I am on Strattera and I have tachycardia. I get regular blood pressure check and I am good so far. My doc gave it great consideration before putting me on Strattera. He didn't want me to take any stimulants. So far I am fine and I run and exercise without any adverse effects.
Like edbson said, cautions with any meds.
This is why an EKG, EEG's and bloodwork should be done before using any meds.You're not saying anything that the warning labels on Strattera hasn't already said. A lot of meds are not safe for Heart Patients.My opinion...
Strattera is NOT safe for people with heart disease. It has been well established that it increases the heart rate and causes high blood pressure in subjects taking it compared to placebos. Remember, Strattera stays in your body for about 48 hours so if you're having rapid heartbeat, you're stuck with it until it leaves your body and during that course, you have a higher risk of a heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest.
In prescribing information, it said, "Adults — Sudden deaths, stroke, and myocardial infarction have been reported in adults taking atomoxetine at usual doses for ADHD. Although the role of atomoxetine in these adult cases is also unknown, adults have a greater likelihood than children of having serious structural cardiac abnormalities, cardiomyopathy, serious heart rhythm abnormalities, coronary artery disease, or other serious cardiac problems. Consideration should be given to not treating adults with clinically significant cardiac abnormalities.
Assessing Cardiovascular Status in Patients being Treated with Atomoxetine
Children, adolescents, or adults who are being considered for treatment with atomoxetine should have a careful history (including assessment for a family history of sudden death or ventricular arrhythmia) and physical exam to assess for the presence of cardiac disease, and should receive further cardiac evaluation if findings suggest such disease (e.g., electrocardiogram and echocardiogram). Patients who develop symptoms such as exertional chest pain, unexplained syncope, or other symptoms suggestive of cardiac disease during atomoxetine treatment should undergo a prompt cardiac evaluation."
Short acting Ritalin remains a much safer alternative as it is reported to cause less palpitations and less rise in blood pressure compared to other drugs, even Strattera and Wellburtin and imipramine. This is not to say Ritalin is risk-free... there's a chance it will cause a heart attack or sudden death or stroke but it is much smaller than Strattera or Wellburtin. Some people are so sensitive to Ritalin and would have palpitations or their blood pressure skyrocket. Usually, they are the ones that have pre-existing anxiety disorders. That's why Ritalin prescribing informmation advised against giving it to people with anxiety.
Besides, Strattera is known to cause suicidal thoughts and imagine the pure suicidal terror that persists for many many hours which gives patients an opportunity to kill themselves while on Ritalin, while rare, would subside within two hours and easily managed.
Ritalin has been around for over three decades and it was taken by millions of people. The safety profile is remarkable - you could easily know all the names of people who died from Ritalin beacuse it's so rare despite millions of people taking it. Strattera came out fairly new and already, there are reports of deaths due to Strattera.
Just because Strattera is not a "stimulant" does not make it safer. When you look at the safety profile, Strattera is much worse and more deadly to heart-diseased patients.