Strattera is indicated for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6 and older, teens, and adults.
 

 

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Dosing Information

Strattera comes in oral capsules of 10 mg, 18 mg, 25 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, and 100 mg.

To help your body adjust to a new medication, you will initially take a lower dose and then switch to a target dose as directed by your healthcare provider. Strattera can be taken either as a single daily dose in the AM or as evenly divided doses in the morning and late afternoon/early evening as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Strattera can be taken with or without food. Strattera capsules should not be opened; they should be taken whole. Contents of the capsule can cause irritation.

Dosing Chart

Please see Important Safety Information and FDA Medication Guide.

Important Safety Information

Strattera is indicated for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6 and older, teens, and adults.

What should I talk about with the healthcare provider?
Child/Teen: In some children and teens, Strattera increases the risk of suicidal thoughts. A combined analysis of 12 studies of Strattera showed that in children and teens, 4 out of every 1000 patients developed suicidal thoughts, although no suicides occurred. A similar analysis in adults treated with Strattera did not reveal an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Call your doctor right away if your child has thoughts of suicide or sudden changes in mood or behavior, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose.

Child/Teen and Adult: In rare cases, Strattera can cause liver injury. Call your doctor right away if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you have any heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems. Your doctor should check you carefully for heart problems before starting Strattera. Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking Strattera. Rarely, sudden death has been reported in patients who have heart problems or heart defects. There have also been rare reports of stroke and heart attack.

What other important information should I discuss with the healthcare provider?
Child/Teen: Tell your doctor about any family history of bipolar illness (manic-depressive illness) or suicidal thoughts or actions before starting Strattera. Call the doctor right away if your child develops new psychological symptoms such as abnormal thoughts/behaviors and/or extreme elevated or irritable moods while taking Strattera.

Child/Teen and Adult: Erections that won't go away (priapism) have occurred rarely during treatment with Strattera. If you or your child has an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, seek medical help right away.

Who should not take Strattera?
Child/Teen and Adult: Strattera should not be taken if you:
  • Are taking or have taken within the past 14 days an anti-depression medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or MAOI
  • Have an eye problem called glaucoma
  • Are allergic to anything in Strattera

Can Strattera be taken with other medicines?
Child/Teen and Adult: Tell your doctor about all the medicines that you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Strattera and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Your doctor will decide whether Strattera can be taken with other medicines.

What are the possible side effects of Strattera?
Child/Teen: The most common side effects in children and teenagers were upset stomach, decreased appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, mood swings and slowing of growth in children.

Talk to your healthcare provider if your child experiences slowing of growth (height and weight). Children should have height and weight checked often while taking Strattera and your healthcare provider may stop Strattera treatment if a problem is found during these checkups.

Adult: The most common side effects in adults include constipation, dry mouth, nausea, decreased appetite, dizziness, trouble sleeping, sexual side effects, menstrual cramps, and problems passing urine.

Child/Teen and Adult: Other serious side effects include allergic reactions such as swelling or hives.

For more information, see the FDA Medication Guide.