What's Wrong with Strattera?

[@MarleneMeier]

I've been on Straterra for 25 years for ADD and I have zero side effects and it's amazing and it changed my life. I take it at night before I go to sleep to avoid nausea. It takes a few weeks to get used to taking it at night.

[@webbedshadow2601]

I'm so glad I stuck with Straterra and got past the initial month of nausea, fatigue and upset stomach, now I take it and have barely any side effects at all, very good med for my ADHD I'm happy it exists so that I don't have to rely on taking stimulants every day.

[@Grisuu]

Market launch was in 2002, so i guess its not 25 years

[@johnries5593]

I've been on atomoxetine for a year and a half and it made an immediate difference in that both distractability and impulsivity were dramatically reduced, though I'm as inattentive as ever. I had to stop Adderall because it was making my heart race.

[@DrJohnKruse]

Thanks for sharing your experience. It matches my observation that this medication does work quickly if you can tolerate an initial dose that is in the therapeutic range.

[@mebeasensei]

1) testicle pain (especially after dose adjust but later too) 2) stomach pains (especially after dose adjust) 3) blood pressure and sweating issues (chronic) 4) urination pressure so bad it literally dribbled out of me. This did not ‘resolve’ itself, (chronic) 4) takes weeks to ‘work and assess’ , before ‘adjusting the dose for optimal effectiveness’ 5) dreadful constipation that required a hospital visit 6) Doctor dealing with my constipation emergency ordered me to stop - thank goodness Other than that…I thought it helped mentally.

[@therabbithat]

I wonder if the side effects are worse for men? I got horrific constipation on vyvanse, i had had diarrhea since getting covid so maybe that combo is why it didn't require a hospital visit. Not a problem on straterra but again, that might be "thanks" to long covid messing up my digestion completely

[@rc121crx]

@@mebeasensei The first 2 are what I'm dealing with.

[@olivewash8419]

A tip for controlling starters side effects that I always pass on: take it with protein. I’m not versed in pharmacology so I’m grossly oversimplifying, but essentially Straterra binds to protein, so taking it with some protein in your belly is ideal. Once I started taking it this way I had immediate reduction in side effects. It took some tinkering to find the best amount of protein (10 grams minimum), and once I found that, side effects are completely gone. No more extreme sleepiness, cotton mouth, stomach issues. This med works very well for me

[@webbedshadow2601]

That's great to know! When I started Straterra I was taking it right after I woke up, on an empty stomach and it gave me AWFUL heartburn, I'll be sure to take it with a protein meal from now on.

[@therabbithat]

I'm so grateful it works for me with basically no side effects. Teeny weeny bit of nausea that doesn't last long It's not as good as vyvanse for symptoms, but it is great, and it doesn't wear off and leave me disregulated in the evening, it doesn't affect my sleep, and if I forget to take it or wake up late I can just take it late rather than having to go a day without it. I do find it was good for ADHD my depression symptoms too. Helps emotional regulation generally but also just takes away those intermittent and short lived but very severe depression symptoms.

[@colleenc4621]

Thank you so much for your videos. My pharmacist education didn’t provide much insight on the medications you address in your presentations. It’s always frustrated me how they gloss over the nuances. I love the details you gave regarding drug approval processes for some of the drugs too. I’m going to have to watch this one several times

[@TheNaphisa03]

Love your channel and style!!!! Please continue what you do. PMHNP here.

[@bobmason1361]

Your videos are very interesting. Thanks. I had to stop taking it as it caused me to grind my teeth in my sleep. Badly damaged rear molars. Very expensive Dental costs. I was not sure of its effectiveness. I dont like the anxiety of stimulants. The best counter to my ADD was modafinil. Used rarely for those impossible to do tasks.

[@rc121crx]

Took 300xl bupropion years ago and liked it. Was kinda scared about having a seizure though, and now my new doctor has me on this.

[@DrJohnKruse]

Most research indicates that the seizure risk from buproprion doesn't increase significantly until daily doses of 450 mg - and most of those studies were conducted with immediate release bupropion, which results in relatively higher blood levels than do either extended release form.

[@rc121crx]

@DrJohnKruse Thank you Doctor Kruse

[@grapelights]

It made me depressed and I would cry excessively, and it caused panic attacks. I became so lazy. Only benefits were better sleep and not overeating.

[@hammersaw3135]

I survived this science experiment as a teen, I survived the suicidal side effects. Evil drug

[@jehhuty]

Wtf are you talking about

[@hammersaw3135]

@jehhuty before the black box warning they prescribed it to children and it caused massive damage. It had teens dropping left and right at first before they put the warning on the box.

[@your_new_sjw_waifu]

It did absolutely nothing for my ADHD. For me Adderall and Concerta worked okay. Cannabis worked even better than Adderall and Concerta but after about a year I started getting tired of being high all the time and addiction was starting to take hold so I quit it and decided to try psilocybin. That's been a game changer. I eat 3-5g of mushrooms once or twice a week and I don't understand the science behind it but even when I'm not under the effect of it, it still works. I can be completely sober and still sit still and actually concentrate on stuff. More research definitely needs to be done on it.

[@aanderson2880]

3-5 mg of psylisybin? It helped your focus? Interesting. Should I try it. Will it help me clean the house??❤

[@your_new_sjw_waifu]

@@aanderson2880 No that's not what I said. Mushrooms are only about 1% psilocybin not 100%. If they were 100% psilocybin then there wouldn't be any room left for the mushroom. You'd just have a pile of pure psilocybin.

[@Starsam1983]

Vyvanse helps you clean the house. And you can take it once a week. I'm not a doctor. Just an ADHDer, sharing my experience.​@aanderson2880

[@cosmosprincess20]

I tried strattera and the side effects outweighs the benefits for me.

[@Allusion1996]

Thanks for such an amazingly detailed video, Dr. Kruse. I started 5 weeks ago on 40mg of atomoxetine. The first three weeks a felt noticeably better despite having constipation: more awake, more attentive and less grumpy when hungry (per my wife). After the third week, the constipation went away but all its benefits as well. This last week I have been doing 60mg and I feel almost no benefits (maybe I experienced some placebo effect initially). I do want want to try up progress to 80mg and 100mg if needed (I'm on my thirties ana weight 150lb), but I'm also considering Vyvanse due to the great feedback I have read. My question: if stratterra eventually providea some minor benefits, is it worth it to keep in a combo with a Vyvanse OR just do the stimulant alone? I've heard from Dr. Russell that it may be beneficial since one targets norepinephrine and the other dopamine. I would love to read your thoughts about this or even better: a whole video on this topic. Thank you again

[@DrJohnKruse]

I think that we don't yet have a good way to predict who will respond best to which medications or combinations. I've certainly see people who appeared to benefit from a smaller dose of a stimulant (compared to when they took that solo) while they were also on a non-stimulant like atomoxetine.

[@olic7266]

I had Strattera for about a year. I thought it was absolutely awful. Got terrible groin pain, dizziness and made food taste repulsive. It did help with school in the morning but the negatives of it definitely outweighed the positives for me.

[@JamesThomas-530]

I just started straterra i have a history of heart problems in my family and have high blood pressure i asked my doctor specifically for a medication that wont affect my blood pressure and was prescribed Wellbutrin but broke out in hives and had bad headaches after 35 days i got prescribed straterra now what should i expect????

[@CyberkawaiiMaxtac]

So on high level overview .. Wellbutrin and Cymbalta work better for the short term direct and long term treatment of ADHD in you professional option? Sorry English is my seconded language

[@DrJohnKruse]

That would match what I have seen clinically over the decades.

[@stace1967]

Recently diagnosed with ADHD. Tried Wellbutrin. Broke out in hives and had a "blank brain". Could not conjur up a thought. Will be trying Strattera next. Because of the side effects, Im nervous to start it. I previously tried Cymbalta for depression. I experienced visual and auditory hallucinations. I seem to have negative reactions to anti-depressants.

[@JamesThomas-530]

I also broke out on wellbutrin and had bad headaches just started straterra I'm also nervous about the nausea....

[@lorenzoserna3961]

I was recently switched from adderall XR to Straterra 40 mg. I have never abused my medication, I actually came back for follow-up after taking a couple months off of it (I can tell that I am slower and less productive when not taking). Straterra made me nauseous and I felt very tired, and unmotivated throughout the day. After a few days I notified my doctor. He adjusted my Straterra medication to 20 mg. It still makes me feel tired. I am not a fan of this medication.

[@DrJohnKruse]

Some people do benefit if they stick with it longer. But if you can frame it so that it is coming from curiosity, and not an attack/rejection, I would ask your prescriber if the two of you can explore why they thought it was a good idea to switch from Adderall to Strattera.

[@lorenzoserna3961]

@ I really appreciate you taking the time to reply, and I really appreciate your content.

[@DrJohnKruse]

@@lorenzoserna3961 You're welcome!

[@PatCrawford-jm9rm]

I am in recovery from drug addiction and alcoholism (including stimulants). Is Straterra a good option in my case? Is there anything else out there that is not or less addictive to treat my ADD?

[@carflexee]

Yes, straterra and qelbree are non habit forming and they are not even considered controlled substances. Make sure to inform your doctor about your history of addiction when you seek treatment for ADD. Look up “non stimulant ADHD medication”, I’d guess you’d want to avoid stimulants entirely but I’m not an expert. Best of luck buddy

[@DrJohnKruse]

Atomoxetine (Stratttera), Qelbree (viloxazine), and bupropion (Wellbutrin) can all help some people with ADHD and don't possess risk for addiction. Some research suggests that bupropion may even help those with a range of addictive problems - it is also approved for smoking cessation.

[@MarleneMeier]

It's not addictive and it's not a controlled substance. It also helps anxiety. Cymbalta and Wellbutrin didn't work for me.

[@SeanRhoadesChristopher]

On 25mg atomox it helps but it doesn’t seem to help with executive function. I’m still very scattered, but comorbidity may also be the reason for that namely C.D.S.

[@ishtarbabylon4869]

I’m on mirtazipine and Dex .. lately it only work ( stimulants ) for 2 days then I lose time and hyper focus on one thing too long .. only thing is I’ve had antidepressants SSRI ‘s in the past with negative symptoms for depression( only got diagnosed in 2020 for ADHD treated last year .. I’ve been on mirtazipine for hmm since 2003 .. I’m wondering if I should change back to day time antidepressants now that I’m older and more innatemtive? And now that I am on Dex?

[@DrJohnKruse]

Those certainly sound like worthwhile questions to be exploring with your prescriber.

[@ahlakshmi4390]

My 6 year old has ADHD. He is prescribed with Strattera 10 mg.. we want to start this medicine from this Saturday.. can I know at what time of the day is good to give him this medicine?? Is this medicine good for 6 year old?? Any side effects on usage of this?? Please help me with your suggestions..

[@FlynnaYoutube]

Hey, Dr.Kruse has many videos on the subject of ADHD, about treatments, medications, stimulants... Which you can also find in the ''Live'' section of the KZbin channel, but he does have a bigger focus on adult ADHD. Dr.Kruse has also recommended in the past, ADDitude magazine, which has a website and a youtube channel with lots of information about ADHD in general, about children diagnosed with ADHD, and for parents with children diagnosed with ADHD. I would personally also recommend other ADHD experts like Russell Barkley, who has videos on KZbin about treatments for children, and dealing with ADHD as a parent of a child diagnosed with ADHD. For example, I would recommend the videos titled ''6 Principles for Raising a Child with ADHD'' and ''ADHD Treatment of Children & Teens''. Your child is very fortunate to have gotten their diagnosis so young in order to better manage their condition in their coming life, and to have a parent such as yourself willing to look for information on the subject in order to give them the best care you can. Have a good one!

[@DrJohnKruse]

Most people take it in the morning. It has been tested extensively in children and is usually safe.

[@ahlakshmi4390]

@@DrJohnKruse Thank you

[@KB-tu4zw]

Dr. Kruse, I am back watching your video again because my doc has started me on Straterra again. I am the KB in several of your videos asking questions. I have had a long road of medication changes and right now on Straterra, Adderall and Klonopin. I think I got an OCD diagnosis added since this video. I was wondering if you could do a video on this combination therapy. I can’t find any on it. My doc who since retired told me that it’s not an unheard of combination but most choose one or the other. I took Wellbutrin for several decades and it didn’t help a lot with my undiagnosed ADHD. I could never get above 300 mg due to anxiety. I had previously taken Straterra before starting a stimulant. I was on 300mg of Wellbutrin as well. I didn’t know what was happening with me but it was clearly interacting with the Straterra. I could never get above 40mg of Straterra without having to back back down due to massive anxiety effects. I had read that people can get better ADHD coverage with this combination. What are your thoughts? Thanks!

[@b-rad1067]

My 9 yr old daughter was put on it and had suicidal thoughts

[@being-Lisa]

I tried handle it but the nausea was too much.

[@olic7266]

Strattera can induce painful orgasm in men and cause swollen prostate and urinary issues. I think this is more common side effect than is reported & may not be an issue in women. I wonder if data shows lower approval rating with men.

[@DrJohnKruse]

Good question. I don't recall seeing a breakdown on tolerability or approval by gender.

[@AhmedAhmed-z4e6h]

I’m 28 years, my doctor diagnosed me with ADHD , anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and my psychologist said I have a trauma and I am not happy in my marriage. I started taking Atomoxetine since the last June , I am taking 80mg , with Ecitalopram 20 mg , and recently I started taking diazepam 2mg The medications don’t work , I felt some days for few hours that I am good but no it is not because the medications because used to feel the same things before starting the medications , I am 20 weeks pregnant, students, wife and mother I can’t trust those medications anymore What’s your advice for me

[@DrJohnKruse]

My advice would be to share all of your concerns with your doctor so they can help sort out what makes sense for you right now and for later. It may also be valuable to check with family and friends to see if they have noticed any improvement or worsening of symptoms, because ADHD itself can interfere with how people perceive themselves and how they interact with others.

[@AhmedAhmed-z4e6h]

@@DrJohnKruse I shared my concerns with my psychiatrist, I told him that I don’t feel any improvement and I feel tired and overwhelmed, he said “ if you feel very tired, you can go to a hospital” I don’t know why he said that if my problems are studying, cleaning, asking for perfect things. And before that he told me to don’t expect success in this semester and it is fine to drop courses. But I feel there is no sense to take the medications that don’t work for me. Before about six years I took fluoxetine for 7 months and alprazopam for several days but I felt good just for the first 3 days ! My psychologist asked me to change the psychiatrist. I will do that, but I am very depressed and sad because I didn’t expect failing ttt one more time. My family know that I struggle from years in studying and after marriage with cleaning and cooking too, they started to notice how I am depressed and can’t to do anything , my husband complains all the time because I don’t clean or study and because I spend money to buy non important things, eat fast food and snacks a lot. He doesn’t realize that I just looking for anything make me feel happy and I hate what I am doing. I didn’t share the diagnosis with them and I can’t do that at all.

[@Xanaduum]

I wouldn't trust those medications whilst pregnant. There's not enough research on the effects on the unborn child.

[@AhmedAhmed-z4e6h]

@ my biggest problem is my headache and neck, shoulders, upper back pain, it’s pain and tension, these things make me not able to read and study or clean and do what I have to do which make me more anxious and depressed. I don’t know how to treat that ! My doctor prescribed Wellbutrin, I took it for a week but today I threw all my medications since they make me anxious and angry with a lot of side effects and no benefits.

[@ericenvironmentalist9429]

Gave me insomnia

[@themysticalwanderer36]

It decreases testosterone levels and causes insomnia

[@SeanRhoadesChristopher]

Sirach 38:1-15 (KJVA) 1 Honour a physician with the honour due unto him for the uses which ye may have of him: for the Lord hath created him. 2 For of the most High cometh healing, and he shall receive honour of the king. 3 The skill of the physician shall lift up his head: and in the sight of great men he shall be in admiration. 4 The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth; and he that is wise will not abhor them. 5 Was not the water made sweet with wood, that the virtue thereof might be known? 6 And he hath given men skill, that he might be honoured in his marvellous works. 7 With such doth he heal men, and taketh away their pains. 8 Of such doth the apothecary make a confection; and of his works there is no end; and from him is peace over all the earth, 9 My son, in thy sickness be not negligent: but pray unto the Lord, and he will make thee whole. 10 Leave off from sin, and order thine hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all wickedness. 11 Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour; and make a fat offering, as not being. 12 Then give place to the physician, for the Lord hath created him: let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him. 13 There is a time when in their hands there is good success. 14 For they shall also pray unto the Lord, that he would prosper that, which they give for ease and remedy to prolong life. 15 He that sinneth before his Maker, let him fall into the hand of the physician.