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Strattera (Atomoxetine) - Reviews, Ratings, Comments by Patients

 
 



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Below are Strattera (Atomoxetine) reviews, ratings, comments submitted by patients and caregivers. Based on a total of 18 ratings/reviews, Strattera has an overall score of 6.17. The effectiveness score is 7 and the side effect score is 6.56. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. This information is not vetted and should not be cosidered as clinical evidence.
 

Strattera review by 21 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Ineffective
Side effects:   Extremely Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADHD
Dosage & duration:   10mg taken 1/day for the period of 8 days
Other conditions:   IDDM
Other drugs taken:   insulin
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   none
Side effects:   visual disturbances, weight gain, insomnia, anxiety, hyperglycemia, headaches, mild hallucinations, water retention, difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, erratic behaviour. these side effects lasted for several weeks after I stopped taking the medication, and my vision did not return to normal for almost a month. my doctor said it was an anti-cholinergic reaction.
Comments:   i started at a very low dose, to be worked up gradually. treatment ended before this could happen.

 

Strattera review by care giver of 51 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADHD
Dosage & duration:   20 -25 mg taken 1 x day for the period of 2 tears
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Slowed down hyperactivity in a nine year old boy; increased attending a little bit although not strongly. It does not interfere with sleep which many of the stimpulant meds do. There were no mood swings until the dosage was increased.
Side effects:   When the dose was raised, the patient suffered suicidal ideation! This was bad. At lower dose it seemed to be ok. Dosage takes 2-3 weeks to take affect. Side effects also will not be observed until dose builds up in the system. You may see lesser instances of self denegration first. Watch for that.
Comments:   Take pill once a day

 

Strattera review by 26 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADHD
Dosage & duration:   60 mg taken once daily for the period of 4 YRS
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   ALLEGRA
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Stratterra enabled me to concentrate and focus on tasks at hand. It makes a world of difference in my daily life. After four years of using Stratterra, I would never switch to a different ADHD medication.
Side effects:   Stratterra surpresses my appetite and makes me feel quite dependent on the drug to function. If I take with my multivitamin, I often feel nauseous.
Comments:   I take 1 60 mg of Stratterra in the morning daily.

 

Strattera review by 55 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADD
Dosage & duration:   40mg 1-2x/day taken 1/day for the period of 2 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   primpro
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Treatment benefits include improved attention to task, improvement in work quality and quantity. Impulsivity was greatly reduced, resulting in a calmer more productive day. Social relationships with co-workers and others were markedly improved. Social relationships with extended family members were also improved. As a result there was a marked improvement in self esteem and confidence levels both at work and at home.
Side effects:   There wer few side effects. I experienced intermittent episodes of dry mouth that interferes when during public speaking, speaking at meetings and in social situations. This can be resolved with small candies, however, that resulted in tooth decay. I am currently trying out a gel and mouthwash given to me by my dentist, however, I am not happy about putting these chemicals in my mouth.
Comments:   I am not sure what you want in this section. I received counseling. Medication was suggested. Other more typical, stimulant medications were tried but produced anxiety. This is a newer non-stimulant medication, and that is a plus. I have continued counseling and periodic check-ups with the prescribing physician. I am pleased with the results and plan on continuing with this treatment.

 

Strattera review by 40 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Marginally Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADULT ADD
Dosage & duration:   10mg, 20mg, taken daily for the period of 1 yr
Other conditions:   high blood pressure
Other drugs taken:   lysinopryl
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I was much more awake in the mornings instead of groggy and foggy -brained. I was able to focus a LITTLE bit better
Side effects:   Blurry vision, increased bladder leaks,moodiness, a little weight gain which may not be from Strattera
Comments:   Unfortunately I had a doctor who was uneducated about ADD and was very uncomfortable prescribing any medications for it. She put me on 10mg first.After 3-4 weeks I went back and asked for her to increase it. She prescribed 20mg,(which I found they don't make 20mg doses) Instead of changing it to a proper mg, she decided to have me take 2 10mg pills every morning which also doubled the cost and that amount was not enough to have much benefit. After about a year , I was finally prescribed a therapeutic dosage of 40mg. I had too many problems with the pharmacy ordering the right amount ( they had me take 4 10mg pills a day because they didn't order the right ones! I have no health insurance so was getting it on some program that made it cost me $6 but when they would screw up the order , I would either run out or have to get the full amount which was $130.00 at the 10mgs, so X 2 for 20mg, x 4 for 40mgs!! Just because of the way the pharmacy was doing it.Scamming the federal programs or something...so I finally just quit taking it. I definately had noticed that it made pee without barely any warning, and my eyesight got alot worse, and my fiance said it made me "mean". All that has stopped now that I am not on it. But my ADD is back full force!

 

Strattera review by 50 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   adhd
Dosage & duration:   100mg taken daily for the period of 4 months so far
Other conditions:   depression
Other drugs taken:   zoloft
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   I am more able to stay on task and finish what I start. I don't make so many mistakes in the details of my work. I am more able to concentrate consistantly on a project and not get so easily distracted. I am more confident that my work will be done well and in a timely manner.
Side effects:   When I first started taking it, I felt odd. I can't describe it except to say I felt out of sorts. I had trouble with perspiring and being cold and overly warm. I would feel cold inside and chilled sometimes and then I'd feel very warm and start to perspire.
Comments:   I'm taking this because I have trouble with details. Things like where I parked my car. I go into the kitchen to get a glass of water and open the refrigerator. I come out of a business and walk around aimlessly because I have no clue where my car is. Things are much better now, I rarely have occurrences like this any more.

 

Strattera review by 43 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   adult ADD
Dosage & duration:   100 mg per day taken once before bed for the period of 2 years
Other conditions:   hypercoagulable state, depression,
Other drugs taken:   warfarin, zoloft
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   calming effect, helped with sleep, helped with concentration, reduced appetite, improved depressive symptoms
Side effects:   nausea at first, agitation at first, sleeplessness initially. it seemed to take away my sense of urgency for things a bit, which was good for alleviating anxiety but might have caused difficulties with timeliness at work and time management overall.
Comments:   Long history of ADD symptoms eventually diagnosed at age 37. had to stop taking medicine because i left job and health insurance lapsed. this medicine was far more effective for me than adderal, which caused me to be very emotionally labile and sensitive, and caused dramatic blood sugar drops. i really wish i could go back on strattera, it really felt right for me.

 

Strattera review by 22 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADHD (Predominantly Inattentive)
Dosage & duration:   25 mg taken daily for the period of Still taking
Other conditions:   Asthma, Pollen Allergies,
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The "head made of air" feeling I tend to have goes away:I become more attentive, much more aware of my surroundings, feel much more grounded in the "here/now", and much better able to focus. My mind stops trying to jump from one subject to another every second; memory retention/recall improves DRAMATICALLY. I also find it FAR easier to fall asleep at night, seem to sleep better, and seem to be far more emotionally stable. I also do not "crash" from it later in the day like my former (stimulant) meds. Also does not appear to be physically addictive.
Side effects:   Severe grogginess, often accompanied by lightheadedness, upset stomach/nausea - ALL aggravated by sleep loss or lack of food, become slightly less severe after I'd been on it again for a couple of weeks. Severe grogginess was slightly alleviated by caffeine (espresso) or some rest (nap) or both. Best solution appears to be to take the meds with or after food, and to attempt to get a decent amount of sleep. Also notice a certain level of dependence (NOT actual addiction though) - mostly due to return of symptoms in medication's absence. I may also have dry mouth, but I'm not sure if that's the meds or if I'm not drinking enough water.
Comments:   Best way I've discovered to eliminate the side effects is to eat a protein-rich breakfast (usually egg/ham/cheese sandwich for me), then WAIT for at least a few minutes -anywhere from 15 to 60 or more- before taking the medication. Seems to retain efficacy, COMPLETELY eliminate stomach problems and GREATLY reduce grogginess -though that also seems to be partly dependent on how much sleep I get (minimum of 6 hours, preferably 8 or 9). Now that I discovered this trick, I am feeling MUCH better and no longer considering abandoning the medication! I like that it helps with sleeping quality on top of helping me focus, remember, and feel more aware of surroundings. Would cry now if I had to go back to not using it - I almost can't function without medication, and the non-stimulant allows me to sleep SO much better and I do not "crash" from it!

 

Strattera review by 25 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADD
Dosage & duration:   80 MG taken once a day for the period of one month
Other conditions:   Depression, Anxiety
Other drugs taken:   Synthroid
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   My ability to focus improved and I was overall calmer.
Side effects:   Severe depression and thoughts of death.
Comments:   I found myself staring at the wall more than anything else. I felt totally drugged. My personality changed from somewhat lively to something very dull. It was as if the medication numbed my senses. I discontinued Strattera after one month. I couldn't tolerate the depression anymore.

 

Strattera review by 32 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Marginally Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADD
Dosage & duration:   40/80 (dosage frequency: once daily in the morning) for the period of 3 weeks
Other conditions:   mild depresion/anxiety
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The 1st week felt great. All the racing thoughts were gone. Mind was kinda empty and quiet. I could concentrate. I was able to think of a task that needed done and complete it. Then move on to the next task. Was only able to work on 1 thing at a time instead of going from one thing to the next without finishing anything. Could listen to the person talking to me without starting to day dream and lose the conversation. Was very happy with it.
Side effects:   1st 2 days had nothing in my head. No thoughts at all. Didn't talk because there was nothing to say. I could understand people talking to me, but didn't have responses. Kinda groggy. Took a nap on the 1st day, which is something I never do. In my third week, feel like its stopped working. Minds not racing like before, but feels like all my thoughts are blurry. Feel very blah, not motivated at all. Could sit all day and do nothing. Before meds I ran around all day from one thing to the next and not finish anything. I could be in the middle of folding laundry, then walk away to do the dishes. I couldn't take my kids with me to the grocery store because their talking would distract me and I would forget things. Taking a list wouldn't help because I couldn't write lists. Now, I don't even want to do the laundry. I don't want to do anything. I wondering if changing the dose will help.
Comments:   Started out on 40ml. Which I thought was kinda high because I only weigh 118. Was told to go to 80ml after only 3 days. I did that and could not sleep at all! Was awake for at least 48 hours. So the doc had me go back down to 40ml. Which isn't working now.

 

Strattera review by 13 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Marginally Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADHD
Dosage & duration:   40mg taken once daily for the period of about 2 months
Other conditions:   migraine headaches, aspergers
Other drugs taken:   allegra, esgic plus
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   could focus slightly better in school and also at home
Side effects:   very high dialostic blood pressure, weight loss, fatigue
Comments:   slightly increased attention in a 13 year old girl suffering with ADHD (predominately inattentive) and aspergers syndrome but had bad side effects so was taken off medication and switched to Adderall XR instead

 

Strattera review by 21 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADD
Dosage & duration:   40mg capsule twice a day taken twice a day for the period of 3 years on, 3 years off, now 2 months on
Other conditions:   None diagnosed
Other drugs taken:   Vitamins
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Greater focus, stronger commitment, lessened stress, improved self-confidence, goal setting, less depressed, better organization and memory (as in remembering events), clearer in thought and expression thereof.
Side effects:   Lower regard for self-value, naturally depressive concepts seem less far-fetched, appear less happy.
Comments:   With or without this medication I am a philosopher. So I will be explain how the drug works on me from a philosophical assessment. Background: I had taken Strattera for three years (2005-2007) where it helped control ADD where I had difficulty doing so. It helped me focus, stay organized, manage relations, and most or all of the benefits I listed prior. I dropped the drug for 3 years so that I may learn how to control my ADD without the help of medication. During those three years I gained remarkable self control in overcoming ADD. However, I got to the point where I couldn't win over ADD, which was losing focus randomly. During college lectures that I found very intriguing I would often zone out/space out when I could not have been more interested in what was being professed. The frustration of this led me to conclude that medical assistance was the best choice. On the drug: I read and understand that the (generally) biggest con--side effect--to this drug is that there is some sort of depressive or suicidal figure involved. From an evaluative standpoint of myself, I've concluded that my desire for happiness is lowered from where it was prior to the drug. In other words, if I felt a need for a happiness at a 9th strength before, I now had the need for happiness at a 5th strength. Since happiness, to me and most I'd say, is the driving force for existence in life, a lessened desire for it would lead to two results. Lessened feeling for the needing to exist/live and feeling less depressed (because I now do not need to be happy as much as before). Understand that this drug does not control me, I control this drug. I suggest that while you take the medication you assert a greater self-awareness. As you examine how it affects you, you can understand when you are thinking naturally or by the drug.

 

Strattera review by 40 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Marginally Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADD
Dosage & duration:   25mg taken 1 per day for the period of 1 month
Other conditions:   depression
Other drugs taken:   Effexor XR
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Strattera seemed to give me some energy and focus for a few hours. However, about 5-6 hours after taking the pill, I get sleepy and groggy. I have never taken a stimulant (newly diagnosed ADD), but this sounds familiar to the "crash" I hear people talking about. So far the sleepiness and fatigue are out-weighing the benefits of this drug for me.
Side effects:   See above. Sleepiness and groggy-ness about 6 hours after dose. I also feel irritable during the "sleepy" time, probably due to the fatigue factor. I have noticed that little things get me irritated more easily while on Stattera.
Comments:   I am nervous about taking a stimulant, but this Strattera doesn't seem to be doing the trick for my ADD. I also have no use for a med that makes me feel sleepy during the day...that is worse than the original ADD!! Also, I have not noticed any appetite reduction, but it has raised my blood pressure. I hear stimulants do that too, so I'm growing tired of messing with Strattera when I am getting stimulant side-effects with none of the stimulant benefits.

 

Strattera review by 59 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADD
Dosage & duration:   80mg taken daily for the period of 5 years + still taking
Other conditions:   hypothyroidism, Wolfe-Parkinson-White Syndrome, hypercholesterolemia, anxiety
Other drugs taken:   atenolol, Tricor, sertraline, Ramipril, digoxin, levothyroxine
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Much more focused when taking medication. Able to complete a task before starting another one. More attentive to what is happening/being said around me. Less impulsive (e.g., when not taking, will start singing or behaving silly at inappropriate times)
Side effects:   None
Comments:   I'm not sure what this means other than I was started on 40mg once per day and then increased to 80mg where I have remained for 5 years.

 

Strattera review by care giver of 7 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Highly Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   ADHD
Dosage & duration:   20mg taken every day for the period of 6 months
Other conditions:   None
Other drugs taken:   None
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Strattera helped my son slow down without making him groggy or taking away from his personality.
Side effects:   My son became a little whiney in the evening when the medication started to wear off.
Comments:   I have always known that my son had ADHD, evan as a baby. I started looking into medication last year. My son was in 1st grade and had already been suspended from school 3 times. He also was in the principals office at least 3 times a week. He was not able to sit still or focus and was having trouble making friends because of his temper. My husband was against medication, but I talked him into a non-stimulant. We tried Intuniv first, but, that dropped his blood pressure to a dangerous level. Then we found Strattera, our miracle drug. Within a week we noticed a HUGE difference. My sons outburst of rage had completely stopped. This year he hasnt been to the principals office once and his grades are mostly A's with a few B's. He has also become very popular this year and is invited to almost every Birthday party. I cant tell you how hard it is to see every child in the class invited to birthday parties except your son. The best part is he is still himself. The medication doesnt make him groggy or zombie like. I dont know what we would have done without this drug. The only side effect we noticed was that he would get a little more whiney than usual in the evening, when the medication was wearing off. Other than that, we havent noticed any other side effects. Thank you Strattera

 

Strattera review by 39 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   adhd
Dosage & duration:   30 mg taken every day for the period of 5 years
Other conditions:   none
Other drugs taken:   none
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The medication helped me with concentrating and it helped calm me down when i was feeling anxious.
Side effects:   THe only side effects I experienced with the medication was usually within an hour of taking it i would get extremely drowsy. I would sleep for about 30 minutes then wake up.
Comments:   I take the medication 5 days on and 2 days off.

 

Strattera review by 36 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Severe Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Adult ADHD
Dosage & duration:   started 18mg gradually to current 60mg taken once daily dosing for the period of 9 months
Other conditions:   Panic Disorder, Anxiety, Depression
Other drugs taken:   Fluoxetine 20mg
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   Started with Fluoxetine for 2 year befoe starting Strattera. Initial benefits: Feeling of urgency to complete work, Morefocus on details, Less emotional lability,Feeling in control, Less forgetting,Less anxiety, panic stopped completely, depressive moods disappeared appearing occasionally. Took once a week counselling ADHD dicussion groups before and during starteera therapy
Side effects:   ED, ejaculation when urinating, dry mouth, stomach upsets, sweating/increased temperatures, Chills and Fevers & difficulty breathing at 9th month problems with right lung side and had to request Dr to stop. Suffered Effusion on the right side,Dry Eyes,
Comments:   Afterbreaking for 3 months and receiving antibiotics treatment for the chest problem, resumed strattera 60mg till current. however, currently though with earlier benefits, I have a feeling of "getting stuck" and "hypoerfocussing on things that interest me like browsing, listening to music etc and lack of the initial "kick" to complete tasts and look at things in details. Can someone help advise....should my dosage be increased to 80mg or more? I weigh 80kg. My dosing hasnt been basd on weight.

 

Strattera review by 27 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   Mild Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Bipolar
Dosage & duration:   40 mg taken once a day for the period of 7 months
Other conditions:   difficultly concentrating, difficultly completing tasks
Other drugs taken:   Neurontin, Risperdol
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The treatment helped the patient focus on her daily tasks and enabled her to 'get going' in the morning. In turn, the patient was able to exercise daily which also helped her maintain concentration throughout the day. Daily exercise also helped her maintain her moods at a stable level.
Side effects:   At first the patient took the medication before she went to bed, which kept her awake at night and did not allow her to sleep. After a couple of week with inadequate sleep, she sought help and the doctor prescribed her sleeping medication, Ativan. It turned out that the poor sleep was due to taking the medication improperly. When that was corrected, the patient was able to sleep again and was able to function at a high rate.
Comments:   The patient is being treated for bipolar I disorder, with the most recent episode severe depression. Being bipolar, she is not able to take anti-depressants as this may induce mania. Therefore strattera is an effective alternative which enables the patient to function at a higher level thus treating some forms of depression. Other drugs are taken in combination with strattera to help the patient function at an optimal level each day.
 


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