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Strattera User Reviews & Ratings

Strattera has an average rating of 5.3 out of 10 from a total of 521 reviews on Drugs.com. 38% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 40% reported a negative experience.

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ADHD  
5.3
521 reviews for ADHD 44 medications
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Reviews for Strattera

  • Juicey...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 1, 2021

For ADHD "I am a 28-year-old female with the inattentive type ADHD. For a long time, I was on 30mg of Adderall, and to say the least, it ruined my life. After 5 years of being on that crappy drug, I wanted to try a non-stimulant. My doctor prescribed me 40mg of Strattera. At first, the side effects were terrible. My mood swings were terrible, I felt dizzy, sleepy, constipated, and had a loss of interest in sex. The side effects only lasted around 2 weeks... then came the good part. All these side effects subsided, and I noticed how calm I was. Usually, I'm on edge. I also noticed that I'm more attentive to the things I need to take care of at home and work. I enjoy sex more than I did before, and I'm sure this med has helped me become closer with my fiance again. If you are suffering from ADHD and don't like stimulants, please give this med a chance. It is well worth it!"

9 / 10
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  • Estef...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 20, 2021

For ADHD "I'm a 31-year-old male. I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder comorbid with ADHD. My doctors hence refused to give me stimulants, so they offered Strattera, and it worked like magic on the first day. No side effects. I feel more alert, more energized, and can continue to focus even during boring tasks. The real benefits are supposed to appear after 4 weeks. If after 4 weeks Strattera really does improve my ability to concentrate and my motivation even more, I would be really impressed. I will be updating this review as time goes."

10 / 10
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  • Anony...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 2, 2020

For ADHD "This Strattera is the best ADHD medication I've had so far. It takes a LONG time to kick in. I was supposed to feel the full effects a month into taking it, but I didn't get them for maybe 2-3 months. However, it was worth it for me. Instead of just giving me energy and turning me into an emotionless robot like stimulants, it reworked my brain. My whole brain functions better now. I don't procrastinate, and I can pay attention and work better. I have branched out into different hobbies because it gives you motivation. This is in effect 24/7 because it doesn't leave your system or wear off like stimulants. Now, the side effects. I still zone out and dissociate. There is a decrease in appetite (not as bad as the stimulant in that area, though). I have vivid dreams/nightmares. I feel tired often, and nap a lot. Also, I feel more depressed in general. None of these side effects are very severe, but they can be difficult at times. However, I really do recommend giving Strattera a good chance."

7 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 9, 2021

For ADHD "I'm a 26-year-old AFAB (assigned female at birth) person, and I never thought I had ADHD until very recently. My spouse was diagnosed with hyperactive ADHD, and while we were researching it, I realized all the symptoms for inattentive ADHD matched me. I mentioned it to my psych, and after some tests, he diagnosed me with ADHD and put me on Strattera. It didn't kick in until week 4 for me, and up to that point, I had an upset stomach for about 30 minutes every morning right after I took the pill. But the nausea went away, and I began realizing that suddenly everything was so much easier to do. I started to notice how much time I was saving at work and doing household labor because I no longer got distracted or had to hype myself up for an hour before doing a basic task. I just would think 'I should do this thing' and then immediately take care of it."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 26, 2023

For ADHD "At 32 years old, I was diagnosed with ADHD, which was a huge relief. I had always known that I felt different, and my behavior throughout childhood was questionable. It's sad to think that ADHD was never a recognized condition for girls back then. If it had been, I believe my childhood would have been very different. Strattera has changed my life. All the noise in my head, impulsiveness, procrastination, and extreme exhaustion have stopped. I no longer dread the days ahead or count down the minutes until bedtime. I am truly enjoying life. This drug is not a miracle, but when combined with positive steps, it has made me realize that I am equal. I no longer feel like an imposter or am terrified of social situations. The initial side effects I experienced were fatigue, nausea, and loss of appetite. However, for me, these side effects were preferable to continuing down a path of self-destruction and the inability to exercise self-control. If you are starting this drug, stay strong and have faith."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 14, 2021

For ADHD "I am on Strattera 40 mg once a day for one week, then twice a day (80 mg) after. I'm 33 years old. Never been treated for ADHD before now. I have terrible anxiety, among other things. Today is day three on Strattera. I feel drunk when I take it. I don't like alcohol normally, but this feels like I drank too much. The first few hours are difficult. My chest feels heavy, and my body is tingling. I have constant goosebumps. I don't think it's supposed to be like this. Any advice??"

2 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 21, 2021

For ADHD "After 10+ years of unsuccessful psychotropic medications for various misdiagnoses and 11 years of therapy, my brain is quiet. At one point I was worried it wasn't working, but then realized I was only bored because I had actually finished all my tasks. I upped the dosage VERY slowly (over months) and have not had noticeable side effects other than nausea, which doesn't even occur if I eat beforehand. I recommend therapy on top of meds and sticking with it for months to give it a chance to work - finally having enough time to start living and not just surviving/the realization of what normal is can be an overwhelming process. Best of luck to you all!"

9 / 10
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273 Report

More FAQ

  • Subie
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 13, 2021

For ADHD "I’m a 26-year-old female, and I’ve been on 25 mg of Strattera for 5 months, so I feel that it’s safe to say this drug is SLOW. The results take a couple of weeks, and they are not too noticeable day-to-day. The definite way I know it’s working is when I look back on the last couple of months and see what I’ve gotten done since then. I’m doing a lot better at my job with a lot fewer errors, and my manager even told me to 'keep doing what I’m doing, you’ve made barely any mistakes in the past couple of weeks.' I’ve been painting and making art a lot more consistently. Chores still suck, and I procrastinate, but I can actually follow through on tasks. Please give it a chance past the days of weird night sweats, sluggishness, and stomach discomfort. It can be worth it. It’s not dramatic, but it’s enough to make a difference."

9 / 10
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  • Hano
  • November 19, 2019

For ADHD "I’ve been on Strattera for almost a year. I am a 23-year-old female with ADHD. It took about two months to finally fully work, but when it did and I got over the side effects, I loved it. You will experience some nausea and stomach pain in the beginning and sweating or feeling lightheaded if you don’t take it easy. I recommend eating lightly with it and make sure you drink water so your stomach acid isn’t going toe to toe with extended release. You may vomit if you don’t take it with a little food. Give it time. I focus easily now, and my life has drastically improved. I’m getting my master's and work full time, and the medicine also regulates appetite and seems to raise the metabolism. Good luck!"

8 / 10
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  • MXL
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 16, 2020

For ADHD "I am 44F, have been on Strattera for 19 months. It took about 6-8 weeks to feel my best. After adjusting strengths, I eventually stayed on 60 mg. Focusing and memory is much better. Strattera is off-label prescribed as an antidepressant. Instead of trying Cymbalta, I recently chose to increase Strattera to 80mg first. It's been one week and my mood seems a little better. I have been really tired, not so tired that I don't get anything done. Caffeine seems to increase my heart rate. I have noticed acne breakouts on my face, chest, and back which did not occur with 60mg. Mostly on my face. I may be the exception. Strattera is worth a try if you don't want to try stimulants like Adderall. I wish you well on the arduous journey of finding the right med for you."

8 / 10
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  • Jen
  • December 11, 2019

For ADHD "Game changer for me. 60mg for ~3y. Not a magic bullet, but without it, I couldn't be self-employed. I still lose days immobilized or where all I can do is a few emails, but compared to weeks of incapacity without it. For example, without meds, I can sit for hours thinking: 'I need to do the dishes [add mental distraction here & repeat].' Now I can go from thought to action; just get up and do the dishes! When I don’t take it, negative self-talk starts in my mind, from how frustrating it is to never shift from thought to action. I can really tell the difference. Advice: 1) REALLY important, titrate dosage up SLOWLY, for example, a few weeks or a month with 20mg, then 40mg, etc., to reduce any side effects. Don’t go too fast or start on the full dose. 2) I can't take it until AFTER I eat enough and wait for my digestion to awake, or I get nausea. I can’t just take it WITH food on an empty stomach or even just AFTER breakfast. So I eat oatmeal and take the pill later after mid-morning snack. Otherwise, I’d rate it 10/10."

9 / 10
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  • Obses...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 3, 2014

For ADHD "Nothing would quite fix me. Not antidepressants, or therapy, or Adderall. Depressed all the time, screaming on the inside. Had days I literally could not do anything. Unfocused at work, hated my job, life, and wife. Changed psych doctors, prescribed Strattera, titrated more slowly than the sample pack, got up to 60 mg. Way happier. Less sensitive - don't get hurt easily. Take criticism better. Wife notices a big difference in mood - always thought it was depression. It's ADD and Strattera is perfect for it. Just hope it keeps working!"

9 / 10
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  • BTano
  • August 5, 2019

For ADHD "Do not let negative online reviews and personal anecdotes prevent you from trying Strattera if suggested by your doctor! Side effects: at first, I had some nausea, alleviated by taking after food. Now, after seven weeks, I take it at bedtime and have no side effects. I can already notice a real difference! I tried Strattera last year but only took it sporadically for a few weeks, not giving it a chance to build up to a steady state and take effect. This time, I have not missed a dose, and I am now at the full dosage for me (100 mg). In the past, I was prescribed Adderall. I was concerned that Strattera would not work for me because I had already experienced the rush of the onset of a stimulant medication. Adderall also affected my emotions/behavior in negative ways. Strattera is an entirely different experience. Even when I do not notice its benefits in the moment, I can look back at my day or week and see the difference in my attention/focus."

8 / 10
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  • Colle...
  • December 3, 2014

For ADHD "I had taken Adderall, Concerta, and other ADHD medications which all caused me to lose my appetite, get moody, or come down from it, and I felt I wasn't able to be myself. Strattera took a few weeks to kick in. I fell asleep constantly for the first two to four weeks. I know lots of people jump the Strattera ship then, saying it is not working or making them sleepy, but after 4 weeks, I started to feel like myself again. Except my mind got clearer, I could organize my room and now apartment, do all my school work, do everything I need to do, have better conversations, and do not binge eat. I take 40mg and have had no side effects from it. It also helps my anxiety. It is my miracle."

10 / 10
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  • Sara...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 19, 2024

For ADHD "I've previously gone into psychosis, and my brain has changed, so I can't be on stimulants like Adderall. We tried Qelbree, but it had no effect on me. We started Strattera about 3 weeks ago, and it has done WONDERS. I didn't have an immediate reaction to it, but around 2 weeks, it was extraordinarily obvious how much of a difference it made. Before, I was doing 10 things at once and only partially finishing all of it, leaving everything a total wreck. I had horrible ADHD paralysis. I love to read and couldn't even focus long enough to finish a page. It's gotten extremely bad as I've hit 30. Just give it a good try and wait at least 2 weeks to gauge your results, it is most definitely worth it. And all the negative reviews? Just remember, people are always more likely to post a bad experience vs. a good one."

10 / 10
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  • Lizard
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 10, 2020

For ADHD "I have been taking Strattera 40 mg for a couple of months now and so far, so good. The main thing that I have noticed is how much calmer and less restless I am. I am not as easily irritated, I've been sleeping better, I talk slower, I interrupt less, and I fidget less. My cravings for salty, sugary, greasy foods have also decreased substantially, and I am more inclined to eat healthy and more nutritious or filling food. I have not noticed many effects on my attention span, so even though my body has slowed down, my mind still feels like it is zooming right along. For this, I have been prescribed a low dose of Vyvanse at 10 mg to take every so often (I took 40 mg Vyvanse for a few years prior to starting Strattera). I am also on 150 mg of Wellbutrin."

8 / 10
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  • Mother...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 23, 2019

For ADHD "Our daughter started taking this medication in October for ADD after failing school. After a month, we noticed a huge change in her ability to focus and obtain excellent grades. She was finishing her work in class and doing extremely well compared to before Strattera. She just made honor roll and never fights or complains about school work anymore. Our only concern is that we’ve noticed our 11-year-old losing weight. She is skin and bones and has dropped a clothing size. She says that food isn’t good anymore and has to basically force-feed herself. I’m afraid we may have to stop the medication if this doesn’t improve, which is unfortunate because it has so many great benefits and has changed our lives."

9 / 10
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  • Gano
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 17, 2019

For ADHD "Strattera is a wonderful alternative to stimulants. While unmedicated, I would consistently have brain fog and I would never be able to focus. I would frequently have to ask others to repeat themselves as I would always drift off mid-sentence. I never experienced hyperactivity. Every stimulant medication I tried (Adderall, IR Ritalin, Concerta) all resulted in anxiety and loss of personality. With Strattera, I feel as if the fog has cleared, while also maintaining my regular self - the most 'normal' I’ve ever felt. I’m currently on 80 mg a day weighing 175 lbs. It took my body roughly 5 weeks to become fully adjusted to the medication and receive the full benefits. Just make sure to always take this medication on a full stomach or you’ll probably experience some nausea. Also, the first couple of weeks I felt a little more agitated than usual, but this passed after the first few weeks. Give this medication a chance, especially if stimulants give you anxiety!"

10 / 10
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  • Ramsay
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 12, 2021

For ADHD "I started Strattera 1.5 weeks ago. I started to feel the effects after 4 days. The effects were not subtle. It makes completing tasks easier and I can flip the switch between focusing and not focusing with less effort. I imagine this is what it would feel like to be normal. I am also prescribed 60mg of Adderall which I haven't been taking since being on Strattera. Strattera so far is more effective for me than Adderall. I feel more alert and less tired. It is easier for me to sit down and focus and I get less distracted. The frustration I normally feel when I don't take Adderall that comes from procrastinating and not following through is gone. At my next appointment I will be moving my Adderall prescription down to 30mg. I wish I had been prescribed Strattera as a kid instead of Ritalin and Concerta. It would have been a better choice for growing up on an ADHD medication and affected my personality less than stimulants."

9 / 10
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  • JDano
  • November 11, 2019

For ADHD "Background: I was diagnosed with ADHD in my 20s and was started out on Strattera at 40mg. Now I'm at 80mg. Also, take with food or you may feel nauseous. Note: These are my own observations, your experience may vary. Pros: - It gives me an insane amount of energy and direction. Drives me off the bed/couch to more constructive outlets. - It makes me hyperfocused at 80mg and decently focused at 40mg. - There is no crash like amphetamines. Cons: - Some mild sexual side effects that disappear over time. - Weight loss - lack of appetite (Pro if you struggle with your weight? - just make sure you eat!) - Zombie effect - I noticed some kind of dulling of my emotions. i.e., my lows are not as low, but my highs are not as high. - Cottonmouth/dry throat. I'm constantly drinking water. - Possible sleep disruption if you take it late in the day."

10 / 10
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  • Philip...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 12, 2020

For ADHD "I’m 18 years old, suffering from chronic depersonalization/derealization disorder (DPDR) and ADD. I was really thankful when I finally found out that I have ADD. It explained every aspect of my life that I, my friends, and my family couldn’t understand (you all know what I’m talking about). So I started using Strattera. On 10 mg, I didn’t feel anything. On 25 mg, I started having some problems with insomnia and a little bit of anxiety. On 40 mg, I finally got to know what real anxiety is. Staying up until 3 am, sitting on my bed with racing thoughts, fast heartbeat, and high blood pressure. Being sure that I have schizophrenia and that I’m going to lose control of my brain. Waking up a few times per night, sometimes with hypnagogic hallucinations and feeling like total trash throughout the next day. Also wasn’t feeling any relief from ADD, and my DPDR got significantly worse because of all the anxiety. Can’t blame the drug; every brain is different. I hope it will work for you. :)"

1 / 10
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  • shrizit
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 17, 2018

For ADHD "I got diagnosed with ADHD-PI (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder predominantly inattentive) and chronic depression last year at 24. This is one of the best medicines for ADHD. I struggle with inattention and mind chatter all the time and have been in college for 7 years. However, last year was my best year in college when I was on Strattera (also known as Attentrol) with Wellbutrin. Don't lose hope and give it at least 8-10 weeks before you see the effects, and honestly, it is unreal and has worked wonders on myself. The side effects when I first started taking this drug were pretty intense the first week, but after that, I gradually started with 20mg a day to 60mg a day now. The mind chatter was gone in a week, with my attention significantly improving. We live in a society where patience is no longer a virtue and people want results ASAP. That will not happen with Strattera, but if you were to give it a few weeks, then you would exactly know what I am talking about."

10 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • November 27, 2008

For ADHD "I'm a 32-year-old male and have had symptoms of ADHD all my life, but chose not to treat it because the types of medications available seemed to 'take something away' from my personality. I finally reached a point that my wife begged me to do something, so I started with Strattera due to my doctor's recommendation. I've been on 40mg for 2 months now, and notice a major difference. I now have a desire to get on the floor and play with the kids, whereas before it seemed tedious and boring. I find that I'm not as tired at the end of the day/week because my thoughts are not distracted by all the 'noise' that I seem to have from the ADHD. I'm still new to the drug, and things could change, but for now, I am really happy."

10 / 10
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  • Mikey
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 11, 2020

For ADHD "It does work. But, give it two or 3 weeks. You will feel weird in the beginning and a little nauseous. It goes away. I do feel like I concentrate better and focus longer. Be careful with caffeine! It makes caffeine much stronger and lasts longer. After a few months while on it, I get very irritable and tense. I need a break and let it wash out. No problems stopping cold turkey. Take 80mg a day. Overall, it's good. Not perfect though. Orgasms seem delayed for some reason and slightly less of a sex drive. No changes in weight."

7 / 10
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  • edano
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 16, 2021

For ADHD "I’m a 28-year-old male. I’ve had ADHD since my childhood without hyperactivity. I tried Concerta, Ritalin, and other psychostimulants - it was a disaster, I felt like a drugged zombie. After a while without using any medication, I wanted to try Strattera to boost my productivity. Everything got worse since I started using it. It’s been 2 months now. I lost interest in everything and became severely depressed. I’ve had trouble sleeping. Social interactions became weird. I started turning inward and feel shy all the time. So I stopped seeing people for a while thinking it would pass. It didn’t. Ever since, it’s been downhill, my libido is at a dead point, my relationship with my girlfriend took a big hit, I lost my job, and things I used to enjoy seem to make me feel indifferent now. The only positive thing is I’m less hungry now, I feel less tired during the day, and I am a bit more focused while working. Otherwise, it’s been a nightmare. I stopped the treatment today."

3 / 10
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97 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.