Stratera is a common misspelling of Eli Lilly's ADHD drug Strattera® (atomoxetine hydrocholride), often prescribed for ADHD. If your doctor has recommended Strattera for you or your child, you should know the possible side effects of the medication.
History
The FDA approved the "non-stimulant" Strattera for use in treating attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD or ADHD) in January 2003. Intended as a replacement for Ritalin® (methylphenidate), Strattera, a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), increases the brain's supply of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Low norepinephrine levels are widely believed to be a major contributor to ADHD.
Existing Health Conditions
Before you take Strattera or give it to a child or adolescent, make sure your doctor knows about your existing health issues. It also is important that your doctor know about any heart disease, heart rhythm disorders or congenital heart defects. Tell her if a family member has died from a heart attack and whether you have high or low blood pressure, blood clots or a history of stroke or coronary artery disease. Inform her if you have glaucoma, liver disease, problems urinating or are allergic to atomoxetine.
If your family has a history of mental illness or other psychotic disorders, your doctor must also know this.
Research has not yet shown whether Strattera passes into breast milk, or, if it does, whether or not it could harm a nursing baby.
Side Effects
Call 911 if you have an allergic reaction such as hives, difficulty breathing or swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat. Do the same if you become short of breath, experience chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeats or if you feel lightheaded.
Nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice and increased blood pressure are all side effects you should report to your doctor immediately. If you have unusual thoughts, your behavior changes or if you begin to hallucinate, seek help.
Suicide
Some children and teens have suicidal thoughts after starting Strattera. According to Eli Lilly, 12 studies of Strattera showed that among children and teens, four of every 1,000 developed suicidal thoughts. However, similar studies found no increase in such thoughts among adults.
If you note changes in your child's behavior or mood, particularly when starting the medicine or after any change in the dosage, get him to the doctor.
Lesser Side Effects
Strattera can impair your thinking and your reaction time. Exercise care when you drive or undertake any task that requires you to be awake and alert. You may also have irritable feelings, feel drowsy, dizzy, become constipated, have difficulty sleeping, increased menstrual cramping, impotence, loss of sexual motivation, trouble having an orgasm, cough, dry mouth, skin rash or itching.
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