Strattera is a popular medication used in treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) and there are many reviews from both medical researchers and users on the effectiveness and side effects of this product. Before we talk about the reviews of this medication, let us explain Strattera and how it works in the body.
WHAT IS STRATTERA?
Strattera also known by its generic name – atomoxetine hydrochloride is a medication used as an alternative to the most common medications for treating the symptoms of a type of health condition called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD).
This medication can be used in children from the ages of 6 to 12, it can also be used in adolescents and adults. You should know that this medication is not considered as a stimulant rather it is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medicine.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this medication as the first and only non-stimulant medication to be used in treating the symptoms of ADHD. Most doctors recommend Strattera to patients with ADHD to avoid substance use disorder as many tend to abuse stimulants.
HOW DOES STRATTERA WORK?
Strattera belongs to a class of drugs known as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI). These drugs slow down how a type of neurotransmitter called norepinephrine is processed in the brain. The slow processing artificially elevate the level of norepinephrine and this helps to increase attention span while reducing hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.
Studies have shown that norepinephrine can enhance how the central nervous system functions, how the brain change or adapt to experience and how memories are converted from short term to long term. As Strattera increases the level of this neurotransmitter, other cognitive functions are enhanced as well.
STRATTERA REVIEWS
This drug is reviewed as follows;
1. STRATTERA REVIEWS ON ADHD – MEDICAL REVIEWS
There has been many reviews from medical researches and journals on the efficacy of this medication in treating the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The first review was published in the 2009 Pediatric Drugs journal. The journal reviewed the data gotten from many clinical trials conducted while comparing Strattera and other medications used in treating the symptoms of ADHD. The trials shows that Strattera is more effective than other medications used in children and adults.
Another review by the CNS Drugs in 2004 involved a clinical trial of Strattera on adults and it was discovered that there was a reduction in the symptoms by over 28 percent. Also, the Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety carried out a study on Strattera and published a review in 2013 stating the efficacy of the medication on over 3000 patients. The review showed that the medication is effective when used in adults but the side effects are worse as to when compared to placebo treatment.
2. STRATTERA REVIEWS FOR ADHD
According to Drugs.com, a website that grants patients access to publish their experiences and personal reviews from using prescription medications. Out of 10 stars, Strattera was rated 5.2, this is somehow low. 36 percent of the total reviews gave positive reviews while 42 percent reported negative experience.
One of the users reported she was diagnosed with inattentive type of ADHD and was given Adderall as her prescription medication. She spent 5 years but got little results until her doctor prescribed 40mg of Strattera. Her first few days of using the medication were terrible as she experienced side effects like dizziness, mood swings, constipation and loss of interest in sex.
These effects lasted for just 2 weeks then she started experiencing the good parts of the medication. The side effects went down, she became so calm and very attentive to things both at work and at home. The drug helped her to become closer to her friends and family.
Another user who was 31 years old had schizoaffective disorder comorbid with ADHD. His doctor prescribed Strattera instead of stimulants and the medication worked like magic even from the first day he took the medication. He did not notice any side effects but felt more alert, energized and can focus on tasks for longer time even when they seemed boring. All these benefits happened within 4 weeks.
A user has been on Strattera for a year after being diagnosed with ADHD, it took her two months for her body to adjust to some of the side effects of the medication. Some of the effects include slight stomach pain, nauseous feeling, sweating and feeling of lightheadedness but one way to minimize these effects is to drink lots of water and eat lightly. However, after the side effects, she experienced significant improvement and focus. Her appetite increased, metabolism raised and her life became better than before.
There are also some negative reviews about the medication. One of the negative reviews came from an 18 years old who was diagnosed with chronic depersonalization/derealization disorder (DPDR) and ADHD. He started by using 10 mg of Strattera but did not feel any change till he moved to 25 mg. The side effects started from anxiety to insomnia, fast heart beat and high blood pressure, hallucinations and loss of control of the brain. There was no relieve from the symptoms of ADHD instead his DPDR became worse.
Another negative review is from a patient who was prescribed 40 mg of Strattera once a day for two weeks till he moved to two times a day. Some of the side effects he experienced is feeling of being drunk, tight and heavy chest, tingling sensation in the body, constant goosebumps and anxiety among other things.
3. STRATTERA REVIEWS FOR WEIGHT LOSS
Some people use Strattera for reduce weight, this is somehow effective as the drug can reduce appetite, increase the feeling of nausea and speed up how the body metabolizes substances. There are also reviews from users who have used this medication to lose weight.
Some user by the name Alex reported he started using Strattera solely to treat ADHD, he started with 80 mg, noticed chest heaviness and went down to 40 mg. The symptoms of ADHD reduced but he noticed weight loss and muscle cramping. At some point, he lost his muscles and lost some weight. One thing it note is that his symptoms went away but he lost some muscles.
Another user was using Strattera to reduce lack of concentration and the medication helped her to get back her concentration and reduce jitters. However, she noticed that she lost 20 lbs and lost appetite that she forgets to eat.
Sofie, another user started taking the medication from the age of 9 and within 2 months, she lost over 20 kg (44 pounds). She became so skinny that at some point, she wanted changing the medication to another.
From all the above reviews, we can see that Strattera has the tendency to make users lose weight within weeks and months of using it.
4. STRATTERA REVIEWS FOR DEPRESSION
Strattera is also used for an off-label treatment of depression. 57 percent of the reviewers had good experience with the medication while 14 percent had negative experience. One user had depression, ADHD and uncontrollable thoughts. He started using 0.5 mg for three months and noticed slight improvement. After increasing the dose to 1.0 mg daily for three days, he saw great improvement in just two weeks. The uncontrollable thoughts, depression and symptoms of ADHD disappeared.
Another user was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, GAD, ADD and was prescribed 40 mg of Strattera. In a month, she noticed major reduction in her anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts. She did not notice decrease in appetite and no weight loss. The only side effects noticed were irregular heart rhythm and this subsides within days.
Ashley, one of the users had depression, anxiety, ADHD and was prescribed stimulants but the side effects became too much that she had to quit using them. She started with 25 mg of Strattera and on the first day, she noticed increase in energy without symptoms of anxiety or increase in blood pressure. After few weeks, she noticed improvements in her forgetfulness and sadness. The dose was increased to 50 mg and her depression, anxiety and lack of focus reduced rapidly.
Another user had PTSD, anxiety and depression, she was prescribed Strattera to help her overcome these health conditions but the side effects became worse. She felt dry mouth, dehydration, crawling skin and scalp, headaches, increased racing thoughts, suicidal thoughts, heart palpitations, intense neck and shoulder pain, confusion and memory disruption.
5. STRATTERA REVIEWS FOR CHILDREN
Strattera is also used in children to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While some had positive experiences, others had negative reviews about the medication. Some of the positive reviews including noticing significant changes in the treatment of ADHD while increasing attention span, focus and concentration in children.
The negative reviews are centered around the side effects which include nausea, numbness of some parts of the body, tiredness, dry mouth, itching of the body, goosebumps, hot and cold flashes.
CONCLUSION
Our bodies respond differently to drugs and Strattera is not an exception. While some have amazing things to say about the medication, others had bad experiences. The bottom line is to use the medication based on prescription and see your doctor if you notice any side effects.