atomoxetine
Brand names: Strattera
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.
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$12.67/unit
Generic Price
$0.38/unit
Generic Savings
97%
Generic Available
Yes (8 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Atomoxetine is used to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Common side effects
Feeling sick to your stomach, Throwing up, Feeling tired
Key warnings
Atomoxetine can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and teenagers.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take atomoxetine capsules exactly as your doctor tells you. You can take it with or without food. The usual starting dose is based on your weight. Your doctor may change your dose over time.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time.
Storage
Store atomoxetine capsules at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 4,403 FDA adverse event reports.
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 3,228 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
3,228
Death-Related Reports
879
Hospitalization Reports
1,203
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DRUG INEFFECTIVE | 606 |
| 2 | OFF LABEL USE | 606 |
| 3 | NAUSEA | 431 |
| 4 | DRUG INTOLERANCE | 407 |
| 5 | HEADACHE | 407 |
| 6 | FATIGUE | 401 |
| 7 | CONDITION AGGRAVATED | 395 |
| 8 | HYPERTENSION | 388 |
| 9 | INSOMNIA | 381 |
| 10 | VOMITING | 381 |
| 11 | PAIN | 379 |
| 12 | ARTHRALGIA | 374 |
| 13 | ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT | 367 |
| 14 | HEPATIC ENZYME INCREASED | 367 |
| 15 | HYPOAESTHESIA | 360 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
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.
Known Drug Interactions
( 7.3 ) • Albuterol (or other beta 2 agonists) - Action of albuterol on cardiovascular system can be potentiated. 7.4 Albuterol Atomoxetine should be administered with caution to patients being treated with systemically-administered (oral or intravenous) albuterol (or other beta 2 agonists) because the action of albuterol on the cardiovascular system can be potentiated resulting in increases in heart rate and blood pressure. Albuterol (600 mcg iv over 2 hours) induced increases in heart rate and blood pressure.
Mechanism: Atomoxetine can make the effects of albuterol on your heart and blood vessels much stronger. This can cause your heart to beat faster and your blood pressure to rise.
What to do: Use these medications together with caution and under a doctor's supervision. Your provider should regularly check your heart rate and blood pressure.
7.9 Drugs that Affect Gastric pH Drugs that elevate gastric pH (magnesium hydroxide/aluminum hydroxide, omeprazole) had no effect on atomoxetine bioavailability.
Mechanism: Omeprazole changes the acid levels in the stomach, but this does not change how the body absorbs atomoxetine.
What to do: No special changes are needed when taking these two drugs together.
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.
Mechanism: Fluoxetine blocks the liver enzyme that breaks down atomoxetine, which causes the levels of atomoxetine in your blood to rise significantly.
What to do: Your doctor may need to lower your dose of atomoxetine to prevent side effects.
7.7 Methylphenidate Coadministration of methylphenidate with atomoxetine did not increase cardiovascular effects beyond those seen with methylphenidate alone.
Mechanism: Taking these two drugs together does not seem to cause extra stress on the heart compared to taking methylphenidate by itself.
What to do: These drugs can be taken together, but your doctor should still monitor your heart rate and blood pressure.
Atomoxetine did not affect the binding of warfarin, acetylsalicylic acid, phenytoin, or diazepam to human albumin.
Mechanism: Atomoxetine does not interfere with how warfarin attaches to proteins in the blood, so it should not change how well the blood thinner works.
What to do: No dosage adjustments are typically required for this combination.
Common Questions
Can I open the capsule and sprinkle it on food?
Can I stop taking atomoxetine suddenly?
Will atomoxetine cure my ADHD?
How long does it take for atomoxetine to work?
Can atomoxetine affect my heart?
Can atomoxetine cause liver problems?
Can atomoxetine affect my growth?
Can I drink alcohol while taking atomoxetine?
What should I do if I think I'm having a side effect?
Can I take atomoxetine if I have glaucoma?
What are the common side effects of atomoxetine?
Does atomoxetine interact with other medications?
What drug class is atomoxetine?
Is there a generic version of atomoxetine?
Is atomoxetine safe during pregnancy?
Has atomoxetine been recalled?
Active Recalls
CGMP Deviations: presence of N-Nitroso Atomoxetine Impurity above the FDA recommended limit.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations: presence of N-Nitroso Atomoxetine Impurity above the FDA recommended limit.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations: presence of N-Nitroso Atomoxetine Impurity above the FDA recommended limit.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations: presence of N-Nitroso Atomoxetine Impurity above the FDA recommended limit.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
CGMP Deviations: presence of N-Nitroso Atomoxetine Impurity above the FDA recommended limit.
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
Related Medications in Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor
Other drugs grouped near atomoxetine — same-class peers and common alternatives.
acamprosate
Campral
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alprazolam
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Alprazolam (Xanax) is a medication that can help you with anxiety and panic disorders.
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amitriptyline
Elavil
Amitriptyline is a medicine used to treat depression.
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amphetamine/dextroamphetamine
Adderall, Adderall XR
Adderall XR is a stimulant medicine.
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aripiprazole
Abilify
Aripiprazole (Abilify) is a medicine used to treat certain mental disorders and mood problems.
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
Related Health & Safety Data
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What the FDA Data Shows for atomoxetine
The FDA label for atomoxetine (sold under brand names such as Strattera) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor class. Atomoxetine is used to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Official labeling lists 11 commonly reported side effects, including Feeling sick to your stomach, Throwing up, Feeling tired.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 4,403 voluntary reports. The database also lists 15 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.38 versus $12.67 for the brand — a 97% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation — a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 5 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice — always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: November 1, 2023
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book — approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed — NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) — post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm — standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files — federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database — current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages