There are many types of behavioral disorders and ADHD is one of them, which most commonly occurs in childhood. Nearly 2-6 of school children suffer through this behavioral disorder and boys fall more prey to this disorder as compared to girls.

The causes of ADHD are still unknown, but it is believed that such behavioral disorders generally develop from heredity and is set in motion early in life as the brain is developing. And most children with ADHD also have at least one other developmental or behavioral problem and they may also have a psychiatric problem, such as depression or bipolar disorder.

Some symptoms are seen with ADHD, such as - learning disabilities, confusion, tic disorders, depression, lack of sleep etc. Children having ADHD should be carefully examined by a doctor and the child’s condition should be reported each time. Watch your child’s behavior very carefully if he/she is taking Atomoxetine especially any time his or her dose is increased or decreased.

Teenagers and children suffering from ADHD and who consume Atomoxetine medication are more likely to think about killing themselves than children and teenagers with ADHD who do not take Atomoxetine. Your child’s doctor may also want to speak with you or your child by telephone from time to time. Keep all appointments for office visits or telephone conversations with his or her doctor. Some medical studies have suggested that the brains of children suffering from ADHD are different from those of other children.

However, before taking Atomoxetine i.e. Strattera medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. Talk to your doctor about all the possible risks of taking Strattera medication. However, Strattera may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Hence, for more information, consult your doctor and your medical pharmacist.

Follow the directions given by the doctor exactly for the usage of the Strattera i.e. Atomoxetine medication and also read the prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part that you do not understand.

Remember: Dosage and duration of this medicine is dependent upon age, weight and the medical condition of the patient.

If you notice any of the symptoms, which seem severe or persistent to you, please contact your doctor immediately. However, your doctor may need to monitor you carefully for side effects and alter the doses if necessary.

Strattera is generally well-tolerated. The most common side effects are: blood pressure, skin rashes, other new and unusual behavior changes,
mood changes, agitation/irritability/excessive crying, hives/itching, stomach pain/tenderness, suicidal thoughts, vomiting, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or in the whites of your eyes, irregular heart rhythm, dark-colored urine, difficulty in breathing, difficulty in urinating, extreme tiredness / fatigue / body aches / muscle aches / chills, increased chest pain etc.

Inform your doctor if you experience any of these side effects or some new side effects occur which appear too bothersome to you.

Inform your doctor if you are allergic to the formulation of this medication or any other medication in any other form and also inform your doctor about any other medication you may be taking in any other form, as they may affect the way your medicine works.

However, Strattera may interact – alcohol, amphetamines, atropine, breathing medications like Albuterol/formoterol/Salmeterol/ cimetidine, certain heart medications, cold medications, decongestants, depression anxiety or other mood problems medications, ephedra Ma huang/ephedrine, furazolidone,
HIV infection/AIDS medications, linezolid, MAOIs, procarbazine, scopolamine,
selegiline, thioridazine, weight loss medications etc.

Moreover, Strattera i.e. Atomoxetine may also interact with some kind of foods, varied medications, herbal products, nutritional supplements, vitamins, other OTC medicines, some vaccinations etc. Acquire more information about the interactions of the Strattera medication from your doctor and the medical pharmacists.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Do not allow any other person to use your medication without getting doctor’s prescription themselves and also avoid using this medicine for other health conditions on your own. Keep the medicine away from the children and pets.

Also inform your doctor, if you are pregnant or are breast feeding. If you conceive during the course, inform your doctor immediately. Do not share your medicines with anyone, even if they have the same symptoms, for it may harm them. Do not begin, increase, decrease, or stop using this medicine on your own. In short discuss your complete medical history with your doctor, before taking the medicine.

Remember, it is very important to keep regular appointments with your doctor to study the way your body is responding to the course. And if you are going to have a surgery, tell your health care professional that you are using Strattera medication.
Carry with you at all times an ID card mentioning your name, the medicine you are taking, the dosage, the name of the person and your health care professional they should call in case of an emergency. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory and keep regular checks ups.

Also avoid alcohol and alcohol containing beverages whilst on a course with this medication.

And in case, if you wish to use the medicine in children, please contact your pediatrician for sure before its use.

If you missed the Strattera i.e. Atomoxetine medication dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. However, if it is almost time for the next dose skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Never double your doses to cope up with the missed. And in case, if you miss your one or two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

Generic Strattera is used in the treatment of ADHD i.e. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

However, it may also be used to treat some other medical conditions which may be determined by your doctor accordingly and consult a pediatrician for the use of this medication in children.

The generic Strattera i.e. Atomoxetine medication may be prescribed for other uses also and hence ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information about the Strattera i.e. Atomoxetine medication.

Store generic Strattera i.e. Atomoxetine, at room temperature in between 59-86°F and 15-30°C, in a cool and dry place. Keep the medicine in the container, it came in and always keep it tightly closed. Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Do not freeze in any case. Also, keep it away from heat, dampness and direct light. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down. When the medicine is not in use or outdated it should be discarded. Take help of your pharmacist in disposing this medicine properly. In any case, do not store the Strattera medication in the bathroom.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Strattera i.e. Atomoxetine:

1. Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had: kidney disease, lung disease, liver disease, heart disease, diabetes, low or high blood pressure, asthma, heart attack, seizures, strokes, suicidal thoughts, trouble in urinating, dehydration,
glaucoma, irregular heartbeats, mania/bipolar disorder, other cardiac disease,
prostate enlargement, recent weight loss, serious injury/infection or any other severe disease etc. Also inform, if you drink alcoholic beverages or are a tobacco smoker etc.

2. Also acknowledge your doctor if you need to undergo any kind of surgery, including dental surgery or need an x-ray procedure that uses contrast agents. So, inform your doctors immediately about it, so that the doctor can decide whether to continue taking Strattera medication or stop it during the surgery.

3. Let the doctor also know, if you are in-taking or are planning to take any prescribed or non prescribed medicines, health supplements or any other OTC medications, vitamins etc.

4. Do not use the Strattera i.e. Atomoxetine medication, if you have any kind of allergy to it or to any ingredients of it and tell your doctor or pharmacist about the allergy and get treated accordingly.

5. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding before taking Strattera medication. Hence also, inform your doctor immediately when you plan to conceive, or become pregnant during the course.

6. Do not share the drug with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. And if your symptoms of side effects do not improve in few weeks or if they become worse and bothersome, check these conditions immediately with your doctor.

7. Please, use the Strattera medicine in the prescribed amount and do not overdose it or use it for the longer period of time. Do not discontinue on your own and consult your doctor before doing so to avoid further problems.

8. Regularly, keep your appointments with your doctor and keep an eye on the progress or side effects that has been noticed during the complete course.

9. Also, avoid smoking and consuming alcohol and alcohol containing beverages during the complete course to achieve good results.

10. For more information, contact your doctor and your pharmacists and also discuss the risks and benefits of the generic Strattera.

11. Remember: It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular intervals.