This medicine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD). This medicine is available in a capsule and is taken orally. Top of page
General Information
This information is for educational purposes only. Not every known side effect, adverse effect, or drug interaction is in this database. If you have questions about your medicines, talk to your healthcare provider.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Read the patient leaflet that comes with this medicine. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist any questions that you may have about this medicine. This medicine may be taken on an empty stomach or with food. This medicine is usually taken either as a single dose in the morning or divided into two doses in the morning and late afternoon or early evening; or as directed by your doctor. Top of page
Missed Dose
Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double doses. Top of page
Storage
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Top of page
Possible Side Effects
nausea or vomiting
constipation
loss of appetite
dry mouth
drowsiness or lightheadedness
trouble sleeping
changes in menstrual cycle
changes in mood
changes in sexual function
If you experience any of these side effects, contact your doctor as soon as possible:
difficulty urinating
changes in sexual function
Unreported side effects are possible, talk to your healthcare provider if any other symptoms occur.
This medicine may take several weeks to reach it full effect.
Do NOT drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that may be hazardous until you know how this medicine will affect you.
Alcoholic beverages can increase the effects of this medicine and should be avoided.
This medicine may affect growth in children.
Do NOT increase your dose of this medicine without first talking to your doctor, even if you feel that the medicine is not working.
This medicine can increase the risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in some children and teens. Parents of children taking antidepressants should watch for signs of worsening depression or unusual changes in behavior.
Seek medical attention immediately. U.S. residents can call the national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Top of page
Drug Interactions
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other medicines that you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products.
If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. It is UNKNOWN if this medicine is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pediatrician to discuss any risks to your baby. Top of page
More Information
Antidepressant medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including depression and other mental/mood disorders. These medications can help prevent suicidal thoughts/attempts and provide other benefits. However, studies have shown that a small number of people (especially children/teenages) who take antidepressants for any condition may experience worsening depression, other mental/mood symptoms, or suicidal thoughts/attempts. Therefore, it is very important to talk with a doctor about the risks and benefits of antidepressant medication, even if the treatment is not for a mental condition. Tell your doctor immediatley if you notice worsening depression, unusual behavior changes, (including possible suicidal thoughts/attempts), or other mental/mood changes. Be especially watchful for these symptoms when a new antidepressant is started or when the dose is changed. Top of page
This information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This is general information and should not in any event be construed as specific instructions for individual patients. The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. The reader is advised to check with their health care provider before making any changes in their drug regimen.
Last reviewed:
On 8 Aug 2006
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
Registered: August 2006 Location: New England Posts: 13
Review Date: Mon September 11, 2006
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 7
Pros:
it didn't make me wired/hyper like some ADD meds can
Cons:
nausea, loss of appetite, didn't work well enough
I tried Strattera for 2 months for adult ADD. I liked the fact that it did not make me hyper the way some ADD meds can, but it caused a loss of appetite and weight loss, and it did not work well enough on my ADD symptoms. I think it's a good medication, it just wasn't the right one for me.
graydove New Member
Registered: January 2007 Location: Oregon Posts: 2
Review Date: Fri January 5, 2007
Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 2
Pros:
help to think clearer for a time
Cons:
GERD, Nausea, mild aggitation
This medication may do well for some, but not for me. First off it is way too expensive. Second it caused me extreme GERD. My Psychiatrist had decided to try this medication on me because I was in a major depressive Episode and just couldn’t even think clear enough to concentrate in the classes I was taking. It did help me to think clearer and to concentrate. I did manage to finish the classes. Thankfully but, this med is defiantly not for me.
Blessings Graydove
mamakitty Newly Joined
Registered: May 2007
Review Date: Sun July 22, 2007
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 8
Pros:
keeps my ADD symptoms at least stabilized, no anxiety side effects
Cons:
a little expensive, and some insurances make a big deal if you are over 18 (they assume only kids have ADD!)
I'm an adult, and have lived with ADD all my life. I had to go without medication treatment because of stimulant affects on my anxiety, until Strattera came along. This med does not work as strongly as the stimulant ones, but it at least allows me to work and have a mostly normal life now! I still have trouble sticking to a schedule, but I think that might be a combination of other problems I have like OCD, bipolar, and anxiety. Overall, I think Strattera is probably one of the safest options for adult ADD sufferers who can't handle the side effects of the stimulant meds.
gionnetto Newly Joined
Registered: August 2007
Review Date: Fri August 10, 2007
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: $4.00| Rating: 10
Pros:
it doesn't work on hyperactivity, effect doesn't fade, works on mood swing, doesn't take your motivation away
Cons:
price
I'm diagnosed with adult ADHD-C and bipolar 1. I'm on 65 mg of Strattera (my weight is 110 lbs) and 800 mg of Tegretol XR. Strattera gave me focus and clarity without taking hyperactivity and drive away. It slowed down my thoughts without killing them (I actually have experiences pauses between one thought and another for the first time in my life) and took my feelings of being constantly overwhelmed away. I rarely rage anymore and I start feeling like going to bed at 9-10 pm like normal people. I had no side effects except some mild stomachache and some problem starting urinating. Sleep is lighter but I have no problem falling asleep (or staying asleep LOL). I do have mild problems with my blood pressure because it went *down* and mine is already very low (usually around 70, Strattera took it to 65). I'd say if you are ADHD-C and like to have energy but want more clarity, give it a try.
Elbarto150 Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
Review Date: Sun November 11, 2007
Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 1
Pros:
None
Cons:
did nothing positive, physical agitation, sleepiness, felt sick
Straterra sucks. After taking it for a little over a month to let the reuptake effect kick in, i had no improvement in attention or depression at all. Makes me feel really ill like i have the flu. Electrical zaps were going through my body the entire time I was on this. Made me feel like I had lost touch with reality. I became really sleepy in general which is odd for something which is meant to improve concentration.
Barbarian Newly Joined
Registered: November 2007
Review Date: Fri November 30, 2007
Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 4
Pros:
When it works, it REALLY works; improves concentration and impulsiveness.
Cons:
Very expensive without insurance; tends to poop out RAPIDLY for some (such as myself); increased sex drive; appetite suppression.
For me, Strattera was a teaser...it worked REALLY WELL in the first week, and then pooped out rather quickly. Anti-ADHD and anti-depressant effects were nonexistent after the first week. But this doesn't mean that other people haven't experienced enduring effects for the better. I'm just saying that I tried it before Adderall, and I must say that it sucked for ADHD.
clgoody Newly Joined
Registered: April 2008
Review Date: Sun April 27, 2008
Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $285.00| Rating: 3
Pros:
Gave slight increase in memory
Cons:
Side effects are beyond annoying...lethargy, fatigue, headaches, tingling scalp, constipation etc
Too many side effects. Pros do not outweigh the cons. I am a 38 yr old female, newly diagnosed, although I have been dealing with this all my life. I guess all meds work for someone, but Strattera isn't the one for me. The side effects are just too prevalent. And now, in addition, I am getting this agitated thing going. The littlest things are making me grumpy and causing me to be rude for no legitimate reason. The benefits of the drug have been few for me. A slight improvement in my ability to remember things. No motivation, but when I do start something I am able to work through it faster. That's about it. Still inattentive, for the most part, and still feeling "lazy" (even though we know it's not laziness).
braxton298 Newly Joined
Registered: May 2009 Posts: 2
Review Date: Mon May 11, 2009
Would you recommend the product? No |
Total Spent: $25.00| Rating: 2
Pros:
no ups and downs like with other ADHD meds, it helps concentration in SOME tasks
Cons:
everything. it made me feel depressed, tired (but i couldn't sleep), vomiting, apathy, severe sexual side-effects, emotional flatline
i started taking this as directed by my doctor at first the 10mg dosage for a week, then 18 the next, then 25 the next, then 40 for 2 more weeks until i decided to stop putting up with the side effects and stop it. as soon as i took the 10mg, i was unable to sleep. entirely. i stayed up for 72 straight hours, but was exhausted the entire time. after i got used to it in my body (as soon as i bumped up to 18) sleeping returned to mostly normal. but then i started experiencing "sudden" nausea. i saw this in the side-effects on the label but didn't understand what it meant until i experienced it. literally, out of the blue, i would vomit. it was terrible. i threw up over myself on multiple occassions. then, i got used to it, and the nausea stopped. time to bump up to 25 mg. then the [male] sexual side effects started. not only was my erection limp, it took forever to (not) ejaculate. i experienced the described "retrograde ejaculation". this is when rather than ejaculation out the penis like normal, it goes backwards into your bladder. this is a painful and terrifying expereince. this side-effect never went away until 2 weeks after stopping the medicine. i bumped up to 40 mg with no new side effects, just the retrograde ejaculation. on the plus side, it was a constant feeling in my body, not like adderall when i can feel it coming and going. also, there was a strange sensation of "wanting" to concentrate on some tasks rather than feeling like i "had" to like on other meds. but it also gave me a sensation of apathy toward life, which actually made me focus on things less. but still, it was so miserable i would advise anyone NOT to try this unless as a last resort. out of concerta, ritalin, adderall and strattera, strattera is my least favorite.
