Strattera is the first non-stimulant medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, adolescents, and adults. Strattera is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, a class of ADHD treatment that works differently from the other ADHD medications available. Strattera is available by prescription only.

Strattera does not work effectively until after taking it for three to four weeks. Typically I start at half dose in the first week and increase to full dose in the second week. I use Strattera as a second choice where stimulants are not acceptable or when the patient is intolerant to other medicines. Strattera is not as effective as stimulant medications in treating hyperactivity. I always try to use much lesser dosages than what’s suggested in the package insert from the manufacturer. The reason for this is, some patients only require 50 - 60% of the required dose to achieve effective clinical results. With any medicine, I try to come up with minimal effective dosage ( least amount to obtain clinical effectiveness ) for every patient. This would avoid unnecessary unpleasant side effects. Strangely most of the medicines used for ADD and ADHD are not quite weight or age related but are dependent on the metabolism of the medication in a given patient. ( Dr. Gavini )

Active ingredient: atomoxetine hydrochloride.
Inactive ingredients: pregelatinized starch, dimethicone, gelatin, sodium lauryl sulfate, FD&C
Blue No. 2, synthetic yellow iron oxide, titanium dioxide, red iron oxide, and edible black ink.

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Strattera and ADHD

It is estimated that 2 million children in the United States have ADHD. ADHD symptoms are grouped into 3 patterns of behavior. At home, at school and with family and friends, your child may show signs of being: Inattentive ( trouble paying attention, disorganized, loses things often, trouble starting and finishing tasks, does not listen well ) Impulsive ( speaks out of turn, interrupts, has a hard time waiting ) Hyperactive ( is too active, cannot sit still, talks constantly, is always on the go ).

Prescribing Info / FDA Medication Guide / Saftey Information

Dosage Information / Parent's Guide to Strattera

Strattera ( Freq Asked Questions ) FAQs

To help your body adjust to a new medication, you will initially take a lower dose and then switch to a target dose as directed by your healthcare professional. Once your body has adjusted to Strattera, it can be taken either as a single daily dose in the AM or as evenly divided doses in the morning and late afternoon/early evening as prescribed by your healthcare professional. Strattera can be taken with or without food. Strattera capsules should not be opened; they should be taken whole. Breaking open the capsule can cause eye irritation.

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What should I talk about with the healthcare provider?
Child/Teen: In some children and teens, Strattera increases the risk of suicidal thoughts. A combined analysis of 12 studies of Strattera showed that in children and teens, 4 out of every 1000 patients developed suicidal thoughts, although no suicides occurred. A similar analysis in adults treated with Strattera did not reveal an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Call your doctor right away if your child has thoughts of suicide or sudden changes in mood or behavior, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose.

Child/Teen and Adult: In rare cases, Strattera can cause liver injury. Call your doctor right away if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you have any heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems. Your doctor should check you carefully for heart problems before starting Strattera. Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking Strattera. Rarely, sudden death has been reported in patients who have heart problems or heart defects. There have also been rare reports of stroke and heart attack.

What other important information should I discuss with the healthcare provider?
Child/Teen: Tell your doctor about any family history of bipolar illness (manic-depressive illness) or suicidal thoughts or actions before starting Strattera. Call the doctor right away if your child develops new psychological symptoms such as abnormal thoughts/behaviors and/or extreme elevated or irritable moods while taking Strattera.

Who should not take Strattera?
Child/Teen and Adult: Strattera should not be taken if you:

• Are taking or have taken within the past 14 days an anti-depression
  medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or MAOI
• Have an eye problem called glaucoma
• Are allergic to anything in Strattera
  

Can Strattera be taken with other medicines?
Child/Teen and Adult: Tell your doctor about all the medicines that you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Strattera and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Your doctor will decide whether Strattera can be taken with other medicines.

What are the possible side effects of Strattera?

Child/Teen: The most common side effects in children and teenagers were upset stomach, decreased appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, and mood swings.

Adult: The most common side effects in adults include constipation, dry mouth, nausea, decreased appetite, dizziness, trouble sleeping, sexual side effects, menstrual cramps, and problems passing urine.

Child/Teen and Adult: Other serious side effects include allergic reactions including swelling, hives or other allergic reactions, slowing of growth in children and problems passing urine.

Child/Teen and Adult: Erections that won't go away (priapism) have occurred rarely during treatment with Strattera. If you or your child has an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, seek medical help right away.