What Should I Know About Strattera for ADHD?

Strattera came out around January of 2003, and iswork in about 20 minutes, so parents tend to go
becoming more and more popular as a treatment forback to using them, even with their harsher
ADHD. Strattera is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitorside-effects. After all, the parents don't experience
that came on the market in 2003. It is becomingthe unpleasant side-effects -- their kids do. But the
more and more popular as a treatment for ADHDparents do enjoy the benefits of the medication
and is available nationally. Strattera is a type of ADHDaround the home.
treatment that works differently from the other
ADHD medications available.Our reports also indicate that Strattera, like Attend,
has fewer "ups and downs" than stimulants. There
Strattera works by selectively blocking the reuptakecan be some stomach problems, but there is less of
of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine by certaina "rebound" effect. By the way, for reducing the
nerve cells in the brain. This increases the availability"rebound" effect of stimulants, try drinking a
of norepinephrine, which is thought to be essential inMountain Dew at the 3 hour mark (for Ritalin). This
regulating impulse control, organization and attention.seems to help a great deal to eliminate the "crashing"
off a dose of Ritalin, and make a smooth landing.
In clinical trials, some patients discontinued their
stimulant medications within one or two days ofIn one of the Strattera studies the researchers
beginning Strattera. But our reports are that ADHDreported that adverse events did occur in some
kids who had been treated successfully withpatients, including rhinitis (33.3%), headache (20%),
stimulants do not seem to respond as well to theanorexia (16.7%), and dizziness (16.7%). No serious
Strattera as those ADHD kids who had never beenside effects were observed and no patients stopped
treated with stimulants. This is probably true, as wemedication or discontinued the study due to adverse
have seen this happen with children and teens beingevents.
treated with ATTEND. We think this is because even
small doses of stimulants can be so effective thatThere have been reports of prostate problems in
they "spoil" both the kids and the parents, and theymen with ADHD from various sources, so men should
want to keep taking at least a tiny dose of stimulantbe careful.
along with either their ATTEND or Strattera. Learn
more information on Ritalin, and ATTEND at theIn each of six clinical trials, Strattera was better than
ADHD Information Library.placebo in reducing the symptoms of ADHD in
children, adolescents and adults. The positive effects
Please take Strattera exactly as directed by yourof Strattera were seen for overall ADHD symptoms
doctor. Strattera offers flexible dosing, once or twiceincluding hyperactive /impulsive symptoms and
daily. Discuss a convenient schedule for takinginattentive symptoms. But we are not convinced that
Strattera with your doctor.this statement is very powerful. Even coffee is
better than placebo. Would you take a medication
Do not take Strattera with any other medications,that was not better than placebo? ATTEND, which is
even over-the-counter medications! You must talka nutritional product, makes statistically significant
with your doctor first! Talk to the Pharmacist too!improvements on the computerized TOVA CPT test
Our reports indicate that there may be seriousin 70% of subjects, and 80% improve on Parent
problems taking anti-depressants with Strattera. InRating Scales; Ritalin makes statistically significant
fact, our reports indicate that there can be seriousimprovements on the computerized TOVA CPT test
problems taking even Benedryl with Strattera. Butin 80% of subjects. Is Strattera better than these?
our reports indicate that small doses of stimulants
may be OK with Strattera, and may even enhanceSo far, parents love the fact that this is not a
treatment.triplicate prescription. Doctors love this too. Ritalin is a
hassle to prescribe, and a hassle to get from the
Strattera may be taken with or without food. If youpharmacy. However, the bottom line needs to be
miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, but do notseen in the real world. Does Strattera work better
take more than your total daily dose in any 24-hourthan Attend? Does Strattera work better than
period. If possible, take Strattera at the same timestimulants? Will there be any long-term side-effects?
every day to keep on schedule. Strattera capsulesHow long will families pay $200 a month before they
should never be broken and sprinkled on food. Theyswitch to another treatment option?
must be taken whole.
You can learn more about Strattera at the ADHD
Our reports indicate that it takes 4 to 6 weeks forInformation Library.Douglas Cowan, Psy.D., is a family
Strattera to work well (to reach therapeutic levels).therapist who has been working with ADHD children
We believe that Lilly will experience the sameand their families since 1986. He is the clinical director
problems that VAXA has in getting people to stickof the ADHD Information Library's family of seven
with ATTEND, which also takes 4 to 6 weeks toweb sites, including helping over 350,000 parents and
work well. The problem is that parents usually onlyteachers learn more about ADHD each year. Dr.
give an intervention 2 weeks to work, and move onCowan also serves on the Medical Advisory Board of
to something else if they haven't already seen theVAXA International of Tampa, FL., is President of the
results they expect.Board of Directors for KAXL 88.3 FM in central
California, and is President of NewIdeas.net
Stimulants, when prescribed with the correct dose,Incorporated.