Atomoxetine for ADHD User Reviews (Page 4)

• Sea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 16, 2019

"This is my seventh time attempting the medication. I'm trying to do it right this time, no other choice. My experience has been to start at the lowest dose... 10 mg and stay on that for six to eight weeks before increasing it (10 mg at a time). I usually expect and prepare for two weeks of awfulness in the way of side effects before things get better. I've learned to be very wary of either nicotine or caffeine consumption with this medication. My experience with norepinephrine drugs like this is that just a little bit of nicotine or caffeine sets off my anxiety and irritability. It helps me with psychosomatic pain along with Cymbalta. It helps my anxiety. It increases alertness. It increases my focus but not nearly like amphetamine stimulants. Sexual side effects for me are not too serious. Orgasm as a male is irregular, but I actually find it more pleasurable. I find it also useful not to combine much alcohol with the drug. Uppers with downers for me can be ugly."

• She...
• July 8, 2017

"My parents took me in for testing in 5th grade because of lacking in school, failing at best. A few years later in high school I went to my therapist for extreme anxiety, and my PCP diagnosed me with ADHD. I was put on Strattera at age 16. Worked amazingly almost right away. My only side effects were extreme dry mouth for a few weeks and loss of appetite. I also lost about 20 pounds, which I was pleased with because I've always struggled with being overweight. I was doing better in school, being able to focus on papers and projects, and for the first time, even doing my homework and turning it in on time. My self-confidence grew tremendously. I made better eating choices and wasn't anxious. Now 25 and starting again! No side effects so far."

• sof...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2025

"The doctor didn't want to give me stimulants, so I was given Wellbutrin 150 mg at first. It made my mouth insanely dry and made me feel extremely tired almost immediately, which made my inattentive ADHD and focus way worse. So I then tried Strattera without expectations, but I'm so impressed at how well it works. I'm an adult and still only on 20 mg per day once in the morning with food, and my focus has improved noticeably. I'm able to study for at least half an hour without any distractions, while previously I'd estimate 10 minutes would be my max. The meds kicked in for me quickly, even on the first day, usually around a max of 30 minutes later. I feel more alert on top of my better ability to focus. The first few days, I had pretty bad constipation and insomnia, but it's been a little over a week now, and those have gone away. Definitely do take Strattera with food, as it'll make you feel nauseous without it. Will continue on 20 mg daily dose for now unless I feel the need to increase the dose."

• Fli...
• October 27, 2016

"First of all, unless Strattera is seriously messing with your brain, you should really be patient and keep taking it to see if it really works. I thought several times about quitting, but since I have been fighting depression and ADHD my whole life, why not give it another month to take effect? I started a month at 25mg, a month at 40mg, and about 2 weeks at 80mg. Wow, have things really taken off for me! I am getting so much done at home and am motivated to get a job again! The one downside is the cost. Seriously? My insurance won't cover it so my 80mg prescription was almost $500! To combat nausea, take with food always! It may interact with vitamins too, so take those at the opposite time of day. Most side effects went away after 2 wks."

• TXN...
• April 18, 2015

"Diagnosed with having ADHD in my early 20s. Dr. wanted me to try out Strattera before a stimulant since I also have anxiety, and he feared a med like Adderall would make it worse. This is my second month on it, and it does seem to be working. I am better able to concentrate, and my head seems more clear. I'm on 80mg. Stomach aches and drowsiness started off horrible when I first began taking this med, but these side effects are almost gone. Still get dry mouth, which ranges from mild to it feels like I've eaten cotton and sand. Unless the side effects are too intense for you, I would at least give this med two months. Think it gets such a bad rep because people don't give it a chance."

• Fir...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2020

"I’m a 27-year-old female, previously diagnosed with depression and anxiety. I currently take Lexapro 10 mg once a day, which controls my anxiety and the majority of my depression. Though my depression still exists, I have an inability to concentrate and I’m tired constantly. I started on Strattera 3 days ago, so I wanted to document my progress. On day 2, I started experiencing nausea, and I took off work. My doctor suggested over-the-counter nausea medicine before medications like Zofran, and it’s been helpful. I’m supposed to be careful and monitor my anxiety so that it doesn’t increase, but as of right now, it’s under control. I lost sleep last night, but I took it in the morning instead, so we’ll see how well I sleep tonight. I will update you all in a week."

• Tes...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 1, 2023

"Throughout my diagnosis journey, I have experimented with numerous medications, and Strattera (Atomoxetine) has proven to be the most effective for me. Unlike stimulants or SSRIs, which caused mood swings, anxiety, and emotional blunting, Strattera doesn't make me feel 'medicated.' Initially, I started with a 40 mg dose, which led to irritability, depression, and anxiety. After discussing these side effects with my doctor, I realized I had exceeded my optimal dosage. I am particularly sensitive to medications, so taking a month-long break from Strattera was necessary. Upon resuming Strattera at a reduced 18 mg dose, I no longer experienced the negative side effects and began enjoying the full benefits of the medication. If you are considering Strattera, give it a chance and collaborate with your doctor to find the appropriate dosage for your needs. Too much of a good thing can be harmful, and the same chemical can either positively transform your life or wreak havoc on it."

• Swe...
• April 6, 2017

"Strattera is a wonderful ADHD medication if you know how it works for you. For me, it takes a solid 8 weeks before the full effect of the medication kicks in to full potential. When it does, I have a superb memory through paying attention. My doctor increased it from 40mg when it worked well but not well enough, to 80mg. Then I had to restart the 8 weeks. Like the 40mg, I started noticing a difference in 5 weeks. After the 6th week, it's a perfect mix. Superb focus that seems to get better week after week. I'm glad I gave the Strattera a chance."

• tec...
• September 19, 2016

"I have taken Strattera for almost 5 years now and it's a wonder drug for me personally. Without this drug, my mind really races and I can't help it with exercise and things like that to get the energy out, but I'm not on the same beat as others. When I take Strattera, everything slows down, and I'm on the same beat and wavelength as everyone else. Social conversations go better, and I'm able to stay on task with work and actually get things done. I've found taking it on an empty stomach can be a bit sickening, but other than that, no downsides for me. I take 40 mg 1 or 2 times a day as needed and find it wears off in 6-8 hours for me. I'm extremely ADHD but have no depression at all, a very happy person, always have been."

• Anonymous
• March 14, 2012

"For the first night in I can't tell you how long, I am processing one thought at a time. I am calm instead of frenzied. My normal 20 thoughts all playing at the same time are gone and I'm not sure what to do with the calm. This may take a few days to adjust, but I am at peace right now that has been sorely lacking."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 28, 2020

"I have been on Strattera for about 2 1/2 months now, my starting dose was 40 mg. The first few days, I had a burst of energy, then, after that, I felt so tired. My doctor upped my dose to 80 mg. I’m not as tired anymore, but my insomnia is horrible. I have to take a sleeping pill every night, and even with that, I still wake up at 2 AM every night, agitated and can’t stop moving. Also, the dry mouth is horrible. I will say I don’t have as much anxiety."

• Pac...
• October 16, 2018

"This medication has been the best thing to happen to me. I do feel nausea for a bit after taking it, but I started on a 40mg dose and literally felt amazing after the first week. As for a lot of you saying you're having horrible effects, there are misdiagnoses all the time, and depending on what other medications you're taking will change how each person is affected by the medication. Everyone's bodies are different, so different medications might suit different people."

• Dre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 24, 2020

"I have manic bipolar/anxiety/very poor focus, and I take this with Buspar 15 mg. It was really good the first 2-4 weeks. I could focus, I had a burst of energy. I felt so good, I could feel it working. I no longer had racing thoughts, I was so much calmer. But after the 4 weeks, my poor focus came back. I am now on 60 mg once a day and still feel nothing. I’m extremely agitated and annoyed with everyone, yet calm as hell still but waiting to blow if you get that. It definitely helps with impulsive behavior and calming the mind and feeling low, but maybe it’s the combination of pills I take because I swear I rarely feel low anymore. I've never been better, I just hate that it doesn’t work as potently as in the beginning."

• jon...
• September 13, 2016

"People bad talk this stuff but it has helped me immensely with attention span, focus, socializing, depression, and my executive function overall. Helped almost immediately for me. Very few side effects. Good stuff"

• Rag...
• January 5, 2020

"I will admit there has been a huge improvement in my ADHD since I started taking this Rx. And since I already take a depression and anxiety med, I don't have issues with those. No, the problem is that it's killed my sex life. My girlfriend and I used to have a healthy sex life, but since I started this med, my libido has all but gone, strange things happen during intercourse, and I have painful orgasms. I can't decide if it's worth it yet, but I'm leaning towards no."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 4, 2018

"Before I start, I would like to point out that while I have never taken Strattera, my brother has, and it has completely changed who he is as a person. He was diagnosed with ADHD when he was six. We were so lucky it was caught that early, and after a few fluctuations in dosage, ended up on 35 mg a day. I can't even explain how much of a difference I noticed in him. He went from constantly hyper, selfish, and distracted (I understand that those were not his fault, though) to a focused individual with passions. Strattera did stunt his growth. He's been taking it for seven years now, and at age 13, is 4'6 and 70 pounds, but I think he would agree with me when I say it is so worth it; he often comments how glad he is to have it. Even after seven years, it continues to work well."

• Uno...
• December 7, 2019

"Diagnosed at age 46. Initially placed on a med that works for my son (methylphenidate - short acting 10 mg) made me feel crazy - manic-like, and my typical resting heart rate is 55 - on that it was 100, whoa, uncomfortable. Psychiatrist switched me to Strattera 40 mg x 1 mo. Side effects: sometimes morning nausea, intermittent dry mouth, mild constipation, took longer to orgasm, irritability. Increased to 60 mg x 2 weeks then was supposed to go on 80 mg. Insurance required a pre-auth, so went off entirely for 1 month (gotta love the US healthcare system!). Now, the last few days took 60 mg a day for 2 days, then 80 mg a day for 2 days. Side effects: extreme nausea 1 hour after taking, but was taking on an empty stomach, so will change that, dry mouth 1-2 times a day. Resting heart rate mid-60s. Haven’t tried sex yet, we’ll see. I am certain I am more focused. So far, I am happy with this. Worry a little about possible liver failure, but that is very rare. Probably more chance of ending up in an accident from my inattention by NOT taking the pills."

• cou...
• July 9, 2018

"I suffer from drug and alcohol addiction, so it is important for me to steer clear of stimulants. I have awful ADHD, so my doctor started me on Strattera a couple of months ago, and my fidgeting and inability to focus have both lessened dramatically. I started with 80 mg for one week, then jumped straight to 100 mg. On my very first day, I experienced mild nausea along with six straight hours of goosebumps (weird, but whatever), but no side effects since. It has helped me a lot, and I'm glad I'm on it."

• Adu...
• June 6, 2019

"I started with 40 mg of Strattera and worked my way up to 80 mg. The only side effects I've experienced are some mild queasiness and drowsiness, and once my body got used to the medication, those side effects went away! I've noticed significant mood improvement with the combination of this drug and diet/exercise. Planning for the future is noticeably less stressful, and I even found it easier to do simple things like grocery shopping and coming into work early. I’m still not perfect because I have still missed a dentist’s appointment. I’ve also noticed fewer cognitive distortions, which makes things more comfortable. I will say that it still doesn’t help with the immediate distractions or impulses, like stimulants do. It takes some time for it to work, you have to take it every day, and you still need to live a healthy life. So even if it helps a little, it's not some miracle drug. Manage your expectations if you’re considering asking your doctor about it."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2022

"Strattera almost ruined my life. First of all, it didn't help my severe ADHD at all. It caused me to have severe nausea every day, dizziness, insomnia every night, and it caused severe aggression and mood changes on just 40 mg for two months. The first day my doctor moved me up to 80 mg, it sent me into an induced psychosis state where I wound up fracturing my foot and dislocating my finger so bad that I may have to have surgery. I've been in a splint for almost two months now since that horrible night, and the scariest part of all is I don't even remember how it happened. It literally caused me to go insane. This drug was the worst drug I've ever taken, and it even warns you on the bottle, 'Warning: May cause mood changes'-boy, what an understatement. This medication made me so angry all the time. What they don't tell you about this medication is it can cause induced psychosis and violent behavior. It states that on the FDA website. I was only on Strattera for two months! Very dangerous drug!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 10, 2018

"I have taken this medication for over 5 months (10 mg a day) now. It definitely improved as far as concentration, cleared cluttered thoughts in my head. Now I have no anxiety while I drive because I can focus better. This medication takes time to take effect on you, and it works if you give it time. Everybody is different, but this medication worked for me without side effects. Be patient with this medication, and it will work wonders!"

• Us ...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 5, 2022

"I’m a 27 y/o man. I was under care. I have been on treatment with this drug. I will tell you, I took the drug in Italy (I am a dual citizen) when I was 7 years old, more or less, and I was under treatment until I was 17. Mine is a somewhat particular path. I have moved a lot with my family between the US and Europe. I speak 3 languages. I managed to go to university to pass admission tests to the HTZ in Zurich (the third best university in the world), and I graduated with excellent results (as a construction engineer). I lead my life perfectly. The drug never gave me problems except that it helped me study when I was in middle school and high school. However, my doctor has opted to reduce the dosage of the drug over the years to help me snap from this. I sincerely thank who I am now and what I was able to do thanks to this drug. I think it is an excellent alternative to Adderall and Ritalin (among other things, Adderall is illegal in Europe and is classified as a drug like meth)."

• Ty1...
• September 4, 2016

"I see a lot of mixed reviews on this. It's obvious this drug is EXTREMELY helpful on some and on others it's completely ineffective, and can even do harm. My suggestion is to try it out for a month. If you don't feel the effects of it, try it for another month and if you still don't then switch to another drug. If you start feeling agitated by it, get off it immediately. For me, Strattera has worked wonders. I am 18 years of age and have noticed the effects after my 4th week of taking it. My mind feels clearer, and I feel more motivated to focus on things I would usually find boring. The effects are reflected in my ACT score: my score has gone up a whole 6 points since first taking it. I wholeheartedly recommend Strattera to anyone with ADD."

• mrs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 18, 2024

"I'm 38F, prescribed Strattera for inattentive ADHD. Day 1 was pretty miserable. I felt super wired and kept getting goosebumps. After Day 1, things were fairly calm. I had to eat with my dose, or else I'd get an upset stomach. Every 2 or 3 days for the first week and a half, I'd get chills that would make my nipples hurt something fierce (sorry for the TMI!). That became far less frequent and was a fair tradeoff to finally have all the noise in my head quiet down. Starting on Week 3, I felt like I was steamrolling the med a bit, and it wasn't feeling as effective, but I figured that I probably would need a dose increase at my follow-up. 2 days later, I woke up with a small rash, and by the following day, I was about 60% covered in an itchy rash and was miserable. I feel like the med itself worked, but my body just did not like it the more it got into my system. That feels more like a 'me' problem, so I didn't score too low."

• bit...
• March 30, 2019

"I took Strattera for 3 months for ADHD. I started on 30 mg and had severe side effects such as headache, fatigue, nausea, muscle aches, and a high heart rate. These side effects were not able to be relieved with painkillers, eating, or drinking. Then my dosage was increased to 40 mg. I was now experiencing insomnia, an extreme heart rate, and would often nearly faint when I stood up for too long or too quickly. I also started to experience depression and suicidal thoughts. I had my dosage decreased to 10 mg, but the side effects persisted, only to a lesser extent. Whenever I came off the drug, I immediately felt better. To anyone reading; I spent 3 months well aware of the side effects and common negative reactions because I desperately wanted it to work and to be one of the few that seemed to get positive effects, but this did not work out, and it caused a lot of unnecessary grief in my life in the past few months. Take care and caution."