I am 41 y/o female who took straterra for 9 days. Quit taking it because it caused my heart to race/palpations. After stopping 1 week later I went to ER because my heart rate was 152. I have had a complete cardiac workup, my heart is healthy, but the heart rate is elevated. To make a long story short, My resting heart rate never went down. Now I have to take a beta-blocker to make my heart rate slow down. I have no history of heart problems. I am concerned that this medicine has caused permament damage to my heart.

4 weeks ago at my son's soccar game, one of the 6 y/o complained of shortness of breath and chest pain. The child has been on Strattera for 3 months. He has been off the strattera but his resting heart rate is sustained in the 130's. He wore a holster cardiac monitor for 24 hrs and at one point his heart rate was 212.

I am concerned more children may be experiencing cardiac problems and not be aware of it.
Does anyone else have similiar stories?
I am looking into obtaining a lawyer to get more restrictions on this medicine. It is horrible that a 6 year old will have cardiac problems. This medicine is targeted at children and I don't feel the company knows the full extent of this medicines side effects. :nono:

If anyone has children/themselves on Strattera , Just monitor your heart rate.

See what your heart rate is resting, when you aren't doing any exercise. Normal heart rate is 60-80 beats per minute. Check your heart rate when you do exercise. A child's heart rate may go up to 100- 125-130. But I would be concerned if a childs heart rate went higher than 140-150. If your resting heart rate is higher than 130, you need to contact your doctor.

If you stop taking Strattera, monitor your heart rate to see if it is a normal rate.

I hope others do not have this problem. But I do feel there is something wrong with this medicine. :wave:

I am 41 y/o female who took straterra for 9 days. Quit taking it because it caused my heart to race/palpations. After stopping 1 week later I went to ER because my heart rate was 152. I have had a complete cardiac workup, my heart is healthy, but the heart rate is elevated. To make a long story short, My resting heart rate never went down. Now I have to take a beta-blocker to make my heart rate slow down. I have no history of heart problems. I am concerned that this medicine has caused permament damage to my heart.

4 weeks ago at my son's soccar game, one of the 6 y/o complained of shortness of breath and chest pain. The child has been on Strattera for 3 months. He has been off the strattera but his resting heart rate is sustained in the 130's. He wore a holster cardiac monitor for 24 hrs and at one point his heart rate was 212.

I am concerned more children may be experiencing cardiac problems and not be aware of it.
Does anyone else have similiar stories?
I am looking into obtaining a lawyer to get more restrictions on this medicine. It is horrible that a 6 year old will have cardiac problems. This medicine is targeted at children and I don't feel the company knows the full extent of this medicines side effects. :nono:

Strattera is a norepinphrine re-uptake inhibitor. Norepinphrine is basically adrenaline, which explains increased heartrate.

I don't know that 9 days would cause permanent damage, but I know that drugs will have some lasting effects that fade with time as the brain/nervous system regains it's proper function. Those beta blockers are fine for now, but those must also be tapered down later carefully as things smooth out.

It is a shame young children may have to go through this sort of health crisis when these drugs are not tested for long term use.

Strattera is a norepinphrine re-uptake inhibitor. Norepinphrine is basically adrenaline, which explains increased heartrate.

I don't know that 9 days would cause permanent damage, but I know that drugs will have some lasting effects that fade with time as the brain/nervous system regains it's proper function. Those beta blockers are fine for now, but those must also be tapered down later carefully as things smooth out.

It is a shame young children may have to go through this sort of health crisis when these drugs are not tested for long term use.


Yes, norepinephrine will increase your heart rate, but it should return to a normal rate when the drug is out of your system. This has not occured with this medicine. In the clinical trials it did state some had sustained elevated heart rate. But this rate increase is unacceptable.

The beta blockers are needed to prevent cardiac enlargement from the heart being overworked. It has been since March 2004, that I have had to be on it. I have tried to stop it for one day to see what my heart rate is, and the next day it would be in the 120's just walking around.

Yes, norepinephrine will increase your heart rate, but it should return to a normal rate when the drug is out of your system. This has not occured with this medicine. In the clinical trials it did state some had sustained elevated heart rate. But this rate increase is unacceptable.

The beta blockers are needed to prevent cardiac enlargement from the heart being overworked. It has been since March 2004, that I have had to be on it. I have tried to stop it for one day to see what my heart rate is, and the next day it would be in the 120's just walking around.

I think the way alot of meds work is that the body does become dependant. THat's why the one day your heart rate was up....you can't just up and quit certain meds. I would say if you want to stop the beta blocker, it must be very slowly.

Yes, I've heard the "drug is out of your system so all should be well", but truthfully, I think drugs that target the brain leave their mark and that it takes awhile for real recovery to begin.

I got off benzos(Ativan) myself, and had elevated heart rate as a result as a withdrawal symptom. Mind you, the only reason I was on them was a reaction to codiene given to me for a cold..I had no idea what any of these types of "brain" drugs were.

I did find out eventually, but not intil I developed huge tolerance and terrible symptoms. Now I have some leftover sleep difficulites but still seeing improvement in that area. All other symptoms have basically disappeared.

The elevated heart rate went on for quite awhile, I'd say several weeks, and then re-appeared every once in awhile. This all was very confusing to someone like me who regularly exercised and had excellent heart rate/blood pressure before. So I knew it was temporary because of the benzos and tried alot of calcium and chammomile tea which seemed to calm it down a bit while I was recovering.

I'm not a doctor nor can I say you may have seen it calm down on it's own with some time just because mine did, so I can't say if you should quit the beta blockers. But if you do try, you will have to taper them off slowly since they have been calming your heartrate down and your body probably will need to re-learn that if it can.

It did go on it's own.

I am a RN, and have experience with medications. What concerns me so much is that this side affect is so extreme. It is dangerous and damaging! I can accept my heart damage a little bit easier than I can the damage done to a 6 year old. We don't know enough about this drug. My first symptom occured Jan. 2004 and I have been on medication since March 2004. You would think the heart and body would have returned to normal in 10 months! I am trying to warn others who are on this medicine. I don't want others to have the same symptoms as myself. It makes me want to cry to see a 6 year old who can't play a game of soccar without crying because his chest hurts!
This information will get out there. I believe there are others who have had similiar experiences. Children are unable to verbalize some discomforts to adults, expecially chest related difficulties.
I am going to contact school nurses to monitor children on this medication. I am also going to sue the company!
This will not be allowed to continue. It may take a year or two before anyone else hears of the suit, but believe me, it will happen!
I don't want any other children to go through what myself, and the other 6 year old I know have gone through.
I know you mean well, and I hope things improve, but I truly believe this drug is extremely dangerous. It may not happen to a large percentage of the population that takes the drug, but for it to be allowed to happen even to the small percentage is immoral and unethical!

I am a RN, and have experience with medications. What concerns me so much is that this side affect is so extreme. It is dangerous and damaging! I can accept my heart damage a little bit easier than I can the damage done to a 6 year old. We don't know enough about this drug. My first symptom occured Jan. 2004 and I have been on medication since March 2004. You would think the heart and body would have returned to normal in 10 months! I am trying to warn others who are on this medicine. I don't want others to have the same symptoms as myself. It makes me want to cry to see a 6 year old who can't play a game of soccar without crying because his chest hurts!
This information will get out there. I believe there are others who have had similiar experiences. Children are unable to verbalize some discomforts to adults, expecially chest related difficulties.
I am going to contact school nurses to monitor children on this medication. I am also going to sue the company!
This will not be allowed to continue. It may take a year or two before anyone else hears of the suit, but believe me, it will happen!
I don't want any other children to go through what myself, and the other 6 year old I know have gone through.
I know you mean well, and I hope things improve, but I truly believe this drug is extremely dangerous. It may not happen to a large percentage of the population that takes the drug, but for it to be allowed to happen even to the small percentage is immoral and unethical!

Well, I certainly have to agree with you here. I am a bit infamous in the forums here as I occassionally visit the ADD, depression, anxiety, etc. forums alot to give what I've learned through personal experience and research mainly on psychiatric medications. Not everyone agrees with me but basically I think the majority of these meds are not only over-prescribed, but dangerous to some people, especially kids.

Mania, heart and blood pressure problems, mood swings, urinary and sexual problems, diabetes, sleep disorders, GERD, and movement disorders, etc. are only a few of the side effects people seem to suffer on such meds like SSRi's, amphetamine, benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, etc. It's disgusting, especially when people on top of all that are being labeled with "mental illness" when they only may be depressed or have trouble in school.

I think anyone who is not psychotic and has a grip on reality is not mentally ill, yet everything out of normal behavior now is a mental illness according to the DSM psychiatric manuals, and it's funny how easily a doctor will diagnois such things when usually there other reasons not considered.

However, I'm even shocked at the possibility of permanent heart damage from one of these drugs. I've always believed drugs that target the brain can wreck havoc in brain function, which ultimately will effect the body. But I've always had the idea the brain, with it's wonderful survival instinct, could straighten things out after a chemical is gone....mind you, not overnight like doctors would like to tell you, but over some reasonable time period.

If what you say is true, this is shocking and horrible to think such a small time on a drug could cause such irreversable damage. I've believed they can cause damage all along, but truly what you are reporting about yourself and those poor kids is horrible and shocking even to me.

Thank goodness you are an RN because they may take you more seriously than most patients. I hope you succeed in your efforts to get something done about this!

Have you heard of Dr. Ann Tracy? She's got a site, is a PHD and apparentely for 15 years she's been warning of research and other evidence showing the dangers of psychiatric drugs. Just now, finally, what she's been saying all along is coming to light as the FDA has been investigating SSRi's for dangerous side effects; also, they found unpublished clinical trials on children showing unfavorable results with SSRi's....yep, drug co's were hiding important data from patients and docs alike so they could sell their drugs!

There was a lawsuit awhile back against the makers of Neurontin, and yes, they were found GUILTY of charges concerning the pushing of off-label uses for the drug which can prove dangerous. The whistleblower who brought this to light was smart and got tangible evidence beforehand, as many whistleblowers get pegged disgruntled and as liars. So he made sure that wouldn't happen; he kept written correspondance from his boss and also taped conversations!

Good luck, I really hope you stick it to them after what they have caused you and those kids to suffer....

Well... reading this thread in and of itself gives me anxiety and raises my heart rate. Maybe that's something to think about?

The concerns raised in this thread are very valid, though. The next time I see my doc I'm going to ask him about this.

Well... reading this thread in and of itself gives me anxiety and raises my heart rate. Maybe that's something to think about?

The concerns raised in this thread are very valid, though. The next time I see my doc I'm going to ask him about this.

You can, but there's a real good chance he'll downplay the whole thing by claiming the woman probably already had heart condition she didn't know about. Most docs will never blame the drug 99% of the time.

Then he'll say he has patients who don't have these symptoms. But alas, side effects and eventual health effects of these drugs show up at different times for different people; some have immediate reaction like this woman, others may not for several years. Then of course, they can claim that the drug wasn't to blame because the damage would have happened sooner....but as most know, health damage can be immediate or culmative, it varies from person to person, drug to drug, situation to situation.

My mother didn't start having certain side effects from the predisone she takes for an inflammatory condition for quite awhile, but later on they appeared. Other side effects happened right away, usually the most common are first to appear.

Hmmm...

On second thought I think I do have an elevated heart rate (and I started taking Strattera just a couple of days ago). I measured my pulse throughout the day, and on any given moment I'd have 100-120 beats in a minute! :eek: I think a call to the doctor tomorrow is in order.

Hmmm...

On second thought I think I do have an elevated heart rate (and I started taking Strattera just a couple of days ago). I measured my pulse throughout the day, and on any given moment I'd have 100-120 beats in a minute! :eek: I think a call to the doctor tomorrow is in order.

It will be interesting to hear what he has to say. Good luck!

I think the majority of these meds are not only over-prescribed, but dangerous to some people, especially kids.

However, I'm even shocked at the possibility of permanent heart damage from one of these drugs. I've always believed drugs that target the brain can wreck havoc in brain function, which ultimately will effect the body. But I've always had the idea the brain, with it's wonderful survival instinct, could straighten things out after a chemical is gone....mind you, not overnight like doctors would like to tell you, but over some reasonable time period.

Have you heard of Dr. Ann Tracy? She's got a site, is a PHD and apparentely for 15 years she's been warning of research and other evidence showing the dangers of psychiatric drugs. Just now, finally, what she's been saying all along is coming to light as the FDA has been investigating SSRi's for dangerous side effects; also, they found unpublished clinical trials on children showing unfavorable results with SSRi's....yep, drug co's were hiding important data from patients and docs alike so they could sell their drugs!
..

I think alot of medications are also overprescribed. It was so easy for me to get the medication. I knew what I wanted, where to go and asked for it. I told them all the right answers. But, I have also known that I may have ADD, have had it for along time, but just wanted to see if something new would "help".

I will look up the web site for Dr. Tracy, Thanks!

Hmmm...

On second thought I think I do have an elevated heart rate (and I started taking Strattera just a couple of days ago). I measured my pulse throughout the day, and on any given moment I'd have 100-120 beats in a minute! :eek: I think a call to the doctor tomorrow is in order.


It may be a good idea to write down on a piece of paper Time, Activity, and Heart Rate. Keep a journal for a short time to see what your heart rate is. This will help your doctor alot. I would try to keep a journal for a week. Also, make any comments such as Shortness of Breath, or Palpations, or any thing if you notice it.

Also, It would be interesting to see what your heart rate is if you do any exercise.

Let us know what you find out. I am glad you are checking it! :angel:

I tried contacting the doc, but he hasn't gotten back to me yet - I suppose I won't be able to reach him until the next appointment, which is in about a month. =/

I did talk to the pharmacist, though, and she suggested that I stop taking it so I will in the meantime.

I'll keep you posted if I remember to. ;)

What's this crap about strattera causing brain damage? Isn't that defeating the purpose??????????? Stuff like this confuses me, I wan't relief from my symptoms, not to cause further damage,,,, I guess I'll have to call the doctor tomorow, I'm terrified!

I tried contacting the doc, but he hasn't gotten back to me yet - I suppose I won't be able to reach him until the next appointment, which is in about a month. =/

I did talk to the pharmacist, though, and she suggested that I stop taking it so I will in the meantime.

I'll keep you posted if I remember to. ;)


I am glad you contacted the pharmacist! Be sure to keep a journal of your heart rate to see what it is doing. You'll have more information to give your doc when you see him next. Be sure to take it at regular times; When you first wake up, then at 8 am, 12 pm, 6 pm, and whenever you notice any symptom such as a racing heart or palpations. Take it also if you do any exercise.

Let me know how you are doing! :wave:

What's this crap about strattera causing brain damage? Isn't that defeating the purpose??????????? Stuff like this confuses me, I wan't relief from my symptoms, not to cause further damage,,,, I guess I'll have to call the doctor tomorow, I'm terrified!


Where did brain damage come from? :rolleyes: Is this a joke? LOL!

No, this topic is about cardiac damage! :jester:

I tried contacting the doc, but he hasn't gotten back to me yet - I suppose I won't be able to reach him until the next appointment, which is in about a month. =/

I did talk to the pharmacist, though, and she suggested that I stop taking it so I will in the meantime.

I'll keep you posted if I remember to. ;)

Please do keep us posted!

What's this crap about strattera causing brain damage? Isn't that defeating the purpose??????????? Stuff like this confuses me, I wan't relief from my symptoms, not to cause further damage,,,, I guess I'll have to call the doctor tomorow, I'm terrified!

Don't panic. Your doctor may decide you are manic or anxious and try to give you more meds for that!

Simply put, Strattera is a norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitor. Norepinphrine is basically adrenaline, that chemical which comes in handy for energy (and thus helps focus) and flight/fight response. But artifically stimulating it can have adverse effects on the nervous system, such as heart rate, and is an anxiety-producing chemical.

You aren't damaged, but I would consider ill health implications in long term use and read up on it a bit, maybe reconsider whether or not you really want to stay on it.....obviously, it does have the ability to cause health problems as pamperglitter has shown us.

Mini-update: Gonna get an EKG (???) done with the doctor soon. :o

Mini-update: Gonna get an EKG (???) done with the doctor soon. :o

Hi fuzzy,
The EKG will run a "strip" of your heart. It will show the rate and rhythm of your heart.
Just curious, what is your heart rate when you are sitting still? Count your pulse for one minute.

Let us know the results. :angel: