Strattera has an FDA warning for increased risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents. If your child is taking this medication, reach out to their doctor right away if you notice any concerning changes in their behavior. For the best results, you should discuss different treatment options with your doctor, including your preferences and expectations.
Call your doctor immediately if you or your child experiences warning signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking Strattera. For updated information about dosages, interactions, and precautions, see the Strattera drug monograph on WebMD. Use of this website neither creates a physician-patient relationship with us nor creates any duty for us to provide medical services. Clonidine and Guanfacine are also used to help children with tics, aggression and sleep problems. Generally, these side effects are not severe, and only a very small percentage of clinical trial participants stopped Strattera due to side effects. Non-pharmacological interventions are also an area of active research.
But, it is thought to help reduce symptoms of ADHD by increasing the norepinephrine levels in the brain. The most commonly prescribed antidepressant for ADHD is the NDRI bupropion (Wellbutrin), which slows the reabsorption of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. Guanfacine is another blood pressure medicine (central alpha 2A-adrenergic receptor agonist) commonly prescribed to adults.
Strattera works by changing the way the brain absorbs a chemical called norepinephrine. A disadvantage is that Strattera takes 3-4 weeks of continued use to become fully effective. As a result, some patients give up before one month because it doesn’t seem to work. Experts recommend that children be started at a low dose, before working up to full strength, to avoid initial tiredness. Records of the care you receive from Charlie Health will be shared with your primary care provider (PCP) via an electronic patient record system or provided in a different manner unless you opt out.
A subsequent 6-week trial of 40 children (28 boys and 12 girls) looked at the effectiveness of amantadine compared with methylphenidate. The findings showed similar efficacy between the two drugs, and any differences were considered nonsignificant. Amantadine (Symmetrel) was originally approved in 1976 as an antiviral drug, though it’s no longer used for this purpose. Due to its dopamine-enhancing effects, an extended-release formulation was recently approved for treating dyskinesia in people with Parkinson’s disease.
Strattera for Adult ADHD
Like the stimulant drugs, Strattera is effective in treating and controlling ADHD symptoms, but it is not a controlled substance and people are less likely to abuse the drug or become dependant on it. In conclusion, Strattera represents a significant advancement in ADHD treatment, offering a non-stimulant option that can be effective for many individuals. Its unique mechanism of action, consistent 24-hour coverage, and lower abuse potential make it a valuable tool in the ADHD treatment arsenal. However, like all medications, its effectiveness can vary, and it’s not without potential side effects.
If you have ADHD and are interested in alternatives to stimulants, you can talk with your doctor about your options. Nonstimulants range from those developed specifically for ADHD to antidepressants and other off-label prescriptions. Antidepressants may also be prescribed alongside a stimulant to help with comorbid depressive symptoms.
Side Effects of Antidepressants
Digital therapeutics, neurofeedback, and transcranial magnetic stimulation are among the emerging technologies being studied for their potential in ADHD management. Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. The medicine from inside the capsule can be dangerous if it gets in your eyes. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to safely handle and dispose of a broken capsule. Get your prescription refilled before you run out of medicine completely.
It’s estimated that between 55 and 60 percent of kids who try an alpha agonist medication find it helpful. It takes 2 to 4 weeks to see maximum benefit from these medications. Viloxazine has not been compared head-to-head either with stimulants or with atomoxetine, so it’s too early to compare effectiveness, Dr. Taskiran notes. Preliminary data suggests that it may take effect sooner than Atomoxetine, beginning at 2–4 weeks, which could be an advantage.
ADHD Medications: Comparison Chart of Stimulants & Non-Stimulants
Unlike its stimulant counterparts, such as Adderall or Ritalin, Strattera works through a different mechanism in the brain. This unique approach sets it apart in the landscape of ADHD treatments and offers an alternative for those who may not respond well to or prefer to avoid stimulant medications. Shattering misconceptions and navigating the neurochemical labyrinth of ADHD, one unassuming pill emerges as a game-changer in the realm of attention-deficit treatments.
Sometimes the immediate release version (Catapres) is also prescribed off-label for ADHD. Stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall), are considered the first-line treatments for ADHD. The same goes for the side effect profile—an ADHD medication may cause severe side effects in one individual but be well tolerated by another. Atomoxetine is the active ingredient in the non-stimulant ADHD medication sold under the brand name Strattera.
But they were reclassified as what is called alpha agonists because they stimulate specific receptors in the brain to trigger the release of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Atomoxetine has a warning on it that it may, in a very small number of cases, have some potential for causing suicidal thoughts in the first few weeks of treatment. Atomoxetine may be helpful in the treatment of children who have both ADHD and anxiety, since stimulants may worsen anxiety symptoms. Side effects are generally mild but can include decreased appetite, upset stomach, nausea or vomiting, tiredness, problems sleeping, and dizziness.
Keep in mind that you or your child may need a combination of medication, skills training, and behavioral therapies for the most effective ADHD treatment. A doctor must issue a prescription every month for the medication to be dispensed by the pharmacy. The prescription for a non-stimulant ADHD medication such as Strattera can be called into the pharmacy for more than a 30-day supply at a time. One pro of taking Strattera to treat ADHD is it does not cause many of the common side effects seen with psychostimulants, such as insomnia, dependence, or withdrawal.
A possible side effect of Strattera is urinary retention, which can actually be an advantage for children who have enuresis (problems with bedwetting). If you’ve been prescribed Strattera to treat ADHD, you may be looking to compare the pros and cons. Below is a chart detailing the different factors of this medication.
Strattera vs Adderall for ADHD
This makes sense given that a higher concentration of the drug is more likely to cause side effects (e.g., taking 40mg at once as compared with 20mg in the morning and 20 mg in the afternoon). If a patient experiences severe side effects, a clinician may want to consider giving them a lower dose. When this happens, one possibility is that the patient happens to be a slow metabolizer. So whereas someone who metabolizes Strattera rapidly may need a higher dose to see results, another individual may see results with a lower dose, which is also easier for their body to tolerate. There’s no way to know where you fall on the spectrum, so expect to go through a trial period in the beginning of treatment.
In ADHD+-
If your child was diagnosed with ADHD, check out our blog on what to do next. ADHD medications come in short-acting (effective for about 4 hours), intermediate-acting (effective for up to 8 hours) and long-acting (effective for up to 24 hours) forms. Common long-acting non-stimulant meds include Strattera (generic name atomoxetine), Intuniv (generic name guanfacine) and Kapvay (generic name clonidine). One challenge is that some side effects are reduced and others are increased given different dosing.
Who Can Prescribe ADHD Medication? A Comprehensive Guide for Adults…
- According to information provided by the drug’s manufacturers, it can take four to eight weeks for Strattera to reach the maximum therapeutic effect.
- It’s important to note that some individuals may confuse Strattera with similarly named medications.
- Store Strattera in a secure place out of the reach of children, and at room temperature.
- Antidepressants have the advantage of having a low potential for abuse and there is no evidence that they suppress growth or contribute to significant weight loss.
- Get exclusive updates on our care services and resources to support children’s mental health.
Tell your strattera non stimulant doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking Strattera. If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of the active ingredient atomoxetine on the baby. This medicine may cause new or worsening psychosis (unusual thoughts or behavior), especially if you have a history of depression, mental illness, or bipolar disorder.
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This is different than some other medications used to treat ADHD, including stimulants like Adderall. Strattera must be administered daily, preferably around the same time, to reach appropriate levels in the bloodstream. Effective treatments are available to help you navigate daily life with more ease if you receive an ADHD diagnosis. Whether you’re considering ADHD medication for the first time or reevaluating your current treatment plan, working with a healthcare provider can help you find an approach that fits your unique needs.