Strattera FDA Alerts
The FDA Alert(s) below may be specifically about Strattera or relate to a group or class of drugs which include Strattera (atomoxetine).
MedWatch Safety Alerts are distributed by the FDA and published by Drugs.com. Following is a list of possible medication recalls, market withdrawals, alerts and warnings. For the latest FDA MedWatch alerts, go here.
Recent FDA Alert(s) for atomoxetine
Methylphenidate ADHD Medications: Drug Safety Communication - Risk of Long-lasting Erections
Dec 17, 2013
Audience: Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Consumer
ISSUE: FDA is warning that methylphenidate products (including Concerta, Daytrana, Focalin/Focalin XR, Metadate CD/Metadate ER, Methylin/Methylin ER, Quillivant XR, Ritalin/Ritalin LA/Ritalin SR), one type of stimulant drug used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may in rare instances cause prolonged and sometimes painful erections known as priapism. Based on a recent review of methylphenidate products, FDA updated drug labels and patient Medication Guides to include information about the rare but serious risk of priapism. If not treated right away, priapism can lead to permanent damage to the penis.
Priapism can occur in males of any age and happens when blood in the penis becomes trapped, leading to an abnormally long-lasting and sometimes painful erection. Another ADHD drug, Strattera (atomoxetine), has also been associated with priapism in children, teens, and adults.
Priapism appears to be more common in patients taking atomoxetine than in those taking methylphenidate products; however, because of limitations in available information, FDA does not know how often priapism occurs in patients taking either type of product.
See the FDA Drug Safety Communication for additional information, including a Data Summary.
BACKGROUND: Methylphenidate products are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
RECOMMENDATION: Healthcare professionals should talk to male patients and their caregivers to make sure they know the signs and symptoms of priapism and stress the need for immediate medical treatment should it occur. Younger males, especially those who have not yet reached puberty, may not recognize the problem or may be embarrassed to tell anyone if it occurs.
Encourage your patients to read the Medication Guide they receive with every filled prescription. Use caution when considering switching patients from methylphenidate to atomoxetine. Patients should not stop taking a methylphenidate product without first discussing it with your health care professional.
Healthcare professionals and patients are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:
- Complete and submit the report Online: www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/index.cfm
- Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178
[12/17/2013 - Drug Safety Communication - FDA]
Strattera (atomoxetine) - Sep 29, 2005
Sep 29, 2005
Audience: Neuropsychiatric and other Healthcare Professionals, and Consumers
[Posted 09/29/2005] The FDA directed Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly), the manufacturer of Strattera (atomoxetine), to revise the prescribing information to include a boxed warning and additional warning statements that alert health care providers of an increased risk of suicidal thinking in children and adolescents being treated with this medication. FDA also informed Lilly that a Patient Medication Guide (MedGuide) should be provided to patients when Strattera is dispensed. The MedGuide advises patients of the risks associated with and precautions that can be taken when Strattera is dispensed. Further, pediatric patients being treated with Strattera should be closely observed for clinical worsening, as well as agitation, irritability, suicidal thinking or behaviors, and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the initial few months of a course of drug therapy, or at times of dose changes, either increases or decreases.Strattera (atomoxetine) - Dec 21, 2004
Dec 21, 2004
Audience: Neuropsychiatric and other healthcare professionals
FDA notified health care professionals about a new warning for Strattera, a drug approved for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. The labeling is being updated with a bolded warning about the potential for severe liver injury following two reports (a teenager and an adult) in patients who had been treated with Strattera for several months, both of whom recovered. Health care professionals are encouraged to report any unexpected adverse events associated with Strattera to Eli Lilly or to the FDA MedWatch program.[December 17, 2004 - Talk Paper - FDA]
[February 01, 2005 - Revised Label - FDA]
