Non-stimulant for ADHD Gets FDA Approval
Atomoxetrine HCl (Strattera, Lilly) has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating symptoms of attention deficit- hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is not defined as a stimulant under federal drug laws, and it appears to have no potential for abuse. It will be a prescription drug, but will not be classified as a controlled substance. The drug is not approved for use by children younger than six years. Lilly expects Strattera to be available in pharmacies by January 2003.
Strattera, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, works differently from other FDA-approved ADHD treatments. It may work by blocking or slowing reabsorption of norepinephrine, a brain chemical that regulates attention, impulsivity and activity levels. This keeps more norepinephrine in the spaces between neurons in the brain.
It is available in capsule form to be taken once or twice a day. Weight should be monitored as some patients lost weight upon initiation of therapy.
(Eli Lilly Company. Press release. November 26, 2002. Available at www. lilly.com) --J.O.
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