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STRATTERA
Strattera is the brand name for Atomoxetine – a non-stimulant drug approved
for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Its advantage over stimulants for the treatment of ADHD is that it has less
abuse potential than stimulants, is not scheduled as a controlled substance and
has proven in clinical trials to offer 24 hour coverage of symptoms associated
with ADHD in adults and children.
Strattera was originally intended to be a new antidepressant drug; however,
in clinical trials, no such benefits could be proven. Since norepinephrine is
believed to play a role in ADHD, Strattera was tested and subsequently approved
as an ADHD treatment.
Strattera Side effects
The most common side effect in adults is drowsiness. Some users become
exhausted after a short while after taking the pills, and can sleep for up to
10+ hours. Others who use Strattera have also reported feeling lightheaded, or
dizzy. Mild hallucinations have been reported under high doses (300mg).
Also very common is digestive discomfort, such as heartburn. The most common
side effects in children and adolescents (and, after drowsiness, in adults) are
upset stomach, nausea, and vomiting. The medication's tendency to decrease
appetite may contribute to this problem, as taking Strattera on an empty
stomach is usually discouraged; it can also be a problem in itself, in the form
of hunger pangs. Consumption of dairy products can cause further upset.
A significant minority of adult male patients taking Strattera suffer minor
to severe sexual side effects, including erectile dysfunction, retrograde
ejaculation, painful orgasm, and the decoupling of orgasm from ejaculation,
wherein ejaculation takes place up to ten seconds before or after orgasm.
Two confirmed cases of liver injury have been reported by Eli Lilly and
Company. In both cases upon discontinuation of atomoxetine, patients' liver
functions returned to normal.
Psychiatric
reactions associated with Strattera
In September 2005, Strattera was determined to increase risk of suicidal
thoughts among children and adolescents; one attempted suicide and five cases
of suicidal thoughts were reported out of 1,357 young patients taking
Strattera, while none were reported out of a control group of 851 taking
placebos. The FDA has required that black box warnings be placed on all
antidepressant medications warning they may result in increased risk of
suicidal tendencies in children and adolescents; therefore, Strattera bears
such a warning.
In less than three years on the market, 10.988 adverse "psychiatric reactions" have been reported to the manufacturer for the ADHD drug Strattera (According to the British Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MRHA), as of January 2006)
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