It is in the class of medications known as selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. Because atomoxetine does not have a potential for abuse, it is not classified as a controlled substance. If you live with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) but feel like stimulant medications aren’t for you, your doctor might prescribe a nonstimulant to help manage your symptoms. Unlike stimulants, which primarily work by increasing levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, Strattera selectively increases only norepinephrine. Non-stimulant medications include antidepressants and former antihypertensive drugs. These are often prescribed when stimulants are ineffective or unsuitable.
How Do High BP Drugs Treat ADHD?
- Clinical trials suggest that 70% of ADHD patients experience improved concentration and reduced distractibility with stimulant treatment.
- Strattera, conversely, may take several weeks to reach its full therapeutic effect.
- This medicine has caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or a heart defect.
- If your doctor thinks that combining these two treatments offers more benefits than risks, it may be a good option.
- In individuals with ADHD, there is often a dysregulation of dopamine signaling, particularly in the striatal regions of the brain, which are involved in executive functions and reward processing.
This non-stimulant ADHD medication can also cause high blood pressure, increased heart rate, and other serious heart problems in people with a history of heart disease. Strattera belongs to the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI or sNRI) drug class. It’s thought to help ease certain ADHD symptoms by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the brain. Most ADHD medications belong to a drug class called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants.
Antidepressants have the advantage of having a low potential for abuse and there is no evidence that they suppress growth or contribute to significant weight loss. To better understand how ADHD medication works, learn more about how ADHD affects the brain. Use our ADHD medication log to help find the dosage that works best for your child. And know the signs that your child’s ADHD medication might need fine-tuning.
The Pros and Cons of Strattera—A Nonstimulant medication for ADHD
Allergic reactions to Strattera are rare but do occur, usually as swelling or hives. The prescribing doctor or other health care professional should be advised immediately if anyone taking Strattera develops a skin rash, swelling, hives or other allergic symptoms. There have been reports of slightly decreased growth in children and teens. It is recommended that children and adolescents be observed, measured and weighed periodically while on Strattera. In addition, Strattera doesn’t cause many of the potential side effects linked to psychostimulants, such as sleeplessness.
Nonstimulant ADHD Medications for Children and Adults
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Sometimes the immediate release version (Catapres) is also prescribed off-label for ADHD. Its active ingredient (viloxazine hydrochloride) was previously used for decades as an antidepressant in Europe before being repurposed into an ADHD medication. Stimulants, such as methylphenidate (Ritalin) or amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall), are considered the first-line treatments for ADHD.
These studies have consistently shown that Strattera can significantly improve attention, reduce hyperactivity, and decrease impulsivity in both children and adults with ADHD. Patients should be aware of serotonin syndrome risks when combining non-stimulants with other antidepressants. Additionally, children and teens should be closely monitored for suicidal thoughts during the first month of treatment, especially if managing other mental health conditions concurrently. The two primary categories of ADHD medications are stimulants and non-stimulants.
Nonstimulant Therapy and Other ADHD Drugs
To reduce the risk, the doctor may recommend briefly stopping the medication occasionally. Check the child’s weight and height regularly, and consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. During treatment, your doctor should check vital statistics including blood, heart, and blood pressure; or evaluate height and weight. If any problems are found, your doctor may recommend discontinuing treatment.
Most of these side effects are mild and tend to diminish over time as the body adjusts to the medication. To manage these effects, patients are often advised to take Strattera with food to reduce nausea, stay well-hydrated, and maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Two other shorter-acting alpha agonists are available for use, but not approved by the FDA for ADHD. These are clonidine (Catapres) and short-acting guanfacine (Tenex). These can be used as adjunctive medications, or if FDA-approved medications are not helpful. These drugs — and their effects — leave the system within three to 12 hours, depending on whether they’re short-acting or long-acting.
ADHD is characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that interfere with daily functioning and development. This medication works by increasing the amount of norepinephrine, an important brain chemical, in the brain. Doing this appears to help ADHD by increasing attention span and reducing impulsive behavior and hyperactivity. They work more quickly, often within an hour, and are somewhat more effective in managing symptoms. The effects of non-stimulants, in contrast, last longer—up to 24 hours. It’s also important to address the misconception that Strattera is less effective than stimulants.
Strattera vs. Other ADHD Medications
If side effects are bothersome, or do not go away, talk to your doctor. If you notice any health changes not listed above, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist. According to information provided by the drug’s manufacturers, it can take four to eight weeks for Strattera to reach the maximum therapeutic effect. In contrast, the effects of Adderall may be felt as soon as 30 minutes to one hour.
They’re also helpful for people who have ADHD and depression, anxiety, or another mood disorder. These were specifically created to treat the disorder and are FDA-approved for that. is strattera a non stimulant Sometimes your doctor will add one of these medicines to the stimulant you take, or they might have you take one of the following by yourself.
Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, dizziness, stomach problems, tremors, or unusual behavior. While taking Strattera, your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your heart rate, blood pressure, height, and weight may also need to be checked often. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Like all medications, Strattera can cause side effects, and it’s essential for patients and healthcare providers to be aware of these potential effects. Common side effects of Strattera include nausea, decreased appetite, fatigue, and mood swings. In most cases, these side effects are mild and tend to diminish over time as the body adjusts to the medication. The potential benefits of Strattera’s dopamine modulation are multifaceted.
Examples include amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) and methylphenidate (Ritalin). Unlike stimulants, Strattera is less likely to affect sleep patterns and essentially works 24 hours a day. Understanding how Strattera works, let’s look at some of the benefits of this medication vs. stimulant medications.