atomoxetine

Question 1

when should doses be taken

Answer 1

morning
if given as divided dose, last dose should be no later than early evening

Question 2

children max licensed dose

Answer 2

100mg daily

Question 3

adults max licensed dose

Answer 3

dose max of 120mg not licensed

Question 4

3 CI

Answer 4

phaeochromocytoma
severe CVD
severe cerebrovascular disease

Question 5

Avoid this drug class, and for 2 weeks after stopping it, because it is predicted to increase the risk of adverse effects when given with atomoxetine

Answer 5

MAOIs - tranylcypromine, phenelzine, isocarboxazid

Question 6

common side effect - weight decreased. true or false?

Answer 6

true

Question 7

Dose adjustments in HI

Answer 7

1/2 dose in moderate impairment
1/4 dose in severe

Question 8

monitoring

Answer 8

• appearance or worsening of anxiety, depression, tics
• pulse, BP, psychiatric symptoms, appetite, weight and height should be recorded at initiation of therapy, following each dose adjustment, and at least every 6 months thereafter

Question 9

How often do these need to be measured: BP, pulse, psychiatric symptoms, appetite, weight, height

Answer 9

initiation
following each dose adjustment
at least every 6 months thereafter

Question 10

For atomoxetine, the patient needs to be regularly monitored - at initiation, following each dose change, and at least every 6 months thereafter. Which one is not a monitoring requirement?
- Pulse
- BP
- Height
- Weight
- Appetite
- Psychiatric symptoms
- Educational ability

Answer 10

Educational ability

Question 11

Atomoxetine is …toxic so patients and carers should be advised of the rare risk and be told how to recognise symptoms; prompt medical attention should be sought in the case of ….

Answer 11

Hepatotoxic
Jaundice, unexplained n/v, malaise, dark urine, abdominal pain

Question 12

Warning label

Answer 12

This medicine may make you sleepy. If this happens, do not drive or use tools or machines

Question 13

Atomoxetine is associated with sexual dysfunction - T or F

Answer 13

True

Question 14

State some common side effects

Answer 14

• anxiety
• appetite reduced, weight loss
• sexual dysfunction, arrhythmias, palpitations, tremor, menstrual cycle irregularities - all uncommon in children
• vomiting, nausea

Question 15

cautions

Answer 15

QT interval prolongation
aggressive behaviour
CVD
cerebrovascular disease
Hx seizures
hypertension
mania
pyschosis
etc