I need advise. My 6 year old daughter is on 25 mgs. of Straterra for about a month. I notice that she is much more emotional than she was before. She has always been a sensitive child but never cried as much as recently. We also struggle with taking the medication. She can't swallow the capsule so I have to open it up and pour it in chocolate pudding. It tastes disgusting so I have to watch her struggle with that every day. We've tried applesauce, yogurt, ice cream and chocolate milk, so far chocolate pudding covers the taste the best but not good enough. I welcome any suggestions. Thanks

You need of course to parent in the way you believe is best for your child. So I am just speaking in regards to my relationship with my daughter who is ADHD. I strongly felt that it was important to never force her to take medications. I figured that if the improvement in her quality of life was apparent to her, she would want to take the medication. It sounds like perhaps what your child is upset about is just the taste. But if the crying is a possible side-effect of the medication, I would take my child off immediately. My daughter responded beautifully to ritalin but there were times when she simply didn't want to take it. So those times she didn't. It was never forced.

By no means should the capsule be opened!!!! Not only does it taste nasty, but most of all, it can cause serious damage to the esophagus due to the acid contained in Strattera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do not open the capsule!!! I would rather stop giving her Strattera if I were you.

Oh no sandi... strattera capsules should NEVER be opened!!!! Stop doing this NOW! It is DANGEROUS!! As mentioned it can damage the esophagaus. It can also damage the skin and eyes if any of the powder gets on your childs hands or in the air. If you want more info on why strattera cannot be opened call their information line. You can find the number on the strattera web page.

Now I feel horrible!!! When I talked to the pharmacist about this he said I could open it and went she met with her doctor about a week ago I explained to him what we were doing and he recommended other foods to mix it with!!! How do I ever know who to turn to if these professionals don't know??




Oh no sandi... strattera capsules should NEVER be opened!!!! Stop doing this NOW! It is DANGEROUS!! As mentioned it can damage the esophagaus. It can also damage the skin and eyes if any of the powder gets on your childs hands or in the air. If you want more info on why strattera cannot be opened call their information line. You can find the number on the strattera web page.

I know that Adderall XR and Metadate CD can be opened, but not Concerta or Strattera. I'm sorry you have been misinformed by these professionals. I am also very frustrated that so many doctors misinform patients and parents about the importance of side effects etc. Please come back to this board frequently, you can learn a lot from all of us. I have learned a lot from others. If you ever have questions about any meds, I would look up the drug and manufacturer's website online and call them about any issues.
P.S. Take a stance and inform the pharmacist as well as the doctor about the dangers of opening Strattera. With this action you can truly prevent another parent making the same mistake.

I know that Adderall XR and Metadate CD can be opened, but not Concerta or Strattera. I'm sorry you have been misinformed by these professionals. I am also very frustrated that so many doctors misinform patients and parents about the importance of side effects etc. Please come back to this board frequently, you can learn a lot from all of us. I have learned a lot from others. If you ever have questions about any meds, I would look up the drug and manufacturer's website online and call them about any issues.


Thanks for your support. I just got off the phone with my pharmacist and Straterra. The pharmacist was not aware of the danger but the Straterra representative gave me some good suggestions on how to get my daughter to swallow the capsule. Hopefully we can do this successfully!!

I w/b interested in the suggestions for a 6 year old to swallow capsules, - any capsules for that matter, we are trying some others like ATTEND and Becalm'd ( we now have the chewable), but just for general knowledge - please. Thanks

I w/b interested in the suggestions for a 6 year old to swallow capsules, - any capsules for that matter, we are trying some others like ATTEND and Becalm'd ( we now have the chewable), but just for general knowledge - please. Thanks



They suggested we try having her practice with tictacs so we aren't waisting the medication. It is also helpful if they drink before to open and lubricate the passageway, they also said to try pushing it back with a straw, my daughter is a gagger so that would never work for her. And the usual put it in a bite of something like applesauce, ice-cream or pudding. That's is how I originally started but she would just let it float around her mouth instead of just swallowing it. I'm sure it will be an adventure to get her to swallow this. It seems that they would make a small pill for a medication that is to help children. The woman I spoke with at the company that makes Straterra wrote down my complaint about the swallowing of a capsule, so who knows what may come of it.

Thanks for the ideas, and I think practicing will help and tictacs are a good idea.
My daughter ends up chewing them and then they really taste gross.

GOOD LUCK

I have heard of people having success with practicing with M & M's or with giving the capsule inside a spoonful of whipped cream.

More good ideas - Thanks

Sandi,
You shouldn't feel bad, you didn't know. It's not your fault. Many doctors are giving out incorrect information regaurding strattera. It's still pretty new and many docs don't even take the time necessary to learn how to properly prescribe this med. If you have any questions or doubts you should always look on the information website or call the company who makes the medication. The strattera information line has some great workers ready to answer all your questions. They are very polite and helpful.

Also it's age related. When my son turned 7 all of the sudden could swallow pills and it only took a couple of time to practice. This was not the case before when he was younger.

Regarding the emotional feelings your daughter is having, if they continue, you should speak with her doctor about switching her to something else. Maybe she could take it at night before bed.

I agree with Coopersmom. My son also couldn't swallow pills at age 6. But when he was 7 and he overheard me asking his also 7-year old friend, if he could swallow pills and the boy replied "yes", my son immediately said he is ready to try it again. And down it went, with no problems. Just make sure you don't force a child to swallow. It will backfire and will make it even more difficult.

I agree with Coopersmom. My son also couldn't swallow pills at age 6. But when he was 7 and he overheard me asking his also 7-year old friend, if he could swallow pills and the boy replied "yes", my son immediately said he is ready to try it again. And down it went, with no problems. Just make sure you don't force a child to swallow. It will backfire and will make it even more difficult.


Thanks to all for your advise and support. It is always nice to know that there are a lot of people who go through the same things I go through. There is nothing better than a support group!!

My son is 8 years old and has been taking Straterra since July 2003. We did not notice any improvement at first, so his dosage was increased to 40 mg. It began working wonderfully and he has had no problems at all until last week. He has began crying every morning before school and some during the day at school, but can't really explain why. Let me know if you find out anything about your daughter. This sounds very similar. I am contemplating taking him off the medication if this doesn't stop. He also has transient tic disorder, so he cannot take any of the stimulant medications.

I w/b interested in the suggestions for a 6 year old to swallow capsules, - any capsules for that matter, we are trying some others like ATTEND and Becalm'd ( we now have the chewable), but just for general knowledge - please. Thanks


My daughter has issues with taking capsules. She has been taking mediation everyday for about a month now and we place the entire capsule into a spoonful of yogurt. She knows the pill is there, of course, but swallows them now with now problem. Good luck

You wopuld think since so many children take these medications they could make them in a chewable or even a liquid, because the capsule are so tough for them to swallow.
We will try the yogurt thing - Thanks