This could be because when ADHD is being treated safely and effectively, people with the condition are less likely to self-medicate and use non-prescription methods to manage their symptoms. Rare but serious side effects of Strattera include liver toxicity, suicidal thoughts, swelling, and heart problems. Strattera is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, which means it allows the neurotransmitter norepinephrine to be available to the brain’s neurons for longer. This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with atomoxetine.

Maintenance/Extended Treatment

Do not use a capsule that has been opened or accidentally broken. 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.

• Prior to initiating treatment with STRATTERA, screen patients for a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, mania, or hypomania see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS.
• Atomoxetine is well-absorbed after oral administration and is minimally affected by food.
• For information about these interactions, see the “Strattera precautions” section below.
• It may take a few tries to get the medicine and dose right.
• In vitro drug-displacement studies were conducted with atomoxetine and other highly-bound drugs at therapeutic concentrations.
• This could be because when ADHD is being treated safely and effectively, people with the condition are less likely to self-medicate and use non-prescription methods to manage their symptoms.

Strattera: ADHD Medication Resources

Norepinephrine is a chemical messenger that regulates several functions, including attention, cognitive function, and stress. Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others. Let a healthcare provider know if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant before taking Strattera.

Strattera vs. Ritalin: What Is the Difference?

Generic versions of Strattera are also available in the United States, Canada, and other countries. Adderall is a brand name for the combination of drugs dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. In addition to ADHD, Adderall is also approved to treat narcolepsy. Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of atomoxetine.

You should not use this medicine if you have narrow-angle glaucoma, an adrenal gland tumor, heart disease, coronary artery disease, or moderate to severe high blood pressure. Atomoxetine is not a stimulant medication and is not a controlled substance. Adderall (dextroamphetamine and amphetamine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate) treat ADHD symptoms by increasing central nervous system activity.

Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you. Atomoxetine is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. It may work by increasing the natural substance called norepinephrine in the brain. Doctors can choose from a range of drugs, including stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medicines. However, these medications do not affect everyone in the same way. One medication might work better for one person than another.

What Is Strattera? What To Know About The ADHD Medication

If capsule contents accidentally come in contact with your eyes, rinse your eyes with water and seek medical advice right away. If your prescription label is hard to read, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pharmacies offer labels that have large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist may be able to direct you to one that does.

Pulse and blood pressure should be measured at baseline, following STRATTERA dose increases, and periodically while on therapy to detect possible clinically important increases. STRATTERA has not been systematically evaluated in adult patients with a seizure disorder as these patients were excluded from clinical studies during the product’s premarket testing. In the clinical development program, seizures were reported on 0.1% (1/748) of adult patients.

• If you measure your blood pressure and the top number (systolic) is 180 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number (diastolic) is 120 mm Hg or higher, get medical attention right away.
• Before taking Strattera, talk with your doctor and pharmacist.
• Ask them about other medications that may be better options for you.
• Coadministration of STRATTERA (60 mg BID for 12 days) with midazolam, a model compound for CYP3A4 metabolized drugs (single dose of 5 mg), resulted in 15% increase in AUC of midazolam.
• Weight loss wasn’t specifically reported as a side effect in adults in Strattera’s clinical trials.

The dosage chart below summarizes the usual dosages of Strattera in adults. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe is stratera a stimulant the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. If you have questions about other possible side effects of Strattera and how to manage them, talk with your child’s doctor.

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.

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.

Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken. Atomoxetine should not be taken while you are using certain other medicines. Before taking atomoxetine, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking atomoxetine. Call your healthcare provider right away if you or your child has any of the following symptoms of liver damage.