My 6 year old’s response to Strattera

Hi, I'm brand new to the board, and would just like some feedback from some of you.  About 2 months ago my son was diagnosed with ADHD and put on Strattera.  His Dr. gave us a starter pack (4 days of 18 mg, then 2 weeks of 25 mg, which was the target dose).  Within 2 weeks my son's behavior had changed so drastically I could not believe it.  This was like a DREAM!!!  He was doing so much better at home, and his daily progress reports from school were excellent.  We went for his follow-up appointment and told the Dr. how well things were going, so he wrote his prescription to continue taking Strattera.  Over the last 2 weeks he has gradually become more hyper and impulsive, and getting bad reports from school as well.  It's almost as if he's gone off the Strattera.  Has anyone else had this experience?  His next appointment isn't until the end of May, and I don't know if I should wait until then, or call now.  I don't know if the dosage can be increased, or if we will have to try something else.  The Dr. has told us before that most of his patients have had the most luck with Adderall.  Should we try it?  Thanks in advance for any responses you have.

Spoe323,

My 6 year-old has been on Strattera for nearly a year, and I do have to admit for the first few months- I was very impressed.  But then everything went down hill after that.  He was again getting into trouble at school (now in kindergarten, but he started on Strattera in pre-school).  At frst I thought the negative behavior was from his trying to adjust to kindergarten, but this school year is almost over and his behavior has just been getting progressively worse.  We also have an appointment with his doctor towards the end of this month and I do intend on questioning the Strattera, but I have never heard anything about Adderall or any of the many other medications. 

Have you ever had to deal with violent behavior from your child?  as this is the major problem that we are dealing with now.

I have the same thing.  I actuallly didnt see this post and started a new thread.  My son 5 is on Strattera 25 mg for 14 months.  The first few months were great and then he eventually began to get more hyper and fidgety.  Now it seems like his peak periods is from 9 AM to 2PM (he takes at 730AM).  I have brouight this up to the doctor and the phsycologist(sp?) and they both say this is not a KNOWN side effect of Strattera.  Along with that, my sons growth has slowed down a lot.  He is 34 pounds.  He was in 14 percentile at 4 year old check up and now he went down to his 5 percentile.  They told me growth problems also are not a KNOWN side effect of Strattera.  They want him to keep taking it and add Clonodine in the afternoon. 

Also my daughter 6 years old is taking 18 mg of Strattera and it does great for her schooling.  She has always been super smart and this gave her an extra boost and kept her IN her desk at school.  Her meds also start "wearing off" towards the end of the school day.  She has been on for about 7 months.