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ADD-ADHD Non-Stimulant Medication
Non-stimulant medication in the treatment of ADD-ADHD is prescribed when the patient is unresponsive to or adversely affected by stimulants, has a pre-existing heart condition, or has a history of drug abuse
357 Questions
How do Strattera and Concerta interact?
Our contributors share their experiences:
- I am a 42-year-old female, a mother of small children, and a student. I struggle with ADD and have done so my entire life, although began taking Adderall only a year or so ago. About 3 months ago, I started taking Stratterra 40 mg instead. The Strattera has a different effect on me than the Adderall. It seems to help with less confusion over how to tackle a project and stay organized. It has not seemed to help me as much with focusing during study time as Adderall. My doctor recommended that I try Concerta or Concerta and Strattera together and today I tried them together (Strattera 40 mg and Concerta 18 mg) and it was a very difficult day. I got a lot done around the house, but inside I felt like a basket case. My 4-year-old kept asking me if I was angry with him. I was short-tempered with my husband, and in class tonight I barely knew what the teacher was lecturing on. Maybe it is just the dosage, but Strattera is a very powerful drug and the side-effects should not be overlooked. It also makes me tired, but, after sleeping a few hours, I wake up and can't go back to sleep (I am writing this at 4 am). All I can say is BE CAREFUL with these drugs because they are very potent and sometimes children are unable to articulate what is going on inside of them. I felt very drugged today when being on both of them.
- I found that while my son was taking Metadate (about the same as Concerta) he was very uncontrollably hyperactive. I wrote a bit about my experience with this in "What is Straterra?" You might find it helpful.
- I am 35 year old and take Strattera 80 mg, Concerta 36 mg, and Wellbutrin XL 300 mg. When I first began taking these meds together (I started out taking 18 mg Concerta), I saw little change. But when my MD increased the Concerta to 36 mg, for once in my life I felt "normal." My thoughts were clearer. My attention span increased. I was less impulsive.
BUT, after 3 months, it seems my meds stop working around 3-4 pm, so my MD may have to increase my dosage of Concerta again. I do not feel as if this combo of drugs is dangerous. They have given me back my life and sense of self worth. I also have a psychiatrist who, I trust, would not put me on something that may not be safe. Maybe it's not for everyone, but I'm going to hang in there with my current meds, even if I do have to increase the dosage occasionally. Question your child about how he feels. If he's doing better on these drugs with few side-effects it's a heck of a lot better than how he felt when he was on meds that didn't help him. Believe me I know. Having ADD or ADHD (my 5-year-old great nephew has ADHD) is a battle. It has taken me 35 years to find the right combo of meds that work for me. Discuss with your child's doctor all of your questions and concerns. I do recommend a psychiatrist - not a general practitioner - if you're using your general practioner to prescribe meds.
- My son was taking Concerta 27 mg. He was 8 and pretty thin/lanky when he started. The Concerta helped his focus at school, although at home in the evening it was horrible... he was irritable, angry, picking arguments with siblings, no patience. We were going to switch to Strattera to see if that was better (Adderall had already been tried: it had worked, then all of a sudden just stopped being effective). During the ramp-up week where you take both, I noticed an improvement. When he stopped the Concerta, inattention was a big problem at school again (but he was happy/good mood). I asked the doctor if he could take both together, since he had been doing so well on both. The teacher said (and I agree) that he is like a "normal" kid at school with both medications. I recommending giving it a try if there are mood type or depressive type issues with your child. My stick-thin child went through times where he ate little, but he gradually got his appetite back. He weighed 53 pounds before, and a year and a half later he is 66 pounds and taller. I'm thankful for these medications being developed... a real lifesaver for kids trying to succeed in the pressure-cooker of today's classrooms.
- I am taking 54 mg Concerta with 50 mg of Strattera. I saw slight improvements to my adult ADHD with 18 mg of Strattera. Each increase in dose produced marginal improvements. Adding Concera made a big difference to focus. Have seen no adverse side-effects so far.
I was very skeptical about psychological medication until it helped me. Now I have a promotion at work and am getting more done.
- I have been taking Concerta 50 mg for quite some time daily and when a few hour dose is needed I use 10 mg Ritalin. The side-effects I experience with the use of Concerta are dizziness, tiredness, fluctuations in mood, bursts of anger for no justifiable reason and a feeling of intense nausea. However, the ability of the drug to enable concentration far outweighs the side-effects in my context as I am a engineering student; it would be practically impossible to pass without it. The 10 mg Ritalin, however, has no noticeable side-effects and allows for a short burst of concentration for an exam, for example. I have been told by many people that it is all in the mind, but once you use Concerta it is undeniable that is makes a remarkable difference. It is well worth using prescribed drugs rather than not using any at all. However, the use of these drugs should be monitored carefully and should be talked through with a neurologist! I attempted to use Strattera for a period of time, but it did not have any impact or change on my mental state. The side-effects listed are, of course, short-term effects I have experienced on a regular basis personally. The long-term effects of Concerta are known to be minimal; however, care must be taken with Ritalin as it has not undergone a great deal of testing - and the long-term effects are sketchy.
- I am 17 and have been taking both since 6th grade. One of my hobbies is playing video games and I just recently noticed that, when I take my medicine, all i want to do is play video games - nothing else! But when I don't take them, I am like a normal teenager: I want to hang out with people, etc. I have also noticed when I don't take it, I sometimes can't even decide what I want to do.
Just yesterday I threw up due to really bad heartburn, which, I know for a fact, was caused by one or the other or both.
What happens if you stop Strattera suddenly?
Most of the cases, the deep feeling of depression returns. Along with SSRI/SNRI discontinuation withdrawal symptoms which include:
* "Brain zap", which is a series of shock-like sensations felt in the neck and head. * Iatrogenic sexual dysfunction, due to decrease/loss of libido, along with other mechanisms.
Can Strattera decrease anxiety disorder?
I have had dysthimia (I think that is the right spelling) which is a difficult to treat, but not severe, depression. I have been on Strattera for 10 days, and I feel that the depression is lifting some. But there are other side effects that make it debatable if it is worth it. Strattera was originally intended to be a new antidepressant drug, but in clinical trials, no benefits could be proven. Since Strattera works to inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine, the manufacturer ran trials on the effectiveness of Strattera for ADHD and was subsequently approved (Information is from Wikipedia), making Strattera the first non-stimulant ADHD medication on the market.
If your doctor is giving you Strattera for depression, you might want to request a new drug, as that is basically an off-label use since Strattera is for ADHD and has been shown in clinical trials to NOT be effective for depression.
When should you take Strattera?
I thought Strattera would be a helathy alternative to the often--dreaded stimilants (Adderall especially... no good for me), but Strattera made me feel less like "me", and more like some sort of anxioius, paranoid, mess... it was not fun. I stopped taking Strattera (80mg/day) several days ago after taking it for several months (8+), I know finally am feeling "normal" again. although I'm already on Lexxapro and Vyvanse. Personally, Vyvancse is magic for me and Strattera is poison.
other people swear by it. a friend of mine says Strattera saved his life.
Just ask your doctor and google / search more for stories that you can relate to,.
Also be aware of testing morning versus evening, and try different doses.
Basically, if you feel it helps yoru overall mood, focus, and drive, then it helps. It should not cause anxiety or uneasieness...Some people say it's b
ADHD and bipolar share many of the same symptoms. If a person is misdiagnosed with ADHD and they actually have bipolar, ADHD medications like Strattera can make the bi-polar WORSE. If you find you are having rapid cycling (anxiety, manic episodes, or extreme highs of moods) on Strattera, you might want to see a psychiatrist to be re-evaluated for the possibility of a bipolar disorder.
As far as being able to tell if Strattera is working for your ADHD, since it is not a stimulant, you will rarely get the kinds of energy you might see on a drug like Ritalin or Adderall. It's more of a silent drug.
Your body will need to adjust to the initial side-effects, such as fatigue, which can take a couple of weeks. Also, it takes 3-4 weeks from your first dose to truly see the benefits of Strattera.
If after a month or so on Strattera you don't find that your impulsivity, focus, or mood have leveled off to something more normal, you might then want to consider trying one of the stimulant drugs -- but you have to give Strattera a chance.
Some people stop taking it because they had already been taking stimulants and since Strattera doesn't give you that same burst of energy or "high" you may not feel like it's working. Some people stop taking it because of the initial side effects, which can re-occur each time you increase your dosage or go off the medication for a day or more and come back on it. Some people stop taking it because they expect immediate results when it can take a month to see the results.
Just be patient and you'll know if it's working. It's just one of those "things" that you know is different... and better... about you. As I said, it's more a silent drug.
Is Strattera used for bipolar?
Answer: Strattera is used for the main purpose of treating ADHD; it is not a controlled substance or a stimulant. It may have been shown to treat depression for some people although this is controversial due to the new black box warning for strattera claiming it causes suicidal thoughts in children. my psychiatrist prescribed this to me to treat both adhd and depression. however the only outcome from taking 40mg of this crap for 6 weeks was horrible heartburn. i highly recomment NOT taking this medication for the treatment of depression especially if you are under 18, but i am not a doctor and ultimately the decision is yours, i hope this helps****
Can you take Strattera every other day?
Because if you don't your body starts to deplete the hormones and stuff that works so it wont be 99.9% effective. its more the case for progesterone based birth control pills than estrogen. And remember, no form of BC is 100% effective. If you miss a day take your pill as soon as you remember and consider having a back up method like a condom. Hope that helps!
Is it OK to mix Strattera Adderall and Prozac?
I currently take 80mg straterra, 70mg vyvanse (a speed-derived drug like adderall), and 10mg lexapro (an ssri like paxil, luvox, etc) and it is working great!
before I started vyvanse, I was taking straterra with lexapro and adderall: about 40 mg of adderall daily.
taking too much adderall caused me to be very anxious, self-conscious, and almost paranoid. when I reduced adderall to about 20 mg/day, as well as when I switched over to vyvanse, things smoothed out much better.
i should add that I was smoking a decent amount of medical marijuana at for most of this period too, which probably increased the paranoia....
I have since stopped the pot, and things are very smooth.
Just my personal experience, your results may vary, but whatever you do, be very cafeful with adderall!!! I had a mild psychotic episode where I thought everyone was out to get me, I couldn't leave home, and I am a "normal" person!
be safe. these are tools, not toys.
I am on 40mg of Srattera (once a day), 30mg of Adderall and 37.5mg of Paxil. I haven't noticed any unusual side effects, but that is just my own experience. Every individual is unique in their response to certain medications.
The answer is YES!!! The person asked a yes or no question. They didn't ask for your medical history.
What can happen if you snort Strattera?
Are you stupid enough to try? What would happen if you jumped in front of a bus? there's a chance you'd live. OK, off my soapbox. My (educated) guess is that you'd immediately have an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, possibly enough to send your heart into arrhythmia (that's bad). I doubt you'd get any pleasurable effectes such as euphoria, but you'd be wide awake at best, and dead at worst.
Does Strattera cause weight loss?
I have been on Strattera for almost a year, while it did not do a whole lot my my add, it did cause me to loose over 70 pounds, size 14 to a size 4. I just stopped and tried Vyvanse, it worked great for 2 days, but a night my hunger was uncontrollable, going to continue with the Strattera. I am taking 100mg.
What are the side affects of Strattera?
This question could have been answered simply by doing a little online research. STRATTERA Withdrawal Symptoms May Include: aggression, anxiety, balance issues , blurred vision , brain zaps, concentration impairment, constipation, crying spells, depersonalization, diarrhea, dizziness. electric shock sensations, fatigue, flatulence, flu-like symptoms, hallucinations, hostility, highly emotional, indigestion, irritability, impaired speech, insomnia, jumpy nerves, lack of coordination, lethargy, migraine headaches / increased headaches, nausea, nervousness, over-reacting to situations, paranoia, repetitive thoughts or songs, sensory & sleep disturbances, severe internal restlessness (akathasia), stomach cramps, tremors, tinnitus (ear ringing or buzzing), tingling sensations, troubling thoughts, visual hallucinations / illusions, vivid dreams, speech visual changes, worsened depression -http://www.labelmesane.com/strattera_withdrawal.html
Can you take Strattera and suboxone together?
I wouldn't suggest it. But the fact that you're asking leads me to believe that you have been using Adderall in combination with an Opiate. If that combination works for you, then Suboxone would not be much different. Both drugs, however, increase your blood pressure significantly and can cause serious long-term problems. Then again you know that if you have a reason to take Suboxone. Be careful and avoid taking them together if possible. And try to eat healthy if you don't want permanent Hypertension!
This is a very dangerous and addictive combination, do not try this under any circumstances! The effects on your heart could be fatal.
I somewhat agree and disagree, I have been prescribed both by not only my doctor in Maine but since I moved to Georgia my doctor down here kept me on the same. but at the same time it is true if you have an addiction problem which is more than likely why your on the suboxone. Than you do need to be careful if the adderrall is not prescribed and being watched by a doctor. Alot of drug abuse doctors do try to find an underlying cause for the addicts abuse like add,adhd,depression.... Remember that everyone is going to give you a million different answers and please be careful.
I have personally used suboxone and I currently am prescribed adderall. First off you should be aware that adderall is an upper, like speed or meth, but not to the severe degree. Second, Suboxone is mainly prescribed for opiate withdrawl... so you are looking at a downer. Taking them together will actually negate any "high" you are trying to attain, since suboxone will bind to opiate receptors in the brain causeing you to lose your high. NEVER take Suboxone unless you are trying to quit using drugs. It is very effective as an alternative to Methadone in treating heroin addiction, or opiate addiction. I hope that helped.
Yes, you can take adderall and suboxone together. I am presribed both and have had no adverse reactions. P.S. My prescriptions are legal, so if you are mixing Subs. and Adderall you would be better off asking a pharmacist
Will Strattera keep you awake?
Because of differences in tolerability, Strattera might be able to be taken at night. Some people, however, may need a morning dosing schedule, because they find it activating. 25 mg is a relatively low dosage, where adults generally start at 40 and make their way up to 80 or 100 mg total. And no, in case your wondering, strattera has 24 hour coverage, so you don't have to be concerned about the effects wearing off during the day time. This is different from all other medications available, especially in the USA where it is the only medicine of its kind currently. Above all else, talk with your doctor or whoever was licensed to prescribe this medication to you or someone else, since I don't know whether this question was for you or another person's benefit.
Will Strattera work for a five year old?
My nephew started taking medications for ADHD at age 5. He's been on Ritalin, Concerta, then Adderall. He had crying episodes and no appetite. We asked his pediatrician about Strattera. He's been on it for about four months. He's six now. We've had to adjust the dosage, but it has changed his life. He has gotten his appetite back. He is more focused and calm. He is happy and still has plenty of energy. He is doing much better in school.
My son was just turning 5 when he started taking strattera. He had tried one other stimulant medication for just about a month when strattera came out and we opted for the strattera instead. He is turning 6 in Feb. He is just about 41 pounds and is on 25 mg. every morning. He has experienced nausea and vomiting occasionally, when he hasn't had enough to eat, but we concentrate on getting a good breakfast and it usually works out okay. He has complained of occasional dizziness and a headache every once in a while. We have found that it has worked pretty well so far. He was in a 1/2 day pre-k program when we started and his teacher observed a noticable difference. He is currently in an all day kindergarten program and has done pretty well. He has had some continued problems with staying on task and getting his work done, but I feel he is doing much better. (I'm planning on calling his pediatrician tomorrow re: what the weight based dosage is for an increase - I just came to this website looking for answers myself) His IQ score (he is in a school for gifted kids) jumped about 30 points from no medication to about 4 months after taking strattera due to being able to focus better. He still has some difficulty and we have been told by a psychologist that she feels that he can be managed more effectively on another medication. However, at his age we are reluctant to put him on a stimulant medication for what could be the rest of his life. We feel as though we are pleased with the gains we have gotten and can always re-evaluate as his studies become more difficult. Good luck!
Try reading ritalindeath. Don't forget the message boards; they contain a lot of information.
Does Strattera help with OCD symptoms?
I'm not sure, but I've used Strattera for some months. I've OCD myself, and Strattera hasn't helped me with this problem.
But neither have medications like Lexapro, Efexor or Zoloft.
The only stuff I find helpful is bezos like Aprazolam or Diazepam. They just make me a little less conserned about things that i usely worry about. But in the end of the day, they're quite addictive. So you should be careful using them
Sorry for my bed English.
Taking Strattera after expiration date?
Loratadine is an anti-histamine. It's major side-effect (not common) is drowsiness. It is safe to take it after the expiration date. Depending on how long after, it may simply have a weaker effect. It will not harm you, it just may not work as well. Do not use this if you have kidney or liver disease of some kind or are breast-feeding.
Which is a safer drug adderall xr or Strattera?
Atomoxetine (Strattera) is much, much safer. Its side effects are very minimal. Adderall is racemic amphetamine mixed with dextroamphetamine. The negative effects of Adderall and other amphetamines can be very devestating, inducing or potentiating severe psychological dependence, weight loss, an array of heart problems , blood pressure problems, psychiatric disorders (aggression, depression, mania, psychosis, paranoia), dental problems, twitching, changes in libido, and probably some other stuff. If you experienced any of these from atomoxetine, they would be very minimal, especially compared to the degree which you would experience them on amphetamines.
Is Strattera an equivalent to Adderall?
Strattera and Adderall can both be used for ADHD but they have different side effects and therefore different results.
Strattera website: http://www.strattera.com/index.jsp
Adderall website: http://www.adderallxr.com/
~ T
NO! If you research any REAL study done with Adderall XR or Strattera, you will see that Strattera is maybe 50% as effective as Adderall XR at the most. Also, from patient and physician feedback, you will see the same results. Strattera is not only weak in its efficacy, it is not a very safe product. Adderall XR and other stimulants have been around for over 50 years and are very studied regarding safety. Stimulants such as Adderall XR are proven safe and effective for the treatment of ADHD. Think about it, Eli Lilly has spent more advertising Strattera than all of the other 7 or 8 ADHD branded products combined. Why is Adderall XR still the number one prescribed and fastest growing ADHD product on the market? Because it works the best and has the highest response rate. It has changed my life.
Can Strattera cause rapid heart beat and chest pains?
My heart rate has jumped as well. When I was working out the other day the machine started yelling at me b/c my heart rate was so high. Is this dangerous at all? Should I be working out less b/c of it?
I have only been on strattera for three days. Everyone is touting it as a non-stimulant , so far its effects dont seem much different that adderal or other stimulant meds. It definitley helps me focus and concentrate but along with it comes increased heart rate, and appetite suppression.
I am a 47 yr old woman, who was RX'd Strattera about 4 months ago......worked fine until about 4 weeks ago.....my blood pressure has jumped, my pulse faster than ever, constant upset stomach, dizzy spells with increasing frequency, insomnia, daily abdominal cramping......will be discontinuing today, as I cannot tolerate this and am concerned about the heart symptoms....and the dizziness is becoming alot worse, a daily thing that causes the room to spin-----and incapacitates me. In my line of employment, this could be dangerous for myself and others...it's gotta go !
I am 49 year old and very physically active male. I do long distance road riding on a bike. The increase in heart rate has diminished my stamina. I am on 80mg of Strattera and will reduce it to 60mg to see if that makes an improvement.
I am only 21 years old, and am actually concerned about my health because of how much Strattera has increased my heart rate. I cannot discontinue it because I need to concentrate for college, yet just a fe wdays ago I went to give blood and was denied as my heart rate was 120 bpm.
I suggest talking to your doctor, as I will
Why is a child so hyper when on Strattera?
Different medicines work differently with different children. I have tried Ritalin,concerta, adderol and none of those medications worked. But Stratera works fine with my child. Ask your doctor for alternative medicine for ADD because I went through 3 different kinds and finally one that works
It either works (as some say, i guess) or REALLY doesn't. I used Ritalin when i was younger...great.Strattera has really messed up my daily routine....or lack there of...I'm paranoid, tired...obnoxious.
What are the side effects of Strattera if you do not have ADHD?
May cause:
-too much pooping
-tingling feeling in your big toes
-ichyness
-swelling in the nose
-blisters
-lip disease
very serious
How long will there be a loss of appetite while taking Straterra?
I'm a 38 yr. old woman who's been on Stratterra for 5 weeks. My first 7 days I couldn't eat a thing. After my dosage was upped to 40mg, 65 mg & 80 mg. I have had no problem eating when I want to, but I could easily skip lunch every day and have no desire to snack. I eat 3 meals a day and I don't say no to dessert if I'm not too full from dinner.
I have to make a point to eat, but I can eat. I was already slender before Stratterra and I don't want to loose another pound and I haven't.
Other sites have shown people's side effect going away after one to two months.
After having been on Strattera for 3 months ADD symptoms are coming back is this unusual?
I am begining to notice the same thing. Strattera had a very intense affect on me the first couple of days. I felt extreemly focused but felt as if I was in an altered state. After a week or so that "altered" feeling began to subside and I just felt "really focued" the benefits seemed to be wearing off going into the 2nd month however. So I asked my doctor to increase my dossage from 80 mg every day to 100 mg. This made a difference for a about a month.
Now I have been taking 100 mg (2 25 mg tablets twice a day) for about 3 months and I am not noticing hardly any benefits anymore. I really would like to know if you body builds up a tolerance to the medication. Right now I feel like I may be wasting my money on the medication. I am affraid to stop taking it because I fear the withdrawl affects.
I cant increase my dosage because 100 mg is the maximum.
Can anyone give me some insight?
Hi, Per my daughters psychiatrist....new studies have found that while increasing the dose may show an improvement for the first couple weeks if the dose gets to high then you can see an increase in ADHD symptoms....we lowered her dose and she did much better on a lower dose than the higher one...hope this helps
After much searching and family stress in trying to get Strattera into my 6 year old son who has a feeding disorder and out of control ADHD, I have found an alternative solution. He can't swallow a pill and eats only an extremely limited selection of foods. (Only two of his foods are possibilities for putting medication in.) Since Strattera is extremely bitter, I pretty much couldn't disguise it enough to get it past him in any food. At the 25mg and 40mg dosages, I could sort of hide it, but we absolutely could not get 60mg into him in any food! It seemed that he was tolerating the medicine well and been having more good days at school so I was extremely dissapointed that our program was being derailed because we couldn't get the medication into him. The pharmacy we use said they couldn't make it a flavored liquid unless it was already in that form from the manufacturer. So I found a compounding pharmacy and discussed my problem with them. At first they said they could make it into a liquid and I asked could they make it into a patch because I didn't have much hope in any flavoring being able to disguise the bitter taste. The compounding pharmacy lab then said they had made it into a transdermal gel for some of their clients. I immediately felt a renewed since of hope! My son weighs almost 70 lbs and was on 60mg orally, but was initially stepped down to 40mg transdermally. He has been on it for almost a year and we are convinced we are seeing much improvement in his behavior. Our compounding pharmacy also makes the mood stabilizer Valproic Acid he takes in conjunction with Strattera into a suppository since we couldn't get that in him by oral routes either. So for you parents out there that need an alternative form of this medication, a transdermal gel might be the answer. This is a new frontier as far as the transdermal delivery of this particular medication as not much information is out there on it.
