Liver Alert on Strattera

Strattera was licensed for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) last year.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned doctors to look out for signs of liver problems in children taking the drug.

However, they stress that the chances of liver damage are very slim.

The Committee on Safety of Medicines, which advises the MHRA, met at the end of January 2005 to review new evidence on the use of the drug, known technically as atomexetine.

This evidence suggests that the drug may very rarely be associated with liver reactions.

Over 2m patients have been treated with the drug in the US, and around 10 000 patients in the UK.

It is estimated that serious liver problems occur in less than 50,000 patients.