For ADHD, Strattera often doesn’t work as well as Ritalin and other stimulant drugs. But your doctor might prescribe it for certain reasons, such as if a stimulant medicine doesn’t help your symptoms enough or stimulants cause side effects you can’t handle. If used for a long time, Strattera may affect a child’s growth rate, weight, and final adult height.
Ritalin vs. Strattera
Call your healthcare provider right away if you cannot empty your bladder. As noted above, parents must be vigilant for any worrying change in mood, behavior, or personality if their child has been prescribed Strattera. A possible side effect of Strattera is urinary retention, which can actually be an advantage for children who have enuresis (problems with bedwetting). A disadvantage is that Strattera takes 3-4 weeks of continued use to become fully effective.
During postmarketing, there have been fatalities reported involving a mixed ingestion overdose of STRATTERA and at least one other drug. There have been no reports of death involving overdose of STRATTERA alone, including intentional overdoses at amounts up to 1400 mg. In some cases of overdose involving STRATTERA, seizures have been reported. The most commonly reported symptoms accompanying acute and chronic overdoses of STRATTERA were gastrointestinal symptoms, somnolence, dizziness, tremor, and abnormal behavior. Signs and symptoms consistent with mild to moderate sympathetic nervous system activation (e.g., tachycardia, blood pressure increased, mydriasis, dry mouth) have also been observed.
Strattera side effects
The effects of Strattera on children under 6 and on the elderly have not been studied. By clicking REVIEW MY CASE, you agree to our privacy policy and disclaimer. After submitting, you will be contacted by one or more of Drugwatch’s trusted legal partners (including autodialed and prerecorded calls or text/SMS messages). Your consent to text messaging is not required for a case review and you may opt out of text messages at any time by texting STOP. Although these are the common side effects, this is not a complete list. The information on Drugwatch.com has been medically and legally reviewed by more than 30 expert contributors, including doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, patient advocates and other health care professionals.
More About Drugs and Medications
Do not share your Strattera prescription with anyone, even another person with ADHD. Sharing prescription medication is illegal, and can cause harm. If side effects are bothersome, or do not go away, talk to your doctor.
Are non-stimulant ADHD medications addictive?
Once therapeutic levels have been reached, the effects of the medication last 24 hours. Because stimulants are known for their efficacy in the treatment of ADHD, Adderall is considered a first-line treatment. While second-line treatments such as Strattera may be less effective, they can still be helpful for relieving symptoms.
- The parents or guardians of pediatric patients taking STRATTERA and adult patients taking STRATTERA should be instructed that priapism requires prompt medical attention see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS.
- Both drugs improve attention span and decrease hyperactivity and impulsiveness; however, the medications are very different.
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- Approximately one-third of the patients met DSM-IV criteria for inattentive subtype and two-thirds met criteria for both inattentive and hyperactive/impulsive subtypes.
- The heart rate effects could be clinically important in some PM patients.
- Unlike stimulants, which can be habit-forming, Strattera has a very low risk of misuse or abuse potential, making it an suitable option for patients with a history of misusing substances, says Dr. Zand.
Severe Cardiovascular Disorders
- For PMs, AUC of atomoxetine is approximately 10-fold and Css, max is about 5-fold greater than Ems.
- Many doctors determine the correct dose of Strattera using titration, which measures benefits against side effects.
- Atomoxetine did not affect the binding of warfarin, acetylsalicylic acid, phenytoin, or diazepam to human albumin.
- Therefore, it may be a better choice for people with symptoms of ADHD as well as depression.
- No dose adjustment is recommended for drugs metabolized by CYP2D6.
- Strattera is FDA approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults as well as children ages 6 years and older.
- Do not take atomoxetine if you have pheochromocytoma or a history of the condition.
Generic versions often cost less than brand-name versions. Do not take Ritalin or Strattera with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or within 14 days of stopping MAOIs. You may have more uncontrolled body movements (extrapyramidal symptoms, or EPS) if you take both drugs and need to raise or lower your dose of either. Your blood pressure medicine may not work as well when you take Ritalin.
The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved or otherwise endorsed by our advertisers. Adults who consistently experience ADHD symptoms like difficulty focusing on work or maintaining concentration may also want to ask their health care provider about Strattera. Adverse reactions of Strattera may include nausea and fatigue, decreased appetite and drowsiness, according to the U.S.
Comparative Effectiveness
Some cases presented with features resembling neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Such reactions may occur when these drugs are given is stratera a stimulant concurrently or in close proximity see DRUG INTERACTIONS . The pharmacokinetics of atomoxetine in children and adolescents are similar to those in adults. The safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of STRATTERA in pediatric patients less than 6 years of age have not been evaluated. Poor metabolizers (PMs) of CYP2D6 have a 10-fold higher AUC and a 5-fold higher peak concentration to a given dose of STRATTERA compared with extensive metabolizers (EMs). The blood levels in PMs are similar to those attained by taking strong inhibitors of CYP2D6.
Strattera and Adderall come in a few different forms and dosage options. You should also not take Adderall if you have cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism, or a history of substance use. Do not share atomoxetine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. Atomoxetine may cause an unwanted erection that is persistent, painful, and may occur without sexual arousal. Permanent damage to the penis may occur if priapism is not treated quickly. Stop taking atomoxetine and get emergency help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of priapism.
It isn’t fully understood how Strattera works to treat ADHD. Strattera belongs to a class of drugs called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of drugs traditionally used to treat depression, but are also used for certain other conditions. Taking Strattera with an MAOI can cause serious side effects that may, in rare cases, be fatal. Possible side effects can include an extremely high body temperature and stiff muscles.