new changes w/Strattera - ADD / ADHD Message Board

momofmary · 03-27-2003, 02:10 PM

My daughter has used Strattera for two weeks. For her weight she was prescribed 25mg/day for one week as a ramp-in and then up to 40mg. With only 2 weeks on this medication, her side effects were incredible. Today I took her to appt with many complaints. Her doctor (filling in for regular Dr.) said he has "hundreds" of patients whose side effects were similar. He therefore:
1. Lowered the dose back to 25 mg BUT
2. She is to take it BEFORE she goes to bed
He said I should see amazing differences.
Anyone trying this one? I said we would give it ONE WEEK as I am extremely frustrated with this medication and upset with myself that I allowed a change before the end of the school year.
I'll keep you posted regarding the results.

JeffRMom · 03-27-2003, 05:04 PM

Can you please tell us what are the common side effects that your doctor is seeing from his patients?? My son is on the 5th week and we are not having so much good result in term of attention and getting work done at school as we first started. It is very frustrating!! Why did your doctor suggest taking Srattera at night? My son's doctor told us to take it in the morning. Thanks for sharing!!

momofzak · 03-27-2003, 07:03 PM

Hello, We just took our son off the straterra because it changed his personality so severely.He was rude and defiant,as well as disrespectful to his classmates.He had a meltdown in school the other day so we spoke to the neurologist who was hesitant to put him on 60mg ( he was on 40mg and in the 4th week).He had no attention to task or any concentration.He is now on Concerta 36.He is a different child.He is calmer,a respectful child again(keeping in mind that 10 yr olds still have their moments) I am noticeing that he may be getting his tics back again (lip licking) but I am uncertain.Does anyone know how long it takes for straterra to leave the body as it takes several weeks for it to reach its peak.Thanks for any imput.I am so glad to have him off the straterra.

Multitasker · 03-27-2003, 07:55 PM

our 6 year old daughter was on strattera for nearly 4 weeks and had increased agression, headaches, and dramatic personality change. My pediatrician has since told me that she prescribed too high of a dose. She weighs 47 pounds and started on 18mg. We bumped her up to 25mg. which was supposidly her target dose and she hallucinated and was extremely paranoid.
When we discontinued the medication, it seemed like it took about 3 weeks to get out of her system and now she seems increasingly hyper. I am trying to "fix" her with omega 3's and zinc suppliments along with a diet high in protein and greens, and low in saturated fats. Her doctor suggested we give stimulants a try, but she already lost 5 pounds on the strattera and I don't want her to lose her appetite again.

RhondaBradshaw · 03-28-2003, 07:59 AM

Hi MomofMary - My son takes concerta 54mg and strattera 40mg. We give him the medication at night because he would have to get up way to early in the mornings to eat and take the med. He doens't rush to eat in the mornings and doesn't eat enough for me to feel comfortable giving it to him. We decided this on the 2nd day. It has been 2 weeks now and he has complained about a headache once or twice, a stomach ache once or twice but nothing major. Just this past Tuesday he woke up at 12:30am and vomited. It only happened once and went back to bed and was fine the next morning. What type of side affects are you seeing with your daughter?