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Published on: February 5, 2018
Isolated atomoxetine (Strattera) ingestions commonly result in toxicity.
1Banner Good Samaritan Regional Poison Control Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|September 20, 2006
Summary
Atomoxetine overdose can cause temporary tachycardia, vomiting, and cognitive issues. Symptoms in children and adults typically resolve within 30 hours after ingestion.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Atomoxetine, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is approved for attention deficit disorder.
- Limited data exists regarding atomoxetine overdose effects.
- This study reviews patient encounters involving atomoxetine overdose.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the signs, symptoms, and outcomes of atomoxetine overdose.
- To assess the onset and duration of symptoms following atomoxetine ingestion.
Main Methods:
- Systematic chart review of poison center patient encounters involving isolated atomoxetine ingestion.
- Data collection on patient demographics, ingested amounts, signs, symptoms, and outcomes.
- Patients were followed until symptom cessation or 24 hours.
Main Results:
- Seventeen cases of isolated atomoxetine ingestion were reviewed (ages 9 months to 28 years).
- Symptoms included tachycardia (10/17), emesis (6/17), and agitation (3/17).
- Symptom onset was delayed up to 3 hours in some cases; all resolved within 30 hours.
Conclusions:
- Supratherapeutic atomoxetine ingestions can lead to transient tachycardia, vomiting, and cognitive disturbances.
- Neurological symptoms were consistently preceded by tachycardia.
- Atomoxetine overdose appears to have a favorable prognosis with symptomatic treatment.
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