Strattera, a Rising Star in Medications
Although nonstimulants like antidepressants and mood stabilizers have been used for years to alleviate symptoms of adult ADHD, few have created the same excitement and buzz as Strattera. The only nonstimulant medication to be approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD, Strattera is also the first medication of any sort to be specifically approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD in adults.
Strattera works like an antidepressant to strengthen the chemical signal between nerves that use the neurotransmitter norepi-nephrine to send messages. Unlike SSRIs, Strattera does not impact serotonin levels in the brain.
Fact
Although research is still ongoing, many scientists believe that Strat-tera could one day be as widely prescribed and beneficial for treating adult ADHD as stimulant drugs. In long-term studies, two-thirds of adults taking Strattera enjoyed relief from symptoms for longer than thirty-four weeks.
Strattera may be helpful to those who cannot tolerate stimulants, although some patients claim stimulant drugs are more effective in controlling their ADHD symptoms. The medication is taken once a day, although those suffering gastrointestinal upset can take a smaller dose twice a day. Full effects are usually felt within four to six weeks and last all day and sometimes even into the next morning.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects include headache, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, anxiety, sleepiness and insomnia. Strat-tera can also interfere with sexual performance. Studies show that Strattera may cause less insomnia, appetite suppression, and weight loss than methylphenidate, but more sleepiness and vomiting.
