Hello. My 16-year-old Daughter Was Recently Diagnosed With A Mild Case Of Inattentive A.D.D She Was Prescribed Strattera What Are Side Effects Of It?

Posted on Thu, 2 Feb 2023

Question: Hello. My 16-year-old daughter was recently diagnosed with a mild case of Inattentive A.D.D. As a result, she was prescribed Strattera to help her with concentration and memory issues. After investigating, it appears that this drug has a lot of side effects. In your opinion and based on your knowledge, do you think it could prove to be beneficial and worth the risk? Thank you so much.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, the drug is beneficial and is worth the risk.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Strattera is Atomoxetine. The drug is an NE uptake inhibitor and used in ADD. If we consider the safety of drug then the drug is a safe drug, free of any serious side effects. The drug has no risk of dependence compared to other drugs used in ADD.

Yes, dose-related side effects like nausea, insomnia, restlessness, slight dizziness, reduced appetite, weight loss are seen commonly. But in most cases, tolerance to this syndrome develop in a couple of weeks.

So you can give her the drugs in the prescribed dose. This will definitely help her.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (21 hours later)

Hello and thank you for replying. Should Strattera be taken with food? Also, what is the approximate timeframe for side effects, such as nausea, to dissipate? Lastly, approximately how long does it take to know if the drug is making a difference? Thank you so much.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Atomoxetine should be taken with food.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I usually advise to take the medicine with food.

The side effects will go away in around a couple of weeks or earlier. No need to get worried. In most cases the symptoms are well tolerated.

In most cases 3-4 weeks are needed to see response and you will start seeing improvement.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (2 days later)

Hello and thanks again for responding. My daughter, XXXXXXX takes one pill after dinner in the evening (around 7:00 pm). She needs to take it with food, but she does not eat breakfast, in general, because she claims that when she does, it makes her nauseous. She is getting ready to start the 11th grade. School starts at 7:20 am and ends at 2:50 pm. She was put on Strattera in order to help her with her concentration and memory at school. Would this timeframe be the most beneficial? If not, when would be the best time of day for her to take this for optimum benefit? Also, her appetite has diminished significantly. Would the time of day that she takes this drug have any impact on her appetite? Thank you so much for your opinion and help and I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Atomoxetine can be taken in evening.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

As such there is no fixed time at which Atomoxetine should be used. If its convenient for your and her to take in evening then you can continue to give her the drug in evening. The drug is usually available in long acting preparations so it really doesn't mater.

The drug is known to reduce appetite significantly. But she is in her teen age and she will start tolerating the drug in some time. Timing also would not affect much of her appetite.

Thanks.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar