Strattera - Why are so many doctors against it?

Strattera, like other psychotropic drugs, effects everyone differently. It works well for some and doesn't work for others. On the whole, it hasn't been as effective as stimulants and has had more side effects.

My son takes it. It works well for controlling the hyperactivity and elevates his mood a bit (which he needed). It hasn't been very effective in helping him concentrate. It took way more than 4 weeks to reach peak benefit. The side effects were somewhat troubling at first but have since disappeared.

My son took Strattera and it really did nothing for him. The second time we tried it they paired it with another drug and it still didn't work. The specialist told me she was actually glad it didn't work because of all the side effects but especially the liver problems it can cause.

Originally Posted by nickkaylee

My son took Strattera and it really did nothing for him. The second time we tried it they paired it with another drug and it still didn't work. The specialist told me she was actually glad it didn't work because of all the side effects but especially the liver problems it can cause.

Hi

I'm sorry it didn't work for your son. It's hard finding something that works right with little side effects.

My daughter has an appointment this month to check her liver and make sure everything is okay, but any of these medicines can effect the liver.

I hope you find something that works soon. Maybe you can try different meds over the summer and see what works that way he won't have any side effects while in school.

Chantel

15 year old daughter. Diagnosed in 5th grade. First on Adderall. Switched to Concerta so that she could take it only once a day. She is in 9th grade. 1st semester her report card was two As and two Bs. That is a huge accomplishment for her because academics are her LAST concern.

Problem, she was not eating enough. Doctor gave her six months to gain weight. She didn't. About 2 1/2 months ago we switched to Straterra. Long story short, as it relates to my daughters judgment, choices, impulsivity and performance at school, these have been the roughest 2 1/2 months ever. She currently has two Fs, one C- and I'm not sure of the other grade because that teacher has been out. I am in CONSTANT contact with each of her teachers and her principal. I have rules and there are consequences for her bad choices. Nothing has improved. It has been horrible!

Finally, her therapist and my therapist both suggested and recommended that we get a reevaluation of her meds by a psychiatrist who specializes in working with teens.

To paraphrase him.... Straterra has been around for many years and it has never been effective for ADD/ADHD. It is more effective for the treatment of depression. To which I asked "Then why did her pediatrician prescribe it?" He said "Because in the last few years it has been hyped as a new drug for ADD and adult ADD -- but it's not new -- and doctors bought the hype and started prescribing it for ADD/ADHD."

I was relieved and sad. Relieved to know that the reason my daughter was not improving was because the medication was doing NOTHING for her. Sad because we lost 2 1/2 months of good academic performance. Not to mention that she's been grounded for 90% of those 2 1/2 months due to making bad choices.

We started Dexedrine last Friday. She's getting caught up on her school work. She has calmed down. She is less impulsive. And, she can CONCENTRATE on her work at school. How great it was to hear "Mom, I got an "A" on a test!"

We have five weeks left in the semester. I am hoping, with both fingers crossed that it's enough time to undo the damage.

Good luck in your decision making. I know it's not easy.

I think Strattera is bad ESPACIALLY for people with bipolar, mania, and other depressive mood-disorders, because it aggravates it and amplifies the normal instabiltity people get with being bipolar, etc so be careful if you take strattera and are diagnosed with a type of depression, it can be a very UNPLEASANT for those people in particular and not worth staying on.

Originally Posted by Chantel2003

Hi again

Yes, Strattera DOES help with focus, paying attention, and doing multiple tasks. My daughter has ADHD which is Attention Deficit with Hyperactive Disorder. She doesn't have any problems being over active anymore. She needed the medicine to pay attention and be able to focus on what the teacher was tell her. She can now do that with Strattera. That's what I mentioned in my post to you.....she told me for the first time she understands things now and that she can concentrate better now. Her grades have gone from C's, D's, and F's to missing the honor roll by one C. So yes, it helps with all you mentioned above

Chantel

As with many others who have replied...........I was told that the Strattera would NOT help as much with the attention factor in ADHD. My 6 yr old son has ADHD and the effects are increasingly getting worse. He was (still is going through transition period) on Adderall. He started having tics and I became concerned with some of the things I had heard about the Adderall. I am now becoming concerned 1) that the Strattera will not be very effective for him 2) he has started complaining of nightmares and is scared to go to bed now because of it. He remembers the dreams and can't think of any reason other than the new medication that is causing these. 3) I don't want to be going back and forth like this with his medicine and messing with his brain chemically so much at such a young age. ANy help is appreciated.

Originally Posted by CienPorCien

As with many others who have replied...........I was told that the Strattera would NOT help as much with the attention factor in ADHD. My 6 yr old son has ADHD and the effects are increasingly getting worse. He was (still is going through transition period) on Adderall. He started having tics and I became concerned with some of the things I had heard about the Adderall. I am now becoming concerned 1) that the Strattera will not be very effective for him 2) he has started complaining of nightmares and is scared to go to bed now because of it. He remembers the dreams and can't think of any reason other than the new medication that is causing these. 3) I don't want to be going back and forth like this with his medicine and messing with his brain chemically so much at such a young age. ANy help is appreciated.

Hello

Am I understanding you right in saying that your son is on Adderall right now and hasn't tried strattera yet? I'm not really sure why so many people are told that straterra doesn't help with the attention part because my daughter has made a drastic change. I'm also not sure if your 6 year old would be able to take it. You may want to ask your doctor first.

Is he having nightmares with Adderral? My daughter used to have bad dreams too. I don't think it's just the Adderral. I think it has a lot to do with the medicine.... period. It is a medication that alters the brain, so I'm sure there will be some side affect to it.

Another question....how long has he been on the Adderral?