Food & Strattera

Strattera's side effects are generally mild, but many of them involve food and eating. Your diet can also have minor effects on the way Strattera interacts with your body. Whether you're concerned about how Strattera will affect your relationship with food or how food will affect your experience with Strattera, you can adjust your dosage, your diet and your routine to find a balance that works for you.

Strattera's Digestive Side Effects

• Drugs.com includes nausea, constipation, mild stomach pain and vomiting on its list of Strattera's common side effects. Talk to your doctor if you're experiencing any of these digestive issues after taking Strattera. You may also be able to find relief through over-the-counter stomach aids.

Taking Strattera with Food

• Many medications come with specific instructions to take with food, before or after meals, or on an empty stomach, but Strattera does not. You can take it with or without food, at any time of the day, without decreasing its effectiveness. It's convenient not to have to plan your eating schedule around your daily Strattera dose, but that doesn't mean you can't experiment with taking Strattera with or without food.

  Many patients find that changes to the way they combine Strattera with food can alter the drug's digestive side effects. For example, those who become constipated after taking Strattera on an empty stomach may find that the problem goes away when they begin taking the medication with a small meal. Patients who feel nauseous after taking Strattera with food may experience less nausea when they take it between meals instead. Strattera affects everyone's digestive system a little bit differently under different conditions, so experiment with Strattera and food to see if you can find the routine that will make you the most comfortable.

Strattera and Appetite

• Another common side effect of Strattera is decreased appetite. If you are eating less on Strattera and are concerned about how it's affecting your energy level, weight or general health, talk to your doctor. One of the best strategies for dealing with a drastically reduced appetite is to schedule and observe regular mealtimes. Stocking up on your favorite foods will also make it easier for you to eat regularly when you don't feel hungry. Foods that are especially rich in protein, good carbohydrates and fatty acids will ensure that you get the maximum energy and health benefits from your meals when you are able to eat.

Strattera and the Sense of Taste

• Strattera users have occasionally reported an altered sense of taste or an inability to taste food as a result of taking the drug. This is rare and has not occurred often enough to be statistically significant, which is why you won't see it officially listed among Strattera's more common side effects. However, it's possible that Strattera could affect the way you enjoy food by altering your sense of taste. Should that happen, talk to your doctor; it may be possible to combat by altering your dose or taking other measures.

Strattera Withdrawal and Food

• The decision to go off Strattera may also affect your relationship with food. Indigestion and an altered sense of taste are two possible food-related side effects of Strattera withdrawal, according to Physician's Resource. Also, just as Strattera may decrease the appetite, many patients experience an increased appetite while withdrawing from it.