Structural determination of the stable and meta-stable forms of atomoxetine HCl using single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction methods

Strattera™ is the first FDA-approved nonstimulant medication for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents, and adults. Two polymorphic forms and an amorphous form of the active pharmaceutical ingredient, atomoxetine HCl, were discovered during drug development. The thermodynamically stable polymorphic form was selected for the commercial product. The stable form readily grows as crystals suitable for single crystal diffraction. The meta-stable crystal form is isolated by rapid crystallization, providing crystals that are too small for routine single crystal methods; consequently its structure was determined by X-ray powder diffraction.