Atomoxetine for ADHD: Uses, Dosage & Side Effects

You’ve been at your desk for over two hours, yet nothing’s gotten done. You looked at emails, maybe responded to the easiest one, got more coffee, and somehow you’re scrolling without even knowing how your phone ended up in your hands. You know most of your day will go like this (unless you have a deadline), and it’s how most of your workweek goes.

Getting started on a task, especially one you don’t care about, always feels like a battle. How do some people just sit down and get to work? 

If you’ve wondered about that most of your adult life, you might have ADHD. Maybe you tried productivity tips and tricks over the years, but nothing seems to work. With a proper diagnosis, though, you can get the professional support you need. That includes talk therapy or ADHD coaching, and potentially, medication. 

For anyone not sure about stimulants, atomoxetine could be a good fit. In this article, we’ll walk through what atomoxetine is, how it works, who can take it, possible side effects, and how ADHD Advisor can help you access it. We’ll cut down the overwhelm and give you a better understanding of whether atomoxetine could be a good fit for your ADHD treatment plan. 

What is Atomoxetine?

When you think of ADHD medication, stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin probably come to mind. Atomoxetine, however, was the first non-stimulant to get FDA approval for children 6+ and adults with ADHD. It’s not a Schedule II controlled substance like stimulants, so there’s also less of a risk of addiction and abuse. 

While stimulants can work quickly and feel like flipping a switch on in your brain, atomoxetine takes a slower, steadier approach. Its gradual onset can actually be a big plus if you’re sensitive to the “jolt” of stimulants, worried about side effects, or struggling with anxiety.

At ADHD Advisor, we work with adults looking for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Since atomoxetine isn’t a stimulant, it’s available for an online prescription nationwide, making it easier to access no matter where you live.

How Atomoxetine Works

Atomoxetine is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). So rather than affecting your central nervous system like a stimulant, it works to increase the amount of norepinephrine available in certain brain regions. 

Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate your alertness, attention, impulse control, and emotional responses. Atomoxetine works to keep more of this neurotransmitter available in your brain, making it easier to pause before reacting, follow through on tasks, and manage emotional ups and downs.

It’s kind of like norepinephrine is the Wi-Fi signal for your brain’s attention network. In ADHD, the signal can be weak or patchy, so atomoxetine helps boost the signal so your focus and self-control can feel stronger and more consistent. 

You might notice it’s working when:

• You can finish a work task without bouncing between your other 18 open tabs. 
• The mountain of dishes and laundry feels manageable rather than a crisis you need to avoid by any distraction possible. 
• You catch yourself pausing before interrupting someone, and you don’t blow up in anger as often. 

Research also shows that atomoxetine is effective when ADHD comes with other conditions, like anxiety, depression, or substance use disorder — which is common for people navigating ADHD.

Who Can Take Atomoxetine

Atomoxetine is FDA-approved for ADHD in children 6+, teens, and adults, though at ADHD Advisor, we only work with adults 18 and older.

That said, atomoxetine isn’t right for everyone. It may not be recommended if you have:

• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• Heart or blood vessel problems
• Other conditions and medications
• Recently taken an MAOI (a type of antidepressant)
• Family or personal history of depression, thoughts of suicide, or bipolar disorder

There’s also an important boxed warning: atomoxetine may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in children, adolescents, and young adults. This doesn’t mean everyone will experience this side effect, but it’s something that needs careful monitoring, especially early in treatment.

Dosages and Administration

Dosing is prescribed by a licensed clinician, and it’s important to keep them up to date on any side effects right away. 

The general dosage recommendations are:

• Children and adolescents up to 70kg: 
  
  • Initial dose: 0.5mg/kg
  • Target: 1.2mg/kg
  • Up to: 1.4 mg/kg

• Children and Adults 70kg or more: 
  
  • Initial dose: 40mg/day
  • Target: 80 mg
  • Up to: 100mg

Since atomoxetine isn’t a stimulant, it’s important to keep in mind that it’s not fast-acting. While stimulant medications can kick in within hours, atomoxetine usually takes several weeks before you feel its full effect. 

In the early weeks, you might catch yourself thinking, “Is this even working?” But many people notice small improvements over time, like being able to finish a task without as much internal resistance or feeling less scattered in day-to-day life.

Side Effects and Risks

Every medication comes with its risks. Some of the most common side effects of atomoxetine include:

• Dry mouth
• Mood swings
• Unusual dreams
• Excessive tiredness
• Headaches, dizziness
• Appetite and weight loss 
• Gas, heartburn, constipation
• Decreased sex drive and ability 
• Stomach pain, nausea, vomiting
• Muscle pain, sweating, hot flashes
• Burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs

If you notice any side effects becoming severe or not going away, call your doctor right away. There are also more severe side effects that require you to call your doctor immediately:

• Chest pain
• Flu-like symptoms
• Shortness of breath
• Faintness, dizziness
• Upper right stomach pain 
• Fast or irregular heartbeats
• Skin issues: itchy, rashes, hives, yellowing
• Hallucinations, abnormal thoughts, seizures

The FDA also maintains the box warning of atomoxtine’s increased risk of suicidal thoughts in children and young adults. 

Atomoxetine vs. Other ADHD Medications

Deciding on an ADHD med can feel like sitting down at a restaurant with a menu a mile long, and you’re just starving and want to eat without having to guess what’s best. 

It might feel overwhelming, but the good news is you can talk to your clinician and bring up your questions and concerns. To get a basic idea, here’s how atomoxetine compares to the rest:

• Atomoxetine vs. Stimulants (Adderall or Ritalin): Stimulants act fast; you’ll notice it within an hour or two (kind of like a triple espresso). Atomoetine can take weeks, using a slow and steady change in brain chemistry. While that might feel frustrating, it also means less chance of addiction and abuse.
• The same goes for side effects; stimulants can come with anxiety and trouble sleeping the same day. With atomoxetine, you might start waking up a few weeks in feeling queasier in the morning or more tired than usual while your body adjusts. ‍
• Atomoxetine vs. Viloxazine (Qelbree): Another non-stimulant that may or may not work better for you — it can be a bit of a “try it and see” game with ADHD medications. Both build up gradually in your system, so patience is part of the process either way.‍
• Atomoxetine vs. Guanfacine or Clonidine: These are adrenergic agonists; completely different from the rest. They don’t aim to increase norepinephrine like the others, but instead “tune it down,” acting more like a sedative. They’re more often recommended for people with severe hyperactivity and emotional outbursts. 

ADHD Care with ADHD Advisor: Nationwide Non-Stimulant Access

One of the biggest frustrations with getting ADHD medication online is all the different state laws around stimulant prescriptions. In some places, you can’t get Adderall or Ritalin through telehealth at all (or because of shortages). 

Non-stimulants like atomoxetine can make ADHD care a bit easier. Since it’s not a controlled substance, ADHD Advisor’s clinicians can prescribe it to adults all across the US. 

Step-by-Step Process

Here’s how we made an online ADHD test with diagnosis and medical treatment as easy as possible:

1. Fill out the online intake form.
2. Schedule your telehealth evaluation for your ADHD diagnosis confirmation. 
3. Get your clinician’s treatment plan, which may include therapy, non-stimulants, or stimulants if eligible. 
   
4. Atomoxetine is available nationwide as a non-stimulant ADHD option
5. Attend your follow-up visits for dose and symptom monitoring.

Access, Cost, and Insurance

One of the upsides of atomoxetine is that it’s available in a generic form, which usually means a lower price tag than its brand-name Strattera. Most pharmacies across the U.S. stock it, and you don’t have to worry about shortages as much as stimulants. For example, you can only get stimulants like Adderall online in a few select states, like Texas or Florida (check your state-specific page). 

With ADHD Advisor, payment is straightforward: there’s no direct insurance billing. Instead, you’ll get a superbill you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.

FAQs

Is atomoxetine FDA-approved for ADHD?

Yes. Atomoxetine (brand name Strattera) was the first non-stimulant to get FDA approval for treating ADHD.

Can ADHD Advisor prescribe atomoxetine? 

Yes. ADHD Advisor can prescribe atomoxetine online nationwide for adults.

Is atomoxetine addictive? 

No. Atomoxetine isn’t a stimulant, and it’s not a controlled substance, so there’s little abuse potential.

How does atomoxetine compare to stimulants? 

Atomoxetine builds gradually (a few weeks). Meanwhile, you can notice stimulants’ effects within an hour or two, which also creates a higher risk of addiction and abuse. 

What are the main risks?

The most common side effects are tiredness, insomnia, nausea, stomach pain, headaches, appetite loss, sexual difficulties, and dry mouth. As for serious side effects, the FDA warns of a risk of suicidality in children and young adults.