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Effects of Strattera

Strattera, also called atomoxetine, is a non-stimulant drug manufactured by Eli Lilly and Company. This drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in teens and adults. Strattera has proved helpful in eliminating many of the symptoms of ADHD, but the drug is not without serious side effects.

  1. About Strattera

    • Strattera was originally formulated as a treatment for depression; subsequent trials for the drug showed that Strattera was not effective for this purpose, but that it did work for ADHD. Strattera works by blocking the brain's re-uptake of norepinephrine. This allows the brain to better control impulses. Strattera has to be taken once a day to be effective; unlike some other ADHD medications, Strattera users feel the benefits of the medicine all day.

    Positive Effects

    • Strattera has been a common prescription for ADHD because it has shown to be effective at eliminating or reducing several of ADHD's main symptoms. Symptoms of ADHD include hyperactivity and restlessness as well as an inability to focus. Many people prefer Strattera because unlike other ADHD drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall it is not a stimulant. Strattera does not create dependency; users can stop taking Strattera without tapering down their dosage.

    Negative Side Effects

    • The manufacturer of Strattera warns that the drug has been shown to cause an increase of suicidal thoughts in children and teenagers. Though this side effect is rare, it did occur in four out of 1,000 test patients in one of the manufacturer's trials, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration psychiatric drug unit head Dr. Thomas Laughren. Strattera can also cause liver damage in some patients. More frequent side effects include loss of sexual desire, constipation, insomnia, a diminished appetite and nausea. Additionally, some patients have complained about dizziness, heightened menstrual cramps and dry mouth. Consult with your doctor and check the manufacturer's website for other possible adverse effects.

    Warnings

    • Strattera is approved for use in people over the age of 6; it has not been tested on younger children. Patients who are bipolar, have a family history of bipolar disorder or who have suicidal thoughts should not begin taking Strattera. People with preexisting heart conditions -- or those who have heart diseases in their family medical history -- must talk with a doctor before taking Strattera and should monitor their condition carefully while taking the drug. People taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, people with narrow angle glaucoma and people with pheocromocydata should not take Strattera.

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