Atomoxetine and Anger: What Users Say

• Dre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2020

Atomoxetine for ADHD "I have manic bipolar/anxiety/very poor focus, and I take this with Buspar 15 mg. It was really good the first 2-4 weeks. I could focus, I had a burst of energy. I felt so good, I could feel it working. I no longer had racing thoughts, I was so much calmer. But after the 4 weeks, my poor focus came back. I am now on 60 mg once a day and still feel nothing. I’m extremely agitated and annoyed with everyone, yet calm as hell still but waiting to blow if you get that. It definitely helps with impulsive behavior and calming the mind and feeling low, but maybe it’s the combination of pills I take because I swear I rarely feel low anymore. I've never been better, I just hate that it doesn’t work as potently as in the beginning."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2022

Atomoxetine for ADHD "Strattera almost ruined my life. First of all, it didn't help my severe ADHD at all. It caused me to have severe nausea every day, dizziness, insomnia every night, and it caused severe aggression and mood changes on just 40 mg for two months. The first day my doctor moved me up to 80 mg, it sent me into an induced psychosis state where I wound up fracturing my foot and dislocating my finger so bad that I may have to have surgery. I've been in a splint for almost two months now since that horrible night, and the scariest part of all is I don't even remember how it happened. It literally caused me to go insane. This drug was the worst drug I've ever taken, and it even warns you on the bottle, 'Warning: May cause mood changes'-boy, what an understatement. This medication made me so angry all the time. What they don't tell you about this medication is it can cause induced psychosis and violent behavior. It states that on the FDA website. I was only on Strattera for two months! Very dangerous drug!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2022

Atomoxetine for ADHD "Strattera almost ruined my life. First of all, it didn't help my severe ADHD at all. It caused me to have severe nausea every day, dizziness, insomnia every night, and it caused severe aggression and mood changes on just 40 mg for two months. The first day my doctor moved me up to 80 mg, it sent me into an induced psychosis state where I wound up fracturing my foot and dislocating my finger so bad that I may have to have surgery. I've been in a splint for almost two months now since that horrible night, and the scariest part of all is I don't even remember how it happened. It literally caused me to go insane. This drug was the worst drug I've ever taken, and it even warns you on the bottle, 'Warning: May cause mood changes'-boy, what an understatement. This medication made me so angry all the time. What they don't tell you about this medication is it can cause induced psychosis and violent behavior. It states that on the FDA website. I was only on Strattera for two months! Very dangerous drug!"

• spa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 25, 2014

Atomoxetine for ADHD "I had been on Strattera for 8 years. It did great, but within the last year things seemed to change. I thought it wasn't working due to my memory and concentration, but now, being off for about a month, I realize it was doing a lot. I am now having headaches, lack of motivation, losing temper easily, etc. My family and friends see a significant change in my behavior (Negative change). Concentration and focus have always been an issue on and off medicine, so I just have to work harder with it. I also realize it takes more than this medicine to really have success."

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2009

Atomoxetine for ADHD "I first started 18 mg once a day, no noticeable change. Then increased to 40 mg once a day, at first I seemed to just be calm and zombie-like with no change to my ADD. Then, 2-3 weeks later insomnia, paranoia, depression, rage, panic attacks, and severe anxiety consumed me so badly that I couldn't leave my house. I feared for my safety and the safety of others so I stopped the drug immediately! I was having thoughts of violence toward others and myself. I am a 28-year-old woman and was on no other medications and no other conditions besides ADD. I'd rather just deal with my ADD than all those scary feelings I've never had before."

• Aon...
• March 17, 2019

Atomoxetine for ADHD "I've been taking it for 8 days (it's not a long time, and it does take a while to actually get into effect), but so far, I've noticed that my mood has been slightly lower than normal, and I get angry easier. I also have been getting sensory overload, but I'm just gonna put that on the fact that I'm no longer on anxiety meds. This medicine takes 4-6 weeks to fully go into effect, and I will be waiting till then to see how it goes. Medicine works differently on everyone, so while some people think it's awful, others may think it's the best thing that's ever happened to them. If your doctor prescribes it, I suggest taking it and waiting till the 4-6 week mark unless it makes you physically ill, and even then, I would give it a week or two to see if it goes away. This kind of thing is normally hit or miss, and you might have to go through a few meds before you find one that is right for you. It has a lot of negative reviews, but the reviews that are good are saying that it's amazing, and you could be that person."

• bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2022

Atomoxetine for ADHD "I’ve (20F) been on Strattera for about 3-4 months. I started on 40 mg, had mild side effects but nothing awful, but I wasn’t seeing any improvement in my inattentive ADHD, so the doc and I decided to go up to 80 mg. Been on 80 mg for about 2 months now and it’s taking everything not to quit cold turkey before my next appointment with my doctor. My heart is constantly pounding and I’m overheating all the time. I am depressed and angry all the time. I need at least 12 hours of sleep to function, but I still feel tired and fatigued all the time. I also have been having awful and scary suicidal thoughts out of absolutely nowhere. I can eat, but I feel like I’m going to throw up all the time. I can do chores and work now, but at what cost??? Would not recommend."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2012

Atomoxetine for ADHD "37 female with freshly diagnosed ADHD. Doc let me try this for 1 month, Strattera. Saw clear improvement after 2 weeks at 40mg/day. I almost wanted to cry after finishing reading a scientific article in just 1 hour... Mental work is no longer painful. I think, I write, my brain is finally used to its potential. Cons: constipation, dry mouth, nausea, low appetite, strange sensation on scalp, easy to get angry, expensive, distant. But now my life is priceless --- knowing you could try your best."

• DDB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2019

Atomoxetine for ADHD "I started taking Strattera three weeks ago, and it has been awful. I started taking this because I had too many negative side effects with the stimulants. Strattera gave me mood swings, usually leaving me feeling depressed, anxious, annoyed, angry, etc. It also suppressed my appetite, which kept me from eating. It made me feel lethargic during the day, which kept me in bed and awake at night, which caused severe depression. I noticed no improvement in my ADHD symptoms. I have stopped taking Strattera."

• DDB...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 30, 2019

Atomoxetine for ADHD "I started taking Strattera three weeks ago, and it has been awful. I started taking this because I had too many negative side effects with the stimulants. Strattera gave me mood swings, usually leaving me feeling depressed, anxious, annoyed, angry, etc. It also suppressed my appetite, which kept me from eating. It made me feel lethargic during the day, which kept me in bed and awake at night, which caused severe depression. I noticed no improvement in my ADHD symptoms. I have stopped taking Strattera."

• KB8...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 13, 2015

Atomoxetine for ADHD "My 9-year-old son has verbal dyspraxia, sensory processing disorder, and ADHD. We tried Ritalin, which was okay for a year. We didn't give it to him on weekends and school holidays. Then this last term, the Ritalin started causing depression, aggression, mood swings, more headaches, and stomach aches. We stopped the Ritalin and saw an improvement, though he was still easily distracted and disrupting the class. The doctor then said we should try Strattera. From what I had read about it, I was not hopeful and expected bad side effects. To my surprise, it worked from day one. No side effects. He feels better and happier and is able to listen better, so less fights at home, and the teacher is happy with the improvement."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 1, 2023

Atomoxetine for ADHD "I started taking this god-awful drug when I was around 11 years old, just starting middle school. An 11-year-old child should never have to hear voices telling them to harm others or themselves, experience horrifying nightmares, and suffer from the terrible lack of sleep caused by insomnia. It felt like everything was blank, and I felt completely numb. I was like a zombie, devoid of any real emotions. Growing up, I thought I had anger issues as a kid, and to some extent, I did. However, this drug amplified my anger towards everything. I also struggled greatly with depression and had suicidal thoughts at such a young age. I came dangerously close to attempting it on multiple occasions, but fortunately, all my attempts failed. I am grateful for that, but no child or adult should ever be subjected to this medication. It made me feel absolutely awful, and I am still dealing with the trauma caused by the thoughts, voices, and memories I had as a child, even to this day. It took around 4 years to overcome some of the severe side effects from this drug as well. I apologize if my thoughts seem scattered, but I cannot stress enough: never take this medication. And please, ensure no child is subjected to it either."

• Hug...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 9, 2016

Atomoxetine for ADHD "Great stuff. Like any ADD med, if you have underlying depression or anxiety, I can see how this could exacerbate it. Caffeine used to make me super depressed. Take care of your depression before starting a stimulant. Anyway, this stuff is great. Vyvanse would make me super edgy and basically feel like ripping the world's juggler out with my bare hands. This stuff feels like that peak 5 minutes of coffee where you're like, 'damn, I wish this could last all day!' I sleep way better, I have a ton more energy. Things don't bother me as much as they used to, so I can focus on my work more. However, you should really work out to burn it off, otherwise, you could get a little aggressive. I know that I really don't put up with any shit while I'm on it."

• Smo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2022

Atomoxetine for ADHD "This is a nightmare. Between the irritability interfering with my ability to function, the sleeping for 16 hours a day, and isolation due to hiding from people thanks to above side effects, I have had it. It cured my anxiety and left me with depression and anger. I’m ready to quit cold turkey before my next appointment, it’s so bad. I wouldn’t wish this feeling on my worst enemy. There has been no change in ability to focus or anything ADHD-related despite taking 40 mg every evening. Don’t let anyone put you on this as a first-line medication unless you’re ready for all side effects and no relief from ADHD."

• Str...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2020

For ADHD "I barely have enough energy to keep my head upright (a 2-month-old has more success at this than me). I'm on 40 mg for 3 days, then up to 60 mg for 2 weeks. I am on my second day, and my heart feels like it will explode if I move a muscle, my brain feels like it’ll implode at any given second. I also have BPD, and I noticed that this drug increases suicidal thoughts and aggression. I can’t sleep for more than 1 hour at a time at night, and I feel like an overstimulated zombie despite this not even being a stimulant! More zombifying than alprazolam and somehow more stimulating side effects than desoxyn (methamphetamine). I HATE it. No meds I've been on have been this bad, and I've been on a lot. I can only say that it helps with impulse control because I can’t do anything impulsive if I can’t do anything at all! At 18 years old, this is not okay to be experiencing. Where is the zero-star rating when you need it?"

• LKR...
• August 14, 2016

Atomoxetine for ADHD "We started Strattera 10 mg, then 18 mg, then 25 mg for our 9-year-old. In the beginning, it was great, after about 5 days of each dose, it was clearly time to increase to the next dose, but now we have been at 25 mg for over a month, and the impulsivity and anger have gotten worse again over the past 2 weeks or so, and we can't increase the dose any further. Will be calling her doctor Monday to change to something else. An alarming thing to me is that she is also sad and crying a whole lot, which is new. This child never cried before."

• Pan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2019

Atomoxetine for ADHD "Was diagnosed with Asperger's after ADHD diagnosis. I'm a grown female, having experienced severe migraines at the back of my left skull the first time taking Strattera. Due to the colorings that are in these capsules, E numbers that cause aggression, anxiety, and hyperactiveness. I felt suicidal over Christmas, and no one would help. I was lucky I was used to adverse effects from all ADHD meds, worst decision I ever made starting on ADHD meds a year ago, for studying, and it has broken my mind. I have anxiety, depression, a severe black cloud envelops me. I force myself to wake up after taking sleeping pills, aware I must stop taking any, and they did something to my emotions, and I can't get better. Don't let your provider give you a cheap generic. I was allergic to the cheap fillers in generic ADHD meds, having an anaphylaxis shock at work. If you have anxiety, depression, or are on the autistic spectrum, please be careful."

• MrS...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 26, 2016

Atomoxetine for ADHD "My experience with this drug is a bittersweet one. However, the bitter side to it overpowers the sweet by a long shot. Since I was a kid, I've had behavioral issues, and it wasn't until I was in my mid-teens that they began to truly affect my way of life and my relationships with those around me. I had been taking bupropion in combination with sertraline and had no serious problems or complaints. However, when I started to wean off of the sertraline and began taking the Strattera, I began to get irritated and just downright pissed off for no apparent reason. The slightest things set me off, and it's only gotten worse with increased dosage. I'm gonna stop taking it altogether. Screw a bunch of this unprovoked anger stuff. It helps no one."

• A7m...
• January 31, 2016

Atomoxetine for ADHD "As I was reading all the comments when I first started taking Strattera, I ignored it in the beginning, and I've been on it almost a month now. Honestly, no advantages at all. My first week, I almost had a fight in a restaurant because a guy parked near my car, blocking it. I started throwing words at people I don't know. I became super aggressive and angry with everyone, my friends and family. I will see my doctor ASAP to get me out of this shit drug."

• A7m...
• January 31, 2016

Atomoxetine for ADHD "As I was reading all the comments when I first started taking Strattera, I ignored it in the beginning, and I've been on it almost a month now. Honestly, no advantages at all. My first week, I almost had a fight in a restaurant because a guy parked near my car, blocking it. I started throwing words at people I don't know. I became super aggressive and angry with everyone, my friends and family. I will see my doctor ASAP to get me out of this shit drug."

• Fel...
• May 11, 2020

For ADHD "My doctor started me on 2x 40 mg doses per day, which is a lot for 63 kg, but that's what she did. The first day, I feel tired but can't sleep, no energy or motivation, nauseated, and had a fit of anger and suicidal thoughts after the first dose. Flat personality. Painful burning orgasms. No appetite, hard time peeing. Not impressed. I don't know if I should try to suffer through another day or not. So far, I've tried this, clonidine, guafacine, and Wellbutrin. It's all garbage for me."

• Taw...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2018

Atomoxetine for ADHD "The first 2 months on it are awesome... focus, drive, energy... but I need a nap 5 hours after I take it. Then there’s a shift. I’ve done this twice: taking 80mg for 2 months, then all of a sudden, I’m angry. Agitated. Outbursting. Cannot focus to save my life... and exhausted. I’ve never tried Ritalin, but I may now."

• Nei...
• November 9, 2010

Atomoxetine for Depression "Strattera definitely helped my adult ADD and increased my focus. However, it does have a downside, a few actually. Male erectile dysfunction, sweating, rage (but I think now that I'm bipolar, depressed which may be causing it). You will definitely be able to focus better if you have minor ADD, but you will find that you can't sleep at night without a sleep aid (on Lunesta now). So the side effects are there, but it does do what it says it will. I'm going to try combining it with Pristiq and Lamotrigine to see if that is a good combination for the ADD/Bipolar/Depression."

• Sof...
• September 28, 2016

Atomoxetine for ADHD "I have Asperger's and ADD and started taking Strattera when I was about 9 or 10. And in just two months, I lost over 20 kg (44 pounds). I was so skinny, but I didn't change because I had tried everything else, and this was the smallest side effects I had so far. But after I quit just over a month ago (I'm 17 now), I realized that the medication had caused me to have severe depression for all my childhood. I'm really happy for the first time in forever. And the medication had made me more angry and restless than when not taking them."

• tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2015

Atomoxetine for ADHD "I had been on Ritalin for 10 years and found I kept increasing the dose every year or so. I went on this medication and got so sick. I was very angry and had urges to hurt people I cared about. It felt so weird, my hair felt like it was growing, a tingly feeling. Vision impairment, etc. I stopped taking this when I had such strong urges to strangle someone. Very scary. This medication is not for me."