Strattera has been shown to work as well as stimulant drugs, such asRitalin (methylphennidate), in reducing ADHD related symptoms in children and adolescents.
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This article explains how Strattera works. It also covers its warnings, as well as what research on Strattera has found.
What Does Strattera Do?
Norepinephrine is associate with managing your:
Within one to two weeks, you may begin to notice a symptom reduction. However, it can take up to six weeks before you notice a significant change.
Unlike stimulant drugs likeAdderall (dextroamphetamine-amphetamine), Strattera is not associated with extremely happy or high feelings.This is because, unlike stimulants, Strattera does not impact dopamine, a brain chemical associated with feelings of pleasure and reward.
What Are the Warnings for Strattera?
Strattera has an FDA warning for an increased risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents. If your child is using this medication, be sure to watch for:
Watch your child especially closely during the first few months of treatment and during any dose changes. Reach out to their healthcare provider right away if you notice anything concerning.
This warning doesn’t mean that your child can’t be prescribed Strattera or that they should stop taking it if it is working well for them. Instead, the benefits of taking Strattera should be weighed against the possible risks of the drug.
In addition to this warning, your healthcare provider will not prescribe or will recommend stopping Strattera if there are signs of:
Never stop Strattera without a provider’s OK.
Research on Strattera
Research on Strattera indicates:
Does ADHD Medication Cause Unintentional Weight Loss?
Summary
Strattera has an FDA warning for increased risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents. If your child is taking this medication, reach out to their doctor right away if you notice any concerning changes in their behavior.
A Word From Verywell
Since it is not a controlled substance, Strattera is available with a regular prescription. This means that doctors can call it into a pharmacy and order refills, unlike stimulants, which require a new prescription each month.
Your child’s pediatrician may have samples available for them to try.
Frequently Asked QuestionsStrattera may make you feel more focused, less hyperactive, and less impulsive, but this may vary from person to person. Some individuals may experience side effects that lead to sleepiness or low energy.No. Strattera is not classified as a controlled substance.Strattera is a non-stimulant drug, while Adderall is a stimulant drug. Unlike Strattera, Adderall has a high potential for abuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Strattera may make you feel more focused, less hyperactive, and less impulsive, but this may vary from person to person. Some individuals may experience side effects that lead to sleepiness or low energy.
No. Strattera is not classified as a controlled substance.
Strattera is a non-stimulant drug, while Adderall is a stimulant drug. Unlike Strattera, Adderall has a high potential for abuse.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Strattera (atomoxetine hcl).MedlinePlus.Atomoxetine.Shang CY, Shih HH, Pan YL, Lin HY, Gau SSF.Comparative efficacy of methylphenidate and atomoxetine on social adjustment in youths with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. 2020;30(3):148-158. doi:10.1089/cap.2019.0139U.S. National Library of Medicine.Label: Strattera-atomoxetine hydrochloride capsule.National Library of Medicine.Noradrenaline and behavior.Wietecha LA, Clemow DB, Buchanan AS, Young JL, Sarkis EH, Findling RL.Atomoxetine increased effect over time in adults with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder treated for up to 6 months: Pooled analysis of two double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized trials.CNS Neurosci Ther. 2016;22(7):546-557. doi:10.1111/cns.12533National Institute on Drug Abuse.Misuse of prescription drugs research report.Nakano M, Witcher J, Satoi Y, Goto T.Pharmacokinetic profile and palatability of atomoxetine oral solution in healthy Japanese male adults.Clin Drug Investig. 2016;36(11):903-911. doi:10.1007/s40261-016-0430-yTuran S, Akay AP.The effects of atomoxetine on weight, height, and body mass index in Turkish children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2019;29(4):781-786. doi:10.1080/24750573.2019.1637393National Alliance on Mental Illness.Atomoxetine (strattera).American Academy of Pediatrics.Non-stimulant medications available for adhd treatment.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall (CII).
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Strattera (atomoxetine hcl).MedlinePlus.Atomoxetine.Shang CY, Shih HH, Pan YL, Lin HY, Gau SSF.Comparative efficacy of methylphenidate and atomoxetine on social adjustment in youths with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. 2020;30(3):148-158. doi:10.1089/cap.2019.0139U.S. National Library of Medicine.Label: Strattera-atomoxetine hydrochloride capsule.National Library of Medicine.Noradrenaline and behavior.Wietecha LA, Clemow DB, Buchanan AS, Young JL, Sarkis EH, Findling RL.Atomoxetine increased effect over time in adults with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder treated for up to 6 months: Pooled analysis of two double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized trials.CNS Neurosci Ther. 2016;22(7):546-557. doi:10.1111/cns.12533National Institute on Drug Abuse.Misuse of prescription drugs research report.Nakano M, Witcher J, Satoi Y, Goto T.Pharmacokinetic profile and palatability of atomoxetine oral solution in healthy Japanese male adults.Clin Drug Investig. 2016;36(11):903-911. doi:10.1007/s40261-016-0430-yTuran S, Akay AP.The effects of atomoxetine on weight, height, and body mass index in Turkish children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2019;29(4):781-786. doi:10.1080/24750573.2019.1637393National Alliance on Mental Illness.Atomoxetine (strattera).American Academy of Pediatrics.Non-stimulant medications available for adhd treatment.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall (CII).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Strattera (atomoxetine hcl).MedlinePlus.Atomoxetine.Shang CY, Shih HH, Pan YL, Lin HY, Gau SSF.Comparative efficacy of methylphenidate and atomoxetine on social adjustment in youths with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. 2020;30(3):148-158. doi:10.1089/cap.2019.0139U.S. National Library of Medicine.Label: Strattera-atomoxetine hydrochloride capsule.National Library of Medicine.Noradrenaline and behavior.Wietecha LA, Clemow DB, Buchanan AS, Young JL, Sarkis EH, Findling RL.Atomoxetine increased effect over time in adults with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder treated for up to 6 months: Pooled analysis of two double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized trials.CNS Neurosci Ther. 2016;22(7):546-557. doi:10.1111/cns.12533National Institute on Drug Abuse.Misuse of prescription drugs research report.Nakano M, Witcher J, Satoi Y, Goto T.Pharmacokinetic profile and palatability of atomoxetine oral solution in healthy Japanese male adults.Clin Drug Investig. 2016;36(11):903-911. doi:10.1007/s40261-016-0430-yTuran S, Akay AP.The effects of atomoxetine on weight, height, and body mass index in Turkish children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2019;29(4):781-786. doi:10.1080/24750573.2019.1637393National Alliance on Mental Illness.Atomoxetine (strattera).American Academy of Pediatrics.Non-stimulant medications available for adhd treatment.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall (CII).
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Strattera (atomoxetine hcl).
MedlinePlus.Atomoxetine.
Shang CY, Shih HH, Pan YL, Lin HY, Gau SSF.Comparative efficacy of methylphenidate and atomoxetine on social adjustment in youths with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology. 2020;30(3):148-158. doi:10.1089/cap.2019.0139
U.S. National Library of Medicine.Label: Strattera-atomoxetine hydrochloride capsule.
National Library of Medicine.Noradrenaline and behavior.
Wietecha LA, Clemow DB, Buchanan AS, Young JL, Sarkis EH, Findling RL.Atomoxetine increased effect over time in adults with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder treated for up to 6 months: Pooled analysis of two double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized trials.CNS Neurosci Ther. 2016;22(7):546-557. doi:10.1111/cns.12533
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Misuse of prescription drugs research report.
Nakano M, Witcher J, Satoi Y, Goto T.Pharmacokinetic profile and palatability of atomoxetine oral solution in healthy Japanese male adults.Clin Drug Investig. 2016;36(11):903-911. doi:10.1007/s40261-016-0430-y
Turan S, Akay AP.The effects of atomoxetine on weight, height, and body mass index in Turkish children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2019;29(4):781-786. doi:10.1080/24750573.2019.1637393
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Atomoxetine (strattera).
American Academy of Pediatrics.Non-stimulant medications available for adhd treatment.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Adderall (CII).
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