Drug info - Atomoxetine (Strattera)

[Nagognog2]

If you understand chemistry and look at the molecular structure od straterra, it becomes quite clear how this one ended up as an ADHD medication.

It was designed to be another SSRI-class anti-depressant, but failed. It seemed to cause more focus and less lack of depression symptoms. The drug company had spent millions on this "anti-depressant" and didn't want to lose the money. So....they released it for ADHD. I remember the ads well: Little Johnny wasn't wired like Ritalin. Little Johnny was normal as could be. Little Johnny was happy as a clam and so very helpful around the house! Call the doctor! Put little Johnny on Straterra stat!

Yet it is an SSRI. Yes it causes mood-swings and agitation like other SSRI's. And, yes, I'm just waiting for Little Johnny to take Dad's shotgun down to school and have a blast! Johnny will (assuming he's still alive) will get put away. Dad might too for having the shotgun. And the drug company will get off free as a bird. Call me a cynic - in 10 years.

[beentheredonethatagain]

I would nt say no need in swim here, I don't think doc saw bones wanted to to toot the meds in your nose. Just a guess

[rxbandit]

hmm as nagnog said stratera is not a stimulant nor an amphetamine... would'nt it be appropriate to move this thread to the appropriate place.

[lulz]

Btw, something I think is an important point: I am currently taking what is considered a high dose (90 mg/day), but this is actually lower than the average dose used in trials to see if it was useful for people with ADD (low in relation to my weight, I think the trials used something like 1.3 mg/kg).

The thing is, I didn't experience any positive effects until I hit about 80 mg. I think that a lot of people think it's useless because they are prescribed doses that are too low (which is understandable, the stuff is still quite new so it's rather expensive).

The other thing is that initially the side effects are SHIT. I felt sleepy all the time and slept as much as I could get away with. My appetite was also all over the place. I had to put up with this for about 3 weeks or so before the drug started working.

My message really is that if you're prescribed it, and you're put off initially (DON'T expect it to work straight away, like Ritalin etc do), try and stick through it for a few weeks before throwing in the towel. If you're someone it works for, it really fucking works. It's just a hassle to adapt to.

[toe]

Atomoxetine is used as part of a total treatment program to increase the ability to pay attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in children and adults with ADHD. Atomoxetine is in a class of medications called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. It works by increasing the levels of norepinephrine, a natural substance in the brain that is needed to control behavior.

(Medline)

This is only used for ADHD in the US to the best of my knowledge, but there's an SNRI anti-depressant called reboxetine floating around out there somewhere on the planet.

[Alfa]

Threads merged.

[EuPhOrIa89]

thanks Alfa!

[blinkKDX]

Strattera is a great drug for swim. Swim has script for addy and strattera and has started to dislike the cracked out feeling adderall gives him. strattera gives him a weird feeling in his head but is able to sit down open a book and lose track of time. while with adderall he can do that, but gets bored and wants to do things that are more rec. than productive. Swim is taking 2 40mg a day... although the effects are not "strong" they are there.

[seeingred]

Has anyswim had any luck with this? Can it be used recreationally? Does it even work for adhd? Swim tried it for a week before it started making swim feel a few mood swings, will swim be able to get tolerant to this?

[Panthers007]

Strattera(atomoxetine) was developed as a SSRI-class anti-depressant. Chemically it is right alongside prozac, zoloft, paxil, etc. However, for unspecified reasons, the drug company - Lilly - abandoned it for this purpose. And then decided it would be just dandy to feed to kids with ADHD. Well guess what? This is the same class of drugs that have warnings on them about how giving them to kids can cause suicidal reactions! Or a trip down memory-lane to Columbine...

Lilly claims it doesn't have any side-effects like Ritalin or amphetamines, so Junior will be happy and good all the day long. Ha! The stuff was withdrawn as an anti-depressant due to it's causing insomnia and agitation like Ritalin or amphetamines. So now they simply lie and say it doesn't have side-effects (they are now admitting that may have been misinterpreted). And because it's not being prescribed for depression, they don't have to warn people that Junior might cut his wrists - or chase the family cat with a chainsaw while wearing a hockey mask.

SWIM is lucky all he got was a few mood-swings. I've been asked by many concerned parents and relatives of kids whose school was trying to pour this new, safe, harmless chemical down their throats. Having supplied links to the myriad articles out there(Google), they all threatened to sue the schools, doctors, nurses, teachers - whoever was demanding Little Johnny take the Strattera. Not one Little Johnny went on the stuff. It's that scary.

See the Strattera? See the toilet? See the Strattera in the.....

[seeingred]

Originally Posted by Panthers007

Strattera(atomoxetine) was developed as a SSRI-class anti-depressant. Chemically it is right alongside prozac, zoloft, paxil, etc. However, for unspecified reasons, the drug company - Lilly - abandoned it for this purpose. And then decided it would be just dandy to feed to kids with ADHD. Well guess what? This is the same class of drugs that have warnings on them about how giving them to kids can cause suicidal reactions! Or a trip down memory-lane to Columbine...

Lilly claims it doesn't have any side-effects like Ritalin or amphetamines, so Junior will be happy and good all the day long. Ha! The stuff was withdrawn as an anti-depressant due to it's causing insomnia and agitation like Ritalin or amphetamines. So now they simply lie and say it doesn't have side-effects (they are now admitting that may have been misinterpreted). And because it's not being prescribed for depression, they don't have to warn people that Junior might cut his wrists - or chase the family cat with a chainsaw while wearing a hockey mask.

SWIM is lucky all he got was a few mood-swings. I've been asked by many concerned parents and relatives of kids whose school was trying to pour this new, safe, harmless chemical down their throats. Having supplied links to the myriad articles out there(Google), they all threatened to sue the schools, doctors, nurses, teachers - whoever was demanding Little Johnny take the Strattera. Not one Little Johnny went on the stuff. It's that scary.

See the Strattera? See the toilet? See the Strattera in the.....

The only problem is it does help swim concentrate.

And swim honestly has been having angry outbursts for no reason, when swim had some coffee afterwards swim was beside hisself. Swim at first got a real almost euphoria the first time swim took it, then it gave swims vivid dreams every night. But now, it makes swim super-angry and moody- like a sudden burst of insanity. But swim wants the happiness, the lack of fatigue and tireness. seems there isn'ta solution.

[old hippie 56]

Swim tried one once, never again. Most horrible drug, made him feel real funny, sick, etc.

[cyndi]

Depends. swiy must take it daily as it is not fast acting lilke adderall or ritalin. Some people claims it helps with add or adhd. It isn't a rec drug by any means but may help swiy focus.

[seeingred]

Thanks Cyndi, once again, for the helpful reply. Swim reacts in a hyper way on ritalin- so adderall would probably be worse, any of those stimulants always seem potentiated by coffee.