All About Strattera

What is Strattera used for?

Strattera is used to treat ADHD in adults and children ages 6 years and older.

ADHD is a mental health condition that causes impulsive behaviors and excessive hyperactivity. Both children and adults can have ADHD. It may cause symptoms such as trouble sitting still, difficulty focusing on tasks, and changes in energy levels. Symptoms differ based on aspects of ADHD you experience, such as difficulty focusing, hyperactivity, or impulsivity.

How does Strattera work for ADHD?

How a drug works is referred to as its mechanism of action. Strattera’s mechanism of action for treating ADHD isn’t fully understood. However, it’s thought that the drug increases the level of a neurotransmitter called norepinephrine in your brain. It’s thought this action may ease symptoms of ADHD.

What are Strattera’s side effects?

Like most drugs, Strattera may cause mild to serious side effects. The lists below contain some of the more common side effects Strattera may cause, but they don’t include all possible side effects.

Keep in mind that side effects of a drug can depend on:

• your age
• other health conditions you have
• other medications you take

Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you more about the potential side effects of Strattera. They can also suggest ways to help reduce side effects.

Mild side effects

Here’s a list of some of the mild side effects that Strattera can cause. To learn about other mild side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or read Strattera’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects of Strattera that have been reported include:

• abdominal pain
• appetite loss
• constipation
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• urinary hesitation
• fatigue
• insomnia or drowsiness
• nausea and vomiting
• mild weight loss in children (this side effect was not reported in adults)

Mild side effects of many drugs may go away within a few days to a couple of weeks. But if they become bothersome, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects from Strattera can occur, but they’re not common. If you have serious side effects from Strattera, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects of Strattera that have been reported include:

• liver damage
• increased blood pressure
• increased heart rate
• mental health side effects, including:
  • acting hostile or aggressive
  • mania
  • psychosis
• orthostatic hypotension and syncope (fainting)
• priapism
• slowed growth in children
• urinary retention
• boxed warning: risk of suicidal thoughts in children*

* For more information, see the “What should be considered before taking Strattera?” section.

ALLERGIC REACTION

For some people, Strattera can cause an allergic reaction.

In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Strattera.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Strattera, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

What is Strattera’s dosage?

Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Strattera that’s right for you. Below are commonly used dosages, but always take the dosage your doctor prescribes.

Form and strengths

Strattera is available as an oral capsule in the following strengths:

• 10 milligrams (mg)
• 18 mg
• 25 mg
• 40 mg
• 60 mg
• 80 mg
• 100 mg

Recommended dosages

In adults and children weighing more than 70 kilograms (kg), or about 154 pounds, the recommended starting Strattera dosage is 40 mg taken once per day in the morning. After at least 3 days, your doctor may increase your dosage to 80 mg, taken either once daily in the morning or split into 40 mg taken twice daily.

For children who weigh 70 kg or less, the recommended starting dose is 0.5 mg per kg body weight (mg/kg) taken once per day. After at least 3 days, your child’s doctor may increase the dose to 1.2 to 1.4 mg/kg per day. This may be given as one daily dose, or split evenly into two doses.

For example, in a child weighing 30 kg (about 66 pounds), the starting dose may be 15 mg. Since Strattera doesn’t come in a 15-mg strength, the doctor will round down to 10 mg or up to 18 mg for your child’s starting dose.

To learn more, see this Strattera dosage article.

Questions about taking Strattera

Below are some common questions about taking Strattera.

• Can Strattera be chewed, crushed, or split? No, you shouldn’t chew, crush, or split Strattera capsules. You also shouldn’t open the capsules. You should swallow them whole. If you have trouble doing so, you can get tips on how to swallow pills or ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
• Should I take Strattera with food? Strattera can be taken with or without food.
• Is there a best time of day to take Strattera? If you take Strattera as one daily dose, you should take your dose in the morning. If you take Strattera twice per day, you should take your first dose in the morning and the second dose in the late afternoon or early evening.
• What if I miss a dose of Strattera? If you miss a dose of Strattera, take it as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time to take your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at its usual time. You should not take two doses at once to make up for a missed dose. Doing so could raise your risk of side effects.
• Will I need to use Strattera long term? Strattera is typically used as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
• How long does Strattera take to work? Strattera begins working after you take your first dose. It may take at least 2 to 4 weeks after starting Strattera treatment before you notice an improvement in your ADHD symptoms.

Overdose

Do not take more Strattera than your doctor prescribes, as this can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of overdose

Symptoms caused by an overdose can include:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• muscle tremor
• agitation
• high blood pressure
• dry mouth
• feeling disorientated
• hallucinations
• long QT syndrome

What to do in case you take too much Strattera

Call your doctor if you think you’ve taken too much Strattera. You can also call 800-222-1222 to reach America’s Poison Centers or use its online resource. But if you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

What should be considered before taking Strattera?

Below is important information you should consider before taking Strattera.

Interactions

Taking a drug with certain medications, vaccines, foods, and other things can affect how the drug works. These effects are called interactions. Strattera can interact with several other medications.

Before starting Strattera treatment, talk with your doctor and pharmacist. Tell them about all prescription, over-the-counter, and other drugs you take. Also, tell them about any vitamins, herbs, and supplements you take. Sharing this information can help you avoid potential interactions.

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

For more information, see this Strattera interactions article.

Drug interactions

Below is a list of medications that can interact with Strattera. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with Strattera. If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Strattera and alcohol

Alcohol is not known to interact with Strattera. Talk with your doctor to determine whether it’s safe for you to consume alcohol during Strattera treatment.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Strattera during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant or to breastfeed, talk with your doctor before starting Strattera treatment.

If you and your doctor agree you’ll take Strattera during pregnancy, consider joining the ADHD medication pregnancy registry. This study helps determine the safety of using medications like Strattera while pregnant. You can learn more by visiting the registry website or by calling 866-961-2388.

Boxed warning

Strattera has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about drug effects that may be dangerous.

Risk of suicidal thoughts in children: In short-term studies, Strattera increased the risk of suicidal thoughts (also called suicidal ideations) in children. It doesn’t appear that this risk applies to adults taking Strattera. This side effect was very rare in studies, and no suicides were observed. It’s important to note that mental health conditions, such as depression, often occur with ADHD, and these conditions can raise the risk of suicidal thoughts. Strattera is not approved for treating depression and should not be used in place of approved treatments for depression.

In studies, this risk was only noted during the first month of treatment. When your child first begins treatment with Strattera, closely monitor their behaviors and mood. Immediately report new or unusual behaviors, such as excessive agitation or irritability, to your child’s doctor.

Other warnings

Strattera can sometimes cause harmful effects in people who have certain conditions. This is known as a drug-condition interaction. Other factors may also affect whether Strattera is a good treatment option for you.

Talk with your doctor about your health history before you take Strattera. Be sure to tell them if any of the following factors apply to you:

• heart or blood vessel condition, such as arrhythmia, high blood pressure, or cardiomyopathy
• liver condition, such as cirrhosis
• mental health condition, such as depression or bipolar disorder
• narrow angle glaucoma
• pheochromocytoma
• urinary retention
• previous allergic reaction to Strattera
• pregnancy
• breastfeeding

What are some frequently asked questions about Strattera?

Find answers to some commonly asked questions about Strattera.

What should I know about Strattera vs. Adderall?

Strattera and Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) are both prescribed to treat ADHD in adults and certain children. Unlike Adderall, Strattera is not a stimulant. And Strattera is only available as immediate-release capsules. On the other hand, Adderall is available in both immediate-release tablets and as an extended-release capsule called Adderall XR. “Extended-release” means the drug is slowly released from the capsule into your body over time, allowing for once-daily dosing.

Your doctor or pharmacist can answer questions you have about how Strattera and Adderall compare.

Is Strattera similar to Qelbree?

Strattera and Qelbree (viloxazine) are both prescribed to treat ADHD in adults and certain children. They belong to the same medication class, called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. And neither Strattera nor Qelbree are stimulants or controlled substances.

However, both medications have a boxed warning, although it varies slightly. Strattera has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts in children. Qelbree, on the other hand, has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviors in both adults and children.

If you’d like to learn more about how Strattera and Qelbree compare, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

How does Strattera compare with Wellbutrin?

Strattera and Wellbutrin are medications approved for different uses. Strattera is approved to treat ADHD in adults and certain children. Wellbutrin, on the other hand, is approved to treat depression and seasonal affective disorder.

However, Wellbutrin is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat ADHD in adults. “Off-label” use refers to prescribing a medication for a condition other than its FDA-approved uses.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’d like to learn more about Strattera or Wellbutrin, including off-label uses.

Is Strattera a controlled substance?

No, Strattera is not a controlled substances. This is one way Strattera is different from certain other ADHD treatments, such as Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate).

A controlled substance is a drug regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to help prevent misuse. Controlled substances have varying potential for misuse as well as psychological and physical dependence. “Misuse” refers to using a medication in a way other than how it’s prescribed, such as to feel high. Continually misusing a medication can lead to substance use disorder (also called drug abuse).

Notably, Strattera did not cause withdrawal in studies. And it appears not to have addiction or misuse potential.

What should I know about Strattera vs. Vyvanse?

Strattera and Vyvanse are both used to treat ADHD in adults and certain children. The drugs both come as an oral capsule. Vyvanse is also available as a chewable tablet, while Strattera does not come in this form.

To learn more, see this Strattera vs. Vyvanse comparison article.

Strattera cost and coupons

Whether you have health insurance or not, cost may be a factor when you’re considering Strattera. What you’ll pay for Strattera may depend on several things, such as your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.

Here are a few things to consider regarding cost:

• Cost information and savings coupons: You can visit Optum Perks to get price estimates of what you’d pay for Strattera when using coupons from the site. See the coupon options below. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)
• Generic form: Strattera is available as the generic drug atomoxetine. Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. Talk with your doctor if you’d like to know whether generic atomoxetine could be an option for you.

Learn more about saving on your prescriptions.