Strattera is in a class of medications known as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). People with ADHD take this drug because it reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity and can also help them stay focused. It works by increasing levels of norepinephrine, a substance in the brain that helps control behavior.
In the United States, ADHD diagnoses are on the rise. The most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that 11 percent of children and teens, 4 to 17 years old, had the condition in 2011.
A study published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology in 2013 also found that atomoxetine improves symptoms in children and teens, 10 to 16 years old, who have sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT). Although sluggish cognitive tempo is not a defined childhood disorder, experts suggest that may change in the near future. Like ADHD, symptoms of SCT involve difficulty paying attention and focusing, but rather than being hyperactive or impulsive, children with SCT are typically inactive or underactive.
Eli Lilly and Company manufactures Strattera, which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in 2002. Eli Lilly's patent on the drug is not set to expire until 2016 so generic forms of the drug are not yet available in the United States.
What Are the Key Things I Need to Know About Strattera?
Before taking Strattera, you should be aware of several important warnings:- Children and teenagers with ADHD who take Strattera are more likely to have suicidal thoughts than their peers who do not take the drug. Parents and caregivers should supervise them closely and watch for troubling changes in the child's behavior every day, particularly when treatment begins and when the child's dose of the medication changes. Seek immediate medical attention if a child develops:
- An unusual level of being withdrawn
- Feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, or worthlessness
- New or worsening depression
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
- Extreme worry or agitation
- Panic attacks
- Trouble sleeping
- Aggressive or violent behavior
- Impulsiveness
- Abnormal excitement
- Any other sudden or unusual changes in behavior
Strattera is only one part of an overall ADHD treatment plan. Children and adults need to keep all follow-up doctor visits while taking Strattera and be sure to follow all instructions from the doctor, which may include counseling or special education.
Read the complete FDA warning on Strattera.
Is There Anything Special I Should Discuss With My Doctor Before Taking Strattera?
Strattera may cause side effects and can also interfere with many medications. Adults or children who have certain medical conditions should take Strattera with caution. Always tell the doctor if the person taking the drug has allergies to any medications and discuss all the risks and benefits of Strattera.Adults should let their doctor know if they have a form of glaucoma, called narrow angle glaucoma. Doctor should also know if the person taking Strattera has ever had seizures.
Strattera can cause liver injury in some people who take it. Tell the doctor about any history of liver disease or pheochromocytoma, a tumor on a small gland near the kidneys.
People who have a heart condition or are at high risk for a heart condition may not be good candidates for Strattera. The doctor for adults or children taking the drug should know if anyone in their families ever died suddenly or if any relatives have an irregular heartbeat. Doctors should be told about any heart-related problems in children or adults being considered for Strattera, including:
- Heart attack
- Heart defect
- High blood pressure
- An irregular heartbeat
- Hardening of the arteries
- Heart or blood vessel disease
If you're a woman, be sure to tell your doctor if you're pregnant or may become pregnant. Your doctor also needs to know if you're breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. There's not enough evidence to know whether Strattera is safe to take during pregnancy. The drug may also pass into breast milk, so nursing women should carefully weigh the risks and benefits of treatment with this drug.
Strattera Side Effects
What Are the Most Common and Serious Side Effects of Strattera?
Common side effects of Strattera include:- Heartburn
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Stomach pain
- Gas
- Dry mouth
- Being overly tired
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Mood swings
- Low sex drive or other sexual problems
- Trouble urinating
- Painful or irregular menstrual periods
- Muscle pain
- Sweating
- Hot flashes
- Strange dreams
- Burning or tingling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs
- Fast or pounding heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Trouble speaking
- Dizziness or faintness
- Weakness or numbness of an arm or leg
- Itchy skin
- Dark urine
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Unexplained flu-like symptoms
- Pain in the upper right part of the belly
- Swelling in the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- Hoarseness
- Trouble swallowing or breathing
- Rash or hives
- Abnormal thoughts
- Hallucination (seeing things or hearing voices that do not exist)
- Erection that lasts for several hours or longer
- Seizures
Strattera Interactions
Do Other Drugs Affect the Way Strattera Works?
Many drugs may affect the way Strattera works. Strattera could also interfere with other medications. It's very important to let your doctor know about everything you are taking, including illegal drugs as well as any over-the-counter drugs, herbs, and dietary supplements.Types of drugs that interact with Strattera include:
- Drugs used to treat depression, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), clomipramine (Anafranil), and fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem) as well as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) like isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar)
- Drugs used to treat anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, including sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil)
- Medication used to treat asthma or breathing problems, including albuterol syrup or tablets (Proventil, Ventolin) and metaproterenol syrup or tablets
- Certain heart drugs, including amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) and quinidine
- An antihistamine in cold medications, chlorpheniramine
- Heartburn or ulcer drugs, such as cimetidine (Tagamet) and metoclopramide (Reglan)
- Drugs used to treat mental illness, such as haloperidol (Haldol)
- Pain medications, such as methadone (Dolophine)
- The HIV drug ritonavir (Norvir)
Should I Avoid Any Food, Drink, or Activity While Taking Strattera?
Strattera can lead to drowsiness and also cause dizziness or make you lightheaded. That's why it's important to not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Also, don't stand up too quickly after you've been lying down.Strattera Dosage
What Is a Typical Dose of Strattera?
Strattera is a capsule that you take by mouth, usually once or twice a day either with or without food. It's important to take it at about the same time every day.Take Strattera whole. Don't open, chew, or crush the drug. If the capsules accidentally break, make sure you wash away the loose powder. Try not to get any of the powder in your eyes, but if you do, rinse them with water and call your doctor right away.
Your doctor will probably prescribe a low dose of Strattera at first, but may increase it after at least three days. Although your symptoms may begin to improve in the first few days, it can take up to four weeks to get the full benefit of the medication.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Strattera and Overdose?
Take Strattera exactly as your doctor prescribed.It's unknown whether one dose of more than 120 mg or total daily doses above 150 mg are safe to take.
Symptoms of a Strattera overdose may include:
- Sleepiness
- Agitation
- An unusual increase in activity or talking
- Other abnormal behavior
- Stomach problems
- Wide or dilated pupils
- Fast heartbeat
- Dry mouth
What Happens If I Miss a Dose of Strattera or Don't Take It as Prescribed?
Strattera is not a cure for ADHD. You should continue taking the drug, even if you feel well or have no symptoms. Don't stop taking it without talking to your doctor first.If you miss a dose of Strattera, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it's already close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as scheduled. Don't take two capsules at once to make up for a missed dose.
Strattera Pictures
