questions concerning Strattera

My 7 year old son is on Straterra - he's 63 lbs and we recently tweaked his dose up to 36mg/day (up from 25).  Because my son is predisposed to tics, we selected Straterra for its "non-stimulant" properties, and also due to his tics and an overall sensitivity to meds, we are trying to keep the dose as low as possible while still reaping the benefits it provides.  I believe the recommended dose for a child my son's weight is around 50 mg/day.

To make a long story short, as we slowly increased his dose (from an initial 10 mg/day), we began dosing at night as we noticed a tiredness develop on an 18mg dose.  We've since dosed him at night until a week ago when he asked me to start giving him a pill in the morning because he was starting to feel a bit out of control during the day at school.  I had also begun to feel that it was time to up his dose (he was on 25mg/day), so I spoke to the Doc and suggested we try 18mg in the am, and 18mg in the pm (total 36mg/day).  So far we like this arrangement the best.  He seems more steady in his good behavior.  Before, when we dosed at night, we noticed extreme mood swings between 4pm and 7pm.  He'd easily frustrate, have really involved tantrums, etc.  Since the Straterra is supposed to be a 24 hour time release, I hadn't considered this behavior to be a "let down" of sorts that you see with other meds.  But, sure enough, that behavior has all but disappeared in the last few days.

He's also had enough Straterra in his system for a while now, that I think he's acclimated to the drug, and doesn't experience the tiredness that he once did.

As long as your doctor is willing to work with you and shows flexibility, I encourage you to tweak the meds to optimize their beneficial results as well.  I'm really glad our doc is willing to listen to me and consider my suggestions.  After all, I (like all  you other parents) see him every day.  I have a good feel for what affects him and how.

Good luck to you.  I really like the Straterra, it has been a Godsend for my son.

When I had to up the dose from 25mg to 40mg at night, I asked the doctor if it should be given in the morning, why in the evening.  She said the recommendation was that it be given after the biggest meal of the day because of the fact it can cause loss of appetite. 

The 2 times I gave it in the morning, there was no problem with loss of appetite at lunchtime, but he was very sleepy.  I am thinking that giving an AM dose might allow a decrease in the amount of medication given.  I don't like the idea of my 6 yr old being so medicated at night, especially when he already was a sound sleeper.

My son has already been on this medication since June, so his body should be used to it by now.

I am thinking of asking the doctor if we can go down to 10 or 18mg in the morning and see how it affects his school performance. 

My son is taking Straterra 40mg at bedtime.  He was previously on 25mg when school started this summber (also at bedtime) But the teachers felt he was not getting enough effect in the day at school.  So I asked the doctor for an increase and she was willing.

Then, we were on vacation last week and I happened to give it (the 40mg) in the daytime after missing it a couple of nights.  It really snowed him and he slept right through church and was not himself all day.  That really surprised me.

I am really anxious for this child to be on the lowest dose possible in order to help him.  I read that others give it in the daytime.  So I tried going back to the 25mg given in the daytime today.  This also made him quite lethargic and tired.  I am wondering if an even lower dose given in the daytime might have the best effect and eliminate the need for the higher doses.

I would like to know what others experience with Straterra is.  How much is your child on and when do you give the dose?  My son's doctor is willing to work with us, but I have to give her input.  I would like to stick with the Strattera since it is a non-controlled substance.  

My daughter 7 weight is 45 pounds, takes 25mg in the morning.  Works welll for her at school.  She needs for impulsivness and focus.

My son 6 weight is 40 pounds takes 25mg in morning also is on Dexadrine.  He is ADHD and I mean HYPER.  The combo works well for him.

bad side effects we have seen are weight loss (or havent gained while on it).  We noticed after taking it for a long period of time the effects start to wear off or my kids bodies get used to it.  Well, to solve that problem, we take the kids off of it for the summer (God bless my patient soul) and restart a couple weeks before school starts again.  This works for us.  My daughter has used Strattera for 1 1/2 years and my son has used for 2+ years.  we like strattera, it has been a life saver for us. 

I give my daughter Strattera 40mg at night and Concerta 27mg in the morning to give her a little more boost for school.  The teachers say shes doing fine for them.