PharmaceuticalStimulantAnorectic

Atomoxetine

Also known as Strattera · Tomoxetine

Written by enwyReviewed 15 Jul 20262 sources0 comments

A non-stimulant ADHD medication (Strattera) that selectively inhibits noradrenaline reuptake. It has no abuse potential and is not controlled, but works more slowly than stimulants and carries its own risks including cardiovascular effects, appetite suppression and a boxed warning for suicidal ideation in youth.

01 Overview

Atomoxetine is a selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor approved for ADHD in children and adults. Unlike stimulants, it is not a controlled substance and has negligible abuse potential, making it an option where diversion or dependence is a concern. Its full effect builds over several weeks rather than acting immediately.

Common adverse effects include reduced appetite, nausea, dry mouth, insomnia and modest increases in heart rate and blood pressure. It carries a boxed warning for increased suicidal ideation in children and adolescents, and rare hepatotoxicity has been reported.

02 Mechanism

Selectively inhibits the presynaptic noradrenaline transporter (NET), increasing noradrenaline and, in the prefrontal cortex, dopamine, without the dopaminergic reward effects of stimulants.

03 Dosing

Tier	Dose	Route	Notes
Therapeutic (adult ADHD)	40–100 mg/day	Oral	Start 40 mg/day, target ~80 mg/day; max 100 mg. Once or twice daily.

04 Effects

Effect	Magnitude	Evidence
Improved attention and impulse controlReduces ADHD symptoms, though generally less than stimulants and with slower onset.	Moderate effect size in ADHD	Clinical
No abuse potentialNot a controlled substance; suitable where diversion or dependence is a concern.		Clinical

05 Side effects

Effect	Severity	Frequency	Evidence
Appetite suppression and nauseaReduced appetite, nausea and dry mouth are frequent, with some weight loss.	Moderate	Common	Clinical
Cardiovascular stimulation and insomniaModest increases in heart rate and blood pressure; insomnia can occur.	Moderate	Common	Clinical
Suicidal ideation in youthIncreased risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents; carries a boxed warning.	Severe	Rare (boxed warning)	Clinical

06 Legal status

United States

Prescription-only (not scheduled)

as of Jan 2026

07 References

Atomoxetine treatment in children and adolescents with ADHD: a randomized, placebo-controlled trialPediatrics, 2001

Strattera (atomoxetine) Prescribing InformationUS FDA

08 Discussion0 comments

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This page is reference information, not medical advice. Doses and protocols are documented as they appear in the clinical literature and in practice — describing them is not a recommendation to use them. Countermeasures listed here are not a substitute for a physician. Legal status varies by jurisdiction and changes.