Strattera Atomoxetine. What is Strattera?
Strattera is a highly selective potent inhibitor of presynaptic noradrenaline transporters. It is not a psychostimulant. It’s not related to amphetamine derivatives. The active ingredient is atomoxetine.
What is Strattera used for?
The drug is prescribed for the therapy of neurological behavioral disorders in children, adolescents, and adults.
When to take Strattera?
Strattera is taken orally in the morning, during breakfast. If necessary, the medicine can be taken twice a day: in the morning and in the afternoon.
The initial dose for adolescents and children weighing less than 70 kg is 0.5 mg/1 kg of weight. The dosage is maintained for 1 week. Later on, if necessary, the dose can be increased. Gradual dosage escalation scheme: 1.2/1 kg/24 hours.
The total daily dose for children or adolescents weighing more than 70 kg is initially 40 mg. The dosage is maintained for 1 week. Increasing the dosage depends on individual tolerance and body response.
The maintenance dosage is 80 mg. The maximum dosage is 100 mg. The duration of therapy is determined on an individual basis. In some cases, therapy lasts for many years.
Strattera side effects
In children and adolescents during treatment, adverse reactions may be observed in the skin; CNS; blood vessels; gastrointestinal tract.
Complaints may be associated with skin itching. Dermatitis may also be among the side effects. Complaints from adolescents may be associated with slower reactions, a state of drowsiness, irritability. Children and adolescents may also complain of headaches, eye pain, or dizziness.
In children of primary school age, an increased heart rate may be observed. Less frequently, orthostatic hypotension develops against the background of noradrenergic activity of the active substance.
Some adolescents and children have impaired appetite. Against the background of taking Strattera, weight decreases. Sometimes dyspeptic phenomena are present.
In adults, unwanted reactions against the background of Strattera medication are manifested in the gastrointestinal tract (patients complain of increased gas, abdominal cramps, cramps, belching) and excretory organs.
Appetite worsens and the mouth becomes dry. Some patients complain of abnormal stools. Sometimes in adults, there are changes in the central nervous system: spontaneous awakenings or dizziness.
Due to the fact that the drug affects some parts of the brain that are responsible for appetite, patients take Strattera to lose weight. Do not do this without a recommendation from your doctor.
Contraindications to the use of the drug?
Strattera is not used if you have an allergic reaction to the product's components. Also, the remedy should not be taken in the case of pheochromocytoma; closed-angle glaucoma;
concomitant use of MAO inhibitors (only 2 weeks after the last MAO inhibitor use is permitted).
It’s categorically not recommended to take the drug for people with severe organic cardiopathology: otherwise, sudden cardiac death is observed.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the drug is allowed to take only if the risk to the child is insignificant.
What happens in an overdose?
When the recommended dose of Strattera medication is exceeded, motor activity increases in some patients. Some children, adolescents, and adults experience seizures, heart palpitations, and dry mouth.
Treatment consists in eliminating the symptoms of overdose. In acute intoxication, the stomach is flushed, vital functions are monitored, and symptomatic and supportive therapy is prescribed.
Additional information about Strattera Medication
During the use of Strattera Medication, some patients have suicidal thoughts. Symptoms of withdrawal symptoms do not appear after the end of therapy.
Therapy with the drug is discontinued when convulsive seizures, urticaria and Quincke's edema occur.
In some cases, the drug has a hepatotoxic effect: patients complain about the occurrence of jaundice symptoms.
Administration of the drug is discontinued upon laboratory confirmation of hepatic dysfunction.
Patients taking the drug as part of therapy for neurological behavioral disorders require systematic monitoring of aggressive and hostile manifestations. When delusional or manic syndrome and psychotic reactions occur, patients are treated as inpatients. For akathisia and panic attacks, patients also need systematic monitoring.
