WEDNESDAY, Nov. 27, 2002 (HealthDayNews) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first non-stimulant drug to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Eli Lilly's Strattera (atomoxetine) does not appear to have the potential for abuse, so the prescription drug will not be classified as a controlled substance, the FDA says.
Up to 7 percent of children and 4 percent of adults have ADHD, the American Psychiatric Association says. Symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, impulsiveness, excessive talking, daydreaming, and interrupting others.
The drug works by blocking reabsorption of the brain chemical norepinephrine. Side effects of Strattera could include loss of appetite, stomach upset, fatigue, insomnia, dry mouth and dizziness, the agency says, citing clinical trials that involved more than 4,000 patients for as long as 2 1/2 years.
Here is the FDA Talk Paper describing the drug. To learn more about ADHD, visit the National Library of Medicine.
