Atomoxetine 40 mg Capsules

What is Atomoxetine 40 mg?

Atomoxetine 40 mg is also known as Atomoxetine Hydrochloride / Atomoxetine HCL sold under the brand name Attentrol & Stattera. Atomoxetine 40 mg (Atomoxetine Hcl – Hydrochloride) is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD – a behavioral disorder in children marked by poor concentration, hyperactivity and learning difficulties). It can be prescribed with or without psychostimulants.

Atomoxetine 40 mg is used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It works to develop the attention span, concentration & reduces impulsive behavior in a student.

It got FDA approved in the year 2002 by 2019, and this medicine was considered as 268th most commonly prescribed medication in the US. This medicine is manufactured in the market in form of hydrochloride salt by Eli Lilly and Company.

What are The Medical Uses of Atomoxetine 40 mg Capsules ?

Atomoxetine 40 mg is a cognitive enhancer used to develop memory, attention & alertness in children suffering from poor concentration, hyperactivity & learning difficulties. It works to increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels in the brain. Initially, Atomoxetine 40mg was developed with the intention to treat depression and make it work as an anti-depression which later proved efficient for the treatment of depression. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder commonly diagnosed in the childhood stage and patients struggle with paying attention and including signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness. 

How does Atomoxetine 40 mg Capsule Work?

Atomoxetine 40 mg is a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor (NRI) medication prescribed to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which is a common neurodevelopmental disorder commonly diagnosed in the childhood stage and patients struggle with paying attention and including signs of hyperactivity and impulsiveness. 

When you take a dose of Atomoxetine 40, it inhibits the presynaptic norepinephrine transporter (NET) and blocks the dopamine transporter (DAT). This initial action of the medication leads to the prevention of the reuptake of norepinephrine and dopamine. Atomoxetine 40, in simple words, modulates the activity of certain chemical messengers in the brain. Triggering an increase in the ability of an individual suffering from ADHD to pay attention and a decrease in hyperactivity. Also, Atomoxetine 40 is a medicine that you can use to manage depression symptoms too. 

Atomoxetine 40mg is a cognitive enhancer helps to promote attention & alertness in patients suffering from ADHD by developing their attention span and helps them to reduce their hyperactivity or impulsive behaviors. It works to improve your memory.

How Long does Atomoxetine 40 mg Capsule Last?

Every drug has its own shelf life to stay inside the body and they have their own ways of working inside the body for a specific amount of time. This medication has a shelf life of 5.2 hours to 21.6 hours in the body and it completely wears off by 24 hours. 

What are The Dosage Guidelines of Atomoxetine 40 mg Capsule ?

The dosage plan for Atomoxetine 40 will depend on the age group in which the individual is consuming it. The schedule is as follows: 

Usual adult dose for ADHD:

The minimum initial dose of this ADHD medicine is 40 mg/day orally. The maintenance dose increases to 80 mg/day orally only after persisting with the initial dose for three days. Despite taking the initial and maintenance dose, if you still need to get the desired effect, you need to, after a wait of two to four weeks, increase the dosage to 100 mg/day. 

Usual Pediatric dose for ADHD:

 The dosage for children will be divided as per the body weight as follows: 

Less than 70 kg:

For a child weighing less than 70 kg, the minimum initial dose is 0.5 mg/kg/orally. Meanwhile, the maintenance dose will increase to 1.2 mg/kg/orally three days after taking the initial dose. If despite the increase of initial and maintenance dose, there are no changes in ADHD symptoms, then the maximum dose you can give is 1.4 mg/kg/orally or 100 mg/day. 

More than 70 kg:

 A child with a weight of more than 70 kg must be given a minimum initial dose of 40 mg/day orally. You increase the maintenance dose to 80 mg/day three days post the initial dose. You do if you do not get the desired result on the consumption of the first dosage. Finally, if after two or four weeks of taking Atomoxetine 40, it still does not help, then the maximum dosage you need to take is 100 mg/day. 

However, if you suffer from a moderate-to-severe hepatic impairment, you must reduce the initial and maintenance dosage to about 50% and 25%, respectively. 

There is also a possibility that while taking an Atomoxetine 40 dose, you may either miss a dose or overdose. In such undesirable situations, all you need to do is to follow the instructions given below: 

Missed Dosage:

If you happen to skip a dose of Atomoxetine 40 due to negligence, you must take it as soon as you remember. Moreover, if the time to take a fresh dose is fast approaching, you must avoid skipped doses. Never mix two doses. 

Overdose:

When you overdose on Atomoxetine 40, you may experience adverse effects that may prove fatal if you do not treat it. Overdosing on any medicines should be avoided in order to prevent side effects and consequences that can turn fatal to your health. Even though Atomoxetine 40 mg is mostly non-toxic in nature, overdose needs to be avoided. Overdose on this medicine can lead you to experience certain symptoms like:

• Gastrointestinal symptoms
• Somnolence
• Dizziness
• Tremor
• Abnormal or impulse behavior
• Hyperactivity
• Uncomfort or restlessness
• Dry mouth
• Tachycardia/ abnormal heartbeat rate
• Hypertension
• Mydriasis

Hence, when you face such a circumstance, you must stop taking Atomoxetine 40 and call your doctor immediately.

When and How to Take Atomoxetine 40 mg Capsule ?

Atomoxetine 40 mg is used for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder to develope memory, attention, impulsive behavior control & alertness. Atomoxetine 40mg treats Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) to develop attention span, concentration & reduces impulsive behavior. Doctors initially tell you to consume capsule of this medication once a day and gradually increase your dosage after three days into one time daily or divide it with a duration gap of 12 hours.

Do not take Atomoxetine 40 mg without a doctor’s prescription, you need to consult your doctor regarding the dosage query always. Children patients in the age group of 6 to 15 years with the medical condition of ADHD have a dose range of 1.2-1.8mg per kg per day depending upon their height, weight, and severity of the medical condition. The doctor may or may not increase the dosage depending upon the patient’s condition and body weight. It works effectively for children in the age group of 6 to 15 years who are going through a medical condition called ADHD.

What are The Side Effects of Atomoxetine 40 mg Capsules ?

Medicines tend to have side effects which can affect patients’ health in both direct and indirect ways. Side effects of Atomoxetine 40 mg include:

• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Upset stomach
• Mood swings
• Insomnia
• Feeling lazy
• Stomach ache

Some medicines include adverse side effects and one must note the list of side effects before consuming any medicine to prevent consequences. Here are the adverse side effects of thie medicine as below:

• Constipation
• Dryness in mouth 
• Insomnia or difficulty in sleeping 
• Erectile dysfunction
• Urinary tract abnormalities like trouble passing urine or painful urination
• Pain during menstruation
• Heated body

Who should Avoid Atomoxetine 40 mg ?

There are certain body types that are unable to tolerate certain chemical substances. Every medicine has a certain type of limitation for some types of people and a person should inform their doctor about their past medical history or any kind of allergies they have before consuming any type of pill. If a person or child has any of the following conditions then please take care of it and inform your doctor before consuming Atomoxetine 40 mg:

• Experienced any kind of allergy with this medication or its components
• Patients who go through a condition named Glaucoma that causes an increase of pressure in their eyes which could possibly lead to blindness 
• People went through treatment within 14 days of starting Atomoxetine 40mg which includes drugs like monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxazid, or selegiline transdermal system
• Patients who have an adrenal problem called pheochromocytoma 
• A person who is suffering from severe heart disease 

What are The Medicines to Avoid While Treating with Atomoxetine 40 mg?

Some combinations of medicines with Atomoxetine 40 mg can cause adverse side effects to patients. Following is the list of MAO (Monoamine oxidase) inhibitors to avoid with Atomoxetine 40mg:

• isocarboxazid
• linezolid
• metaxalone
• methylene blue
• moclobemide
• phenelzine
• procarbazine
• rasagiline
• safinamide
• selegiline
• tranylcypromine

What are The Alternative Medicines for Atomoxetine 40 mg?

Atomoxetine 40mg (Strattera) is a non-stimulant drug contains Atomoxetine as an active ingredient prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There are some alternatives that you can use in place of this medication.

• guanfacine
• clonidine
• antidepressants
• psychostimulants

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What does the drug Atomoxetine 40 mg do?

Atomoxetine helps to treat a medical condition named Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It works as a cognitive enhancer which helps to improve attention increase your alertness, and improves your memory.

Q. What does Atomoxetine 40 mg make you feel like?

After consuming Atomoxetine 40mg you will feel more altered, and your attention will improve along with a boost in memory.

Q. Is Atomoxetine 40mg a stimulant or depressant?

Atomoxetine 40 mg is a non-stimulant medication prescribes to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Initially, this medication was developed with the intention to treat depression and make it work as an anti-depression which later proved efficient for the treatment of depression.

Q. Does Atomoxetine 40 mg help you focus?

Yes, it does. Atomoxetine 40mg is a non-stimulating drug that helps to improve your concentration in turn sharpening your focus. So, it helps you to focus.

Q. How long does it take for Atomoxetine 40 mg to kick in?

Usually, patients feel the difference after consuming Atomoxetine 40 mg after two weeks but sometimes it may take 4 to 8 weeks for this medicine to come into effect.