderness, or unexplained "flu-like" symptoms.
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Strattera and talk to your doctor if you experience
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upset stomach, nausea, or vomiting;
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decreased appetite;
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constipation;
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dry mouth;
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insomnia;
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decreased libido or sexual side effects;
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menstrual cycle changes;
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hot flushes or sweating;
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fatigue;
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dizziness; or
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irritability or mood swings.
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Strattera?
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Do not take Strattera if you have taken a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.
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Before taking Strattera, tell your doctor if you are taking
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a depression medication including fluoxetine (Prozac) or paroxetine (Paxil);
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albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin); or
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quinidine (Cardioquin, Dura-tabs, others).
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You may not be able to take Strattera, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment.
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Many other medications may interact with Strattera. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with Strattera.