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Information |
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Drug Groups
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approved |
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Description
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Atomoxetine is the first non-stimulant drug approved for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is sold in the form of the hydrochloride salt of atomoxetine. This chemical is manufactured and marketed under the brand name Strattera; by Eli Lilly and Company and as a generic Attentin by Torrent Pharmaceuticals. There is currently no generic available within the United States due to patent restrictions. [Wikipedia] |
| Indication |
For the treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) alone or in combination with behavioral treatment, as an adjunct to psychological, educational, social, and other remedial measures. |
| Pharmacology |
Atomoxetine is the first non-stimulant drug approved for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Atomoxetine is classified as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, and is approved for use in children, adolescents, and adults. However, its efficacy has not been studied in children under six years old. Its advantage over stimulants for the treatment of ADHD is that it has less abuse potential than stimulants, is not scheduled as a controlled substance and has proven in clinical trials to offer 24 hour coverage of symptoms associated with ADHD in adults and children. |
| Toxicity |
The most commonly reported symptoms accompanying acute and chronic overdoses are somnolence, agitation, hyperactivity, abnormal behavior, and gastrointestinal symptoms. |
| Affected Organisms |
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Humans and other mammals |
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| Biotransformation |
Atomoxetine is primarily metabolized by the CYP2D6 pathway to 4-hydroxyatomoxetine. 4-Hydroxyatomoxetine is equipotent to atomoxetine as an inhibitor of the norepinephrine transporter but circulates in plasma at much lower concentrations (1% of atomoxetine concentration in EMs and 0.1% of atomoxetine concentration in PMs). |
| Absorption |
Atomoxetine is rapidly absorbed after oral administration, with absolute bioavailability of about 63% in EMs and 94% in PMs. Drugs that elevate gastric pH (magnesium hydroxide/aluminum hydroxide, omeprazole) have no effect on atomoxetine bioavailability. Absorption is minimally affected by food. |
| Half Life |
5 hours |
| Protein Binding |
At therapeutic concentrations, 98% of atomoxetine in plasma is bound to protein, primarily albumin. |
| Distribution |
* 0.85 L/kg |
| Clearance |
* 0.35 L/hr/kg [after oral administration in adult extensive metabolizers]
* 0.03 L/hr/kg [administration of atomoxetine to poor metabolizers] |
| References |
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Spencer TJ, Faraone SV, Michelson D, Adler LA, Reimherr FW, Glatt SJ, Biederman J: Atomoxetine and adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: the effects of comorbidity. J Clin Psychiatry. 2006 Mar;67(3):415-20.
[Pubmed]
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Pilhatsch MK, Burghardt R, Wandinger KP, Bauer M, Adli M: Augmentation with atomoxetine in treatment-resistant depression with psychotic features. A case report. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2006 Mar;39(2):79-80.
[Pubmed]
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Carpenter LL, Milosavljevic N, Schecter JM, Tyrka AR, Price LH: Augmentation with open-label atomoxetine for partial or nonresponse to antidepressants. J Clin Psychiatry. 2005 Oct;66(10):1234-8.
[Pubmed]
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Kratochvil CJ, Newcorn JH, Arnold LE, Duesenberg D, Emslie GJ, Quintana H, Sarkis EH, Wagner KD, Gao H, Michelson D, Biederman J: Atomoxetine alone or combined with fluoxetine for treating ADHD with comorbid depressive or anxiety symptoms. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2005 Sep;44(9):915-24.
[Pubmed]
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McElroy SL, Guerdjikova A, Kotwal R, Welge JA, Nelson EB, Lake KA, Keck PE Jr, Hudson JI: Atomoxetine in the treatment of binge-eating disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2007 Mar;68(3):390-8.
[Pubmed]
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Purper-Ouakil D, Fourneret P, Wohl M, Reneric JP: [Atomoxetine: a new treatment for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents] Encephale. 2005 May-Jun;31(3):337-48.
[Pubmed]
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Simpson D, Plosker GL: Atomoxetine: a review of its use in adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Drugs. 2004;64(2):205-22.
[Pubmed]
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Montoya A, Hervas A, Cardo E, Artigas J, Mardomingo MJ, Alda JA, Gastaminza X, Garcia-Polavieja MJ, Gilaberte I, Escobar R: Evaluation of atomoxetine for first-line treatment of newly diagnosed, treatment-naive children and adolescents with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Curr Med Res Opin. 2009 Nov;25(11):2745-54.
[Pubmed]
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Gaillez C, Sorbara F, Perrin E: [Atomoxetine (Strattera), an alternative in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children] Encephale. 2007 Sep;33(4 Pt 1):621-8.
[Pubmed]
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