Atomoxetine-induced electrocardiogram changes

• Published in: Archives of disease in childhood Vol. 91; no. 12; pp. 1023 - 1024
• Main Authors: Rajesh, A S, Bates, G, Wright, J G C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health 01.12.2006; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group Ltd; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Group
• Subjects: Adolescents; Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors - adverse effects; Analysis; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - chemically induced; Atomoxetine; Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity - drug therapy; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac arrhythmia; Child; Drug dosages; Drug toxicity and drugs side effects treatment; Electrocardiogram; Electrocardiography; Electrocardiography - drug effects; Evaluation; Heart conduction system; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Prevention and actions; Propylamines - adverse effects; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Short Report; Stimulants; Teenagers; Toxicity: cardiovascular system; Human; Heart; Pediatrics; Psychotropic; Catecholamine; Reuptake inhibitor; Electrodiagnosis; Atomoxetine; Neurotransmitter; Secondary effect; Electrocardiography; Norepinephrine; Circulatory system; Child; Public health
• ISSN: 0003-9888; 1468-2044
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.2005.087460

Atomoxetine is a potent inhibitor of the presynaptic norepinephrine transporters, and is the first non-stimulant drug licensed for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). [...]in paediatric trials of atomoxetine, cardiovascular adverse events were rare and not significantly more common than in those receiving placebo. 1 A significant difference between patients treated with atomoxetine and those treated with placebo was detected only for palpitation (3.7% v 0.8%; p=0.037) in the adult study population. 1 At clinically relevant doses, atomoxetine has been shown to have no effect on cardiac repolarisation, as measured by the QTc interval, and has been recommended for safe use in children and adolescents. 1 We describe a patient with atomoxetine-induced cardiac repolarisation changes associated with palpitations, which led to discontinuation of the drug.