atomoxetine vs fluoxetine
Side-by-side comparison of atomoxetine and fluoxetine. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
7.2 Effect of CYP2D6 Inhibitors on Atomoxetine In extensive metabolizers (EMs), inhibitors of CYP2D6 (e.g., paroxetine, fluoxetine, and quinidine) increase atomoxetine steady-state plasma concentrations to exposures similar to those observed in poor metabolizers (PMs). In EM individuals treated with paroxetine or fluoxetine, the AUC of atomoxetine is approximately 6- to 8-fold and C ss, max is about 3- to 4-fold greater than atomoxetine alone.
Recommendation: Your doctor may need to lower your dose of atomoxetine to prevent side effects.
Strattera
Prozac, Sarafem
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a medicine that can help people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It works by affecting a chemical in the brain called norepinephrine.
Fluoxetine is a medicine that can help treat depression and other mental health conditions. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Atomoxetine is used to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). ADHD can cause you to be hyperactive, impulsive, and have trouble paying attention. This medicine can help you focus, be less impulsive, and feel calmer. It is for both kids and adults.
Fluoxetine can treat major depressive disorder in adults and children. It also treats obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults and children. Fluoxetine can help with bulimia nervosa (an eating disorder) and panic disorder. Sometimes, it is used with another medicine called olanzapine to treat depression related to bipolar disorder.
Atomoxetine works by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in your brain. Norepinephrine is a chemical that helps you pay attention and control your impulses. By increasing norepinephrine, atomoxetine can improve ADHD symptoms.
Fluoxetine works by increasing the amount of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a chemical that helps regulate mood. By increasing serotonin, fluoxetine can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression, OCD, and other conditions.
- • Feeling sick to your stomach
- • Throwing up
- • Feeling tired
- • Not feeling hungry
- • Belly pain
- • Abnormal dreams
- • Problems ejaculating
- • Loss of appetite
- • Feeling anxious
- • Feeling weak
- Feeling sick to your stomach 431
- Head pain 407
- Feeling tired 401
- The health problem got worse 395
- High blood pressure 388
- The medicine is interacting with another medicine 3,336
- Harmful effect from different substances 3,316
- Feeling sick to your stomach 3,233
- Feeling tired 3,155
- Death by suicide 2,904
Atomoxetine can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and teenagers. Watch carefully for worsening mood or any unusual changes in behavior. Tell your doctor right away if you have any suicidal thoughts or feelings.
Antidepressants may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in children, teenagers, and young adults. Watch closely for worsening depression or suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any changes in mood or behavior. Fluoxetine is not approved for use in children younger than 7 years old.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if atomoxetine will harm your unborn baby. There is a pregnancy registry for women who take ADHD medicines during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about how to register.
Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Fluoxetine should only be used during pregnancy if the benefit outweighs the risk to the baby. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking fluoxetine.
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How to Read This atomoxetine vs fluoxetine Comparison
atomoxetine is classified in the Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor drug class, while fluoxetine sits within the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, atomoxetine has 2,022 submissions while fluoxetine has 15,944. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to fluoxetine blocks the liver enzyme that breaks down atomoxetine, which causes the levels of atomoxetine in your blood to rise significantly.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between atomoxetine and fluoxetine - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.