Objective: The aim of our study is to evaluate treatment related adverse events in children with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using atomoxetine.
Material and Methods: One hundred one patients received atomoxetine treatment were included in this study. Evaluations were conducted with all participants and their parents using Turgay DSM-IV-Based Child and Adolescent Behavioral Disorders Screening and Rating Scale, Clinic Global Impression Scale and Atomoxetine Side Effect List.
Results: Decreased appetite, irritability, loss of weight, fatigue, abdominal pain, constipation, change in sleep patterns, dizziness were common adverse effects of atomoxetine in our study. Diarrhea, rash and skin picking were rare. Changes in sleep patterns were more frequent in patients with the inattentive subtype (χ2= 5.7, p=0.06, Cramers V= 0.25, Likelihood ratio). Patients using atomoxetine as the only treatment had constipation significantly more frequently than receiving multiple regimens (p=0.02).
Conclusions: Atomoxetine is generally safe and well tolerated. Further studies with a larger sample sized are required to investigate adverse effects of atomoxetine treatment
Key words: ADHD, atomoxetine, adverse events
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