Description
Atomoxetine hydrochloride, also known as tomoxetine hydrochloride, is a commonly prescribed treatment for a variety of ADHD subtypes. This compound also displays minor antidepressant activity, but is not active enough of its own to warrant prescription use as a treatment for depression. Atomoxetine hydrochloride inhibits norepinephrine transporters (NET), increasing norepinephrine and dopamine levels, and inhibits serotonin transporters (SERT) and N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors to a lesser degree. Perhaps due to its modulation of neurotransmitters, atomoxetine is also currently being studied as a potential relapse prevention therapy in recently abstinent substance abuse subjects.
References
Isaksson J, Hogmark A, Nilsson KW, et al. Effects of stimulants and atomoxetine on cortisol levels in children with ADHD. Psychiatry Res. 2013 Jul 11. pii: S0165-1781 PMID: 23850434.
Ercan ES, Akyol Ardic U, Kabukcu Basay B, et al. Atomoxetine response in the inattentive and combined subtypes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a retrospective chart review. Atten Defic Hyperact Disord. 2013 Jun 5. [Epub ahead of print]. PMID: 23737214.
Silverstone PH, Dadashova R. Atomoxetine treatment for nicotine withdrawal: a pilot double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose study in adult smokers. Ann Gen Psychiatry. 2012 Mar 9;11(1):6. PMID: 22405499.
Economidou D, Dalley JW, Everitt BJ. Selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibition by atomoxetine prevents cue-induced heroin and cocaine seeking. Biol Psychiatry. 2011 Feb 1;69(3):266-74. PMID: 21109233.
Ludolph AG, Udvardi PT, Schaz U, et al. Atomoxetine acts as an NMDA receptor blocker in clinically relevant concentrations. Br J Pharmacol. 2010 May;160(2):283-91. PMID: 20423340.
