I have recently started taking Strattera for ADD, inattentive type. I also have anxiety with it. Stimulants did not work for me as they made my anxiety worse. So I started Strattera 5 days ago, the first 3 days I felt calm, a bit nauseous, strangely really focused, I had euphoric goosebumps all over my body at times but overall I felt like it was going to be the right medicine for me as my emotions felt stable and I felt like myself. By day 4 half day I felt some anxiety and a similar experience to the stimulants and had continued on into day 5. I am sleeping but not as many hours as usual. I feel nervous and irritable, maybe even angry and at times I don’t want to talk to anyone, I feel less excitement about things I’d usually enjoy which feels like depression on top. Then at times I’m OK but I’m more so feeling bad than OK. Can anyone tell me if these symptoms are common when commencing this medication and did those emotional responses get any better with time?
Thanks
Strattera 40mg per day - side effects?
Question posted by TalaTess on 23 June 2021
Last updated on 24 June 2021
Answers
I think there is a sweet spot with Atomoxetine that can vary depending on the individual.
I have found that if I take too little (25 mg) I feel a bit agitated. 40 - 50mg is sort of my sweetspot as a single dose. At that dose I feel calm, energized and focused. Some days when I'm busy or working a long shift I will dose twice during the day. 40 mg and then 25 mg 6 hours later. In that situation the latter 25 mg dose does not cause agitation because the 40 mg is still working somewhat.
Once I accidently took 100 mg and that put me in a rather bleak and foul mood.
Atomoxetine takes some getting used to and the extreme side effects both good and bad tend to level out the longer you're on it. 40 mg is the low end of what is considered a therapeutic dose for an adult and You should probably give that 2 weeks before drawing a conclusion. But by all means if You just find the side effects intolerable stop taking the medication.
If the medication is tolerable but side effects persist after a couple of weeks You may wish to speak with Your Doctor about experimenting with just 25 mg dose and then 50 mg to see which amount is better for You.
Take care for now and all the best.
Thanks for your answer, it was helpful!
I only have 40mg pack so I can’t take a smaller dose later on in the day. I’m assuming another 40mg in the afternoon would be too much for me too soon. I am still having trouble, on and off mood swings. Cranky. It sucks. I will call my doctor about it.
Really hoping it all levels out. I’m on break from work to get use to it.
I understand. Your Doctor may have prescribed brand name Strattera for good reason. And, yes, 80 mg may be too much in one day. Strattera is available in 10 mg, 18 mg, 25 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg or 100 mg capsules. Perhaps you could ask your Doctor to prescribe a lower dose of 10, 18 or 25 mg so you can experiment with finding the right dose.
Take care for now and all the best.
Related topics
strattera, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (adhd), side effect, stimulant
Further information
- Strattera uses and safety info
- Strattera prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Strattera (detailed)
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