Trying Strattera | ADHD Information

Roxanne, I'd love to be kept up on how you make out. My daughter has had side effects from all stimulants also. We are currently using Daytrana and still deciding. Our next step is Strattera if we give up on the Daytrana. What kinds of side effects were you seeing on the Daytrana? I'd love to know how you find the transition from stimulant to Strattera.

[QUOTE=Roxanne2211]

I took it for a while so here's my advice...

We are giving up on Daytrana and hopefully stimulants for good. My ds (8) has had awful side effects from any of the stims we have tried . The Psych is REALLY confident that Strattera will work for him as he has ADHD and Social Anxiety .

What do I need to know about Stratterra ? what is ramping ?

You must increase the dosage slowly and let the body adapt to each amount before increasing again. I preferred 2 small doses to one large but that's a matter of preference.

does it really take 6 weeks to see results ???

Yes it does, sometimes as long as 8 weeks for the full effect. Some effects may kick in sooner but this drug takes time and you aren't giving it a fair chance unless you wait.

How will we survive ?? LOL

What if any side effects did you see ?

Many side effects. Try taking it with meals, that helps. The first few days on a ramped up dose may cause excessive sleepiness. Lower doses while ramping can cause mood swings. I had massive fidgeting, more than normal until the ramp was finished.The dry mouth may never dissipate--I found Werther's butterscotch helpful.

Don't let that dissuade you because most of the side effects will pass.

How has it helped?

It helped me sleep better. It worked as a mild antidepressant and since most antidepressants don't work well on me that was a bonus. It did nothing for me around the lack of focus.

or not ?

Thanks !

It's worth a try for sure. You will survive the ramp up period and then see how much [or not] your child improves. I stopped taking it because in combination with another drug I had to take for physical illness it went whonked. And never did I get back to my earlier experience with it *sigh*

[/QUOTE]Straterra has to be ramped from the lowest dose 10mgs to the target dose. Target dose is 1.2-1.8 mgsd per kilo of body weight. It DOES take 4-6 weeks after reaching target dose to see results, so 6-8 weeks total.

What do I need to know about Stratterra ? what is ramping ? does it really take 6 weeks to see results ??? How will we survive ?? LOL

What if any side effects did you see ? How has it helped? or not ?

Thanks !

Both of my kids take Strattera (one with a lower dose of stimulants for school) and we've been very lucky with side effects. My older son said his stomach hurt the first day he took it but of course we had told him that could be a side effect. He also said it interfered with his appetite so he takes it at night. Otherwise, we haven't had any side effects.

You do have to increase the dosage slowly and it can take 6 weeks to work, so you might have a rough adjustment. When we started my younger one on it, he had been on stimulants and we added a lower dose of strattera until school ended and then we cut the stimulants and increased the strattera to a weight appropriate dose for the summer. It was great all summer. It was WONDERFUL not worrying about whether he was eating or rebounding. Then school came along and we knew the strattera alone was not going to do the trick. So now he's on 10mg. Daytrana (he had been up to 40mg. of ritalin - side effects were out of control) with the Strattera and the side effects are bearable.

That's our story. I won't say it's working now because last time I did that he had an awful day the next day. My poor kid would be so much better off if his mom the jinx would just shut up!

My ds (6) has been on stimulants with horrible side effects, hallucinations, mood swings, and other abnormal behavior. We have tried both Focalin XR and Adderall XR. After the bizarre behavior last night I decided to stop giving him the Adderall and called the Dr. this morning. He told me we would have to take him off the stims and try something else. He told me to research Strattera and get back to him on Friday with my decision on getting a prescription or not. I have read some very scary side effects with it and am a little reluctant to try it. Can anyone tell me their experiences with this med and young children? HELP!!!!!

Day two on Straterra for my nearly 8 yr. old daughter. She has shown symptoms since she was 4. Only thing she is complaining of is tiredness, one of the common side affects. Like everyone says, I have to give it about a month to see. She is impulsive with violence, says she hates herself (has said that a few times only)but I think it is because of her behavior and getting in trouble allot at school. Inattentive, off task, but has made honor Roll (hard to believe with the ADHD. Anyone's child with a positive experience on Straterra please elaborate.