Atomoxetine
Quick read
Atomoxetine may occasionally be used in pregnancy if attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms cannot be treated any other way.
What is it?
Atomoxetine (Atomaid®,Strattera®) is used to treat ADHD.
Benefits
What are the benefits of taking atomoxetine in pregnancy?
Atomoxetine can help with some symptoms of ADHD. Controlling these symptoms can help a woman remain well during pregnancy and while looking after her baby.
Risks
Are there any risks of taking atomoxetine during pregnancy?
Atomoxetine use in pregnancy is not thought to cause birth defects in the baby but ongoing research is ideally required to confirm this.
Atomoxetine works through effects on the brain. It might, therefore, cause short-term withdrawal symptoms in the newborn baby if taken in the weeks before delivery. The baby may need to be monitored after birth to check for jitteriness, difficulty sleeping, and breathing and feeding problems.
Alternatives
Are there any alternatives to taking atomoxetine?
Possibly. Other medicines can be used to treat ADHD, so switching to one with more pregnancy safety information may be an option. People with ADHD can sometimes manage without medicines but this is not the case for everyone. If ADHD is well-controlled with atomoxetine, it may be better to stay on it rather than stop or try something new and risk a relapse.
Ideally, a woman planning a pregnancy should speak to her GP or specialist to determine whether atomoxetine is still the best option. Similarly, women who have an unplanned pregnancy while taking atomoxetine should be reviewed at the earliest opportunity by their GP or specialist.
No treatment
What if I prefer not to take medicines during pregnancy?
If a woman’s ADHD causes problems with health and wellbeing, it is important that symptoms are well-controlled during pregnancy. Discontinuing ADHD medication can cause symptoms to return and stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal effects.
A medicine will only be prescribed during pregnancy if absolutely necessary and a doctor or specialist will be happy to discuss the benefits and any risks.
Please do not stop atomoxetine without speaking to your midwife, GP or specialist.
Will my baby need extra monitoring?
All pregnant women in the UK should be offered a detailed anomaly scan at around 20 weeks of pregnancy as part of their routine antenatal care. Because this scan is so thorough, extra monitoring for birth defects is not usually required following atomoxetine use in pregnancy.
Are there any risks to my baby if the father has taken atomoxetine?
We would not expect any increased risk to the baby if the father took atomoxetine before or around the time you became pregnant.
Who can I talk to if I have questions?
If you have any questions regarding the information in this leaflet please discuss them with your health care provider. They can access more detailed medical and scientific information from www.uktis.org.