Atomoxetine for ADHD User Reviews (Page 5)

• spa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 25, 2014

"I had been on Strattera for 8 years. It did great, but within the last year things seemed to change. I thought it wasn't working due to my memory and concentration, but now, being off for about a month, I realize it was doing a lot. I am now having headaches, lack of motivation, losing temper easily, etc. My family and friends see a significant change in my behavior (Negative change). Concentration and focus have always been an issue on and off medicine, so I just have to work harder with it. I also realize it takes more than this medicine to really have success."

• Ato...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 10, 2024

"Very helpful with focusing and concentration issues, keeps me on track and motivated. Non-benefits would include: Extreme tiredness, fatigue, and a feeling of not getting enough quality and rested sleep. I don’t like the feeling of dropping down low with my energy after I take it; it happens approximately 15-20 minutes after taking the medication. After my body pushes through that phase, I will become a little better and that’s when the focusing and determination kicks in."

• Fer...
• September 24, 2014

"My son, 11, was taking Strattera, and it did not work out well for him. His ADHD is rather mild, and I thought this could help him with a few of his struggles. However, the side effects outweighed the benefits. The most extreme side effect didn't really hit until about a month into taking Strattera. He became very emotional, would lash out disrespectfully, and within 5 minutes would be crying and saying how sorry he was. His brain clarity was actually WORSE. He has always been an honor student and suddenly couldn't remember his multiplication facts. The last side effect was his appetite was suppressed. He has been off the medication for 5 days, and I have my kid back."

• Sam...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2023

"After two and a half weeks on medication, my doctor had me on a loading dose before transitioning me to 40 mg. I only began experiencing side effects when I was on the full dose. Initially, I experienced dizziness for an hour after taking the medication. I also felt like a zombie for a couple of days, but that eventually passed. Although I still have a dry mouth, it is not as severe when I take antihistamines. One of the most noticeable changes is that my head space is now often silent, which is a strange feeling. I used to rehearse conversations in my head before talking to anyone, but now I can easily have conversations without any practice. However, I did have a moment of panic when I thought I couldn't communicate with anyone. Despite this, my conversations went smoothly, and I was able to talk without rehearsing any topics. I have always been a natural procrastinator, even with medication, but now I find it easier to do the boring aspects of my work. For the first time in a long time, I don't need to eat a lot of snacks to keep me motivated while working."

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2009

"I first started 18 mg once a day, no noticeable change. Then increased to 40 mg once a day, at first I seemed to just be calm and zombie-like with no change to my ADD. Then, 2-3 weeks later insomnia, paranoia, depression, rage, panic attacks, and severe anxiety consumed me so badly that I couldn't leave my house. I feared for my safety and the safety of others so I stopped the drug immediately! I was having thoughts of violence toward others and myself. I am a 28-year-old woman and was on no other medications and no other conditions besides ADD. I'd rather just deal with my ADD than all those scary feelings I've never had before."

• AAa...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 11, 2018

"Strattera is the most efficient medication for me. It helps with my concentration in class and at home. It started working for me the first day I took it, and I’ve been taking it for more than a year now. It used to give me dizziness when I took it in the morning after breakfast, so something helpful I found is to take it after dinner on a full stomach so that the side effects don’t occur while I am awake because they wear off as you are sleeping."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 21, 2017

"I only took this for 4 weeks, and most say it takes 4-6 weeks to work. Initial side effects: extreme sedation and emotional flattening. I slept the first week anytime I wasn't actively engaged in something, and even then I was groggy. That subsided a bit, but I remained very lethargic all day, every day for the duration of the 4 weeks, and as time went on, I felt more and more emotionally flat and lost all interest and motivation. It certainly completely cured my hyperactivity, but it never helped my focus one bit. It did, however, really help my fibro pain better than anything has, took away my panic attacks, and cut my general anxiety down greatly. Unfortunately, I can't continue to feel so flat, lethargic, anti-social, and disinterested any longer."

• Joo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2013

"My husband has ADD, and it really took a toll on our relationship. He was originally on Vyvanse, but it suppressed his appetite horribly. It didn't do enough in ratio to the side effects, so he decided to try Strattera. So far, it's been working decently. His main problem, however, is being able to urinate freely. I bought him Urinozinc Prostate Formula, and literally the first pill he took, he was able to urinate much more easily. Conversely, when he forgot a pill the other day, he noticed an immediate difference, and struggled to urinate. The supplement has allowed him to stay on Strattera. I note this stuff, as I have read that this is a common issue for men taking Strattera. Hope this helps others."

• kel...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 26, 2019

"It's hard for me to say if Strattera is the reason I feel calm and focused because I am on a lot of other medications for other diagnoses (depression/bipolar, OCD, anxiety). However, since starting Strattera, I have noticed a difference, a subtle difference. I was previously on Vyvanse, which also made a subtle difference, but it caused too much anxiety. I noticed I've been interrupting others less and feeling more focused in conversations and at work. So I say give it a try, especially if stimulants give you anxiety."

• Aon...
• March 17, 2019

"I've been taking it for 8 days (it's not a long time, and it does take a while to actually get into effect), but so far, I've noticed that my mood has been slightly lower than normal, and I get angry easier. I also have been getting sensory overload, but I'm just gonna put that on the fact that I'm no longer on anxiety meds. This medicine takes 4-6 weeks to fully go into effect, and I will be waiting till then to see how it goes. Medicine works differently on everyone, so while some people think it's awful, others may think it's the best thing that's ever happened to them. If your doctor prescribes it, I suggest taking it and waiting till the 4-6 week mark unless it makes you physically ill, and even then, I would give it a week or two to see if it goes away. This kind of thing is normally hit or miss, and you might have to go through a few meds before you find one that is right for you. It has a lot of negative reviews, but the reviews that are good are saying that it's amazing, and you could be that person."

• Syl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 29, 2018

"18 yr old haven't been treated for my ADHD till now. Took a month before I adjusted to them, afterwards, I was alright. It helps me maintain focus while balancing out my emotions that seemed to go up in the day and down at night. It makes me feel like I can truly be myself and become self-sufficient and independent when I need to be. Had issues with starting/completing chores, and now I remember what I'm doing just fine! A great alternative for those who don't want stimulants or have inattentive ADHD."

• Son...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 14, 2023

"This is the single worst medication I have ever taken. The side effects were far worse than any potential benefits. It caused daily migraines, made urination painful and difficult, and resulted in erectile dysfunction. Ejaculation became painful and watery, to the point where I even got tested for STDs due to the unusual symptoms. It also affected my vision, causing blurriness. Sleep became elusive, and when I did manage to sleep, I experienced vivid nightmares. Additionally, I suffered from severe heartburn on a daily basis, requiring the use of ranitidine to manage it. The heartburn led to constant, foul-smelling burps that were uncontrollable. I took the medication for four months, and upon discontinuation, all of these issues improved. However, when I was later prescribed a lower dose, I experienced migraines within three days, something I hadn't experienced during the initial discontinuation period. I immediately stopped taking it and have since refused it or any similar medication. It has been at least 12 years since then."

• Chu...
• May 27, 2021

"So far, this medication has done absolutely nothing for my ADHD. I know it takes time to work, but I honestly felt better and had an easier time taking antidepressants. I have come off of Zoloft just to be able to take Strattera, and I feel like it completely reversed all the progress I made while on it and other antidepressants. My heart beats too fast, my legs and arms are numb, I relapsed into a depression and have had suicidal thoughts. I don’t feel hungry anymore. I’ve been avoiding friends and family members so I don’t ruin any relationships. I either feel too much or nothing at all. What is the point of taking this medication if it is only making my life worse? I know it’s helped some people, but I know a lot of people in the ADHD community who absolutely despise this medication. If anyone’s curious, I was immediately put on 40mg and I am supposed to go up to 80mg after the two-week mark... Yeah... no thanks!"

• aha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 9, 2017

"I started taking this medication about 2 months ago. My doctor had me start out at 40 milligrams for one week and then increased the dose to two 40 mg capsules twice a day. At the second month, I started taking just one 80 mg capsule around mid-afternoon to early evening every day. So far, the drug has seemed to greatly help my ability to focus and really experience the world around me. I'm able to finally slow my mind to a cruising speed instead of an outright race. Strattera has made me calmer and more composed when it comes to social interactions with others and encountering stressful situations. Also, I seem to be getting really positive and more optimistic in everyday life, making me feel as if the drug has some mild antidepressant properties."

• Gwe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 23, 2024

"Strattera Review: Second Time Around, Worth the Patience. I’m currently on 60 mg of Strattera, and this time, I’ve committed to giving it a fair shot. It takes at least 6 weeks to feel the full effects, so keeping track of progress is important. Side effects have been minimal—just some mild insomnia, which has changed my sleep needs to about 6 hours per night. I recently increased from 40 mg to 60 mg to reach my optimal dose, and I also take Trazodone for sleep and Pristiq for anxiety. Compared to stimulants like Adderall and Vyvanse, Strattera has been much easier on my anxiety. ADHD is a lifelong struggle, and while this medication helps, there’s no true cure. Be kind to yourself and give it time to work."

• bee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2022

"I’ve (20F) been on Strattera for about 3-4 months. I started on 40 mg, had mild side effects but nothing awful, but I wasn’t seeing any improvement in my inattentive ADHD, so the doc and I decided to go up to 80 mg. Been on 80 mg for about 2 months now and it’s taking everything not to quit cold turkey before my next appointment with my doctor. My heart is constantly pounding and I’m overheating all the time. I am depressed and angry all the time. I need at least 12 hours of sleep to function, but I still feel tired and fatigued all the time. I also have been having awful and scary suicidal thoughts out of absolutely nowhere. I can eat, but I feel like I’m going to throw up all the time. I can do chores and work now, but at what cost??? Would not recommend."

• Jay...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 3, 2014

"I am 15 years old girl and this was the first medication I ever took for my ADD, and I don't even know if it worked for my ADD symptoms. But I do know the side effects of Strattera were all I had. I was depressed, numb, sleepy, could not eat, and had anxiety. It felt like I wasn't on earth, I was out in space, numb to the world."

• nic...
• September 7, 2019

"I was put on 40 mg of Strattera right after being diagnosed with ADHD. The first couple of days, I had a lot of nausea, dry mouth, and fatigue, but I knew to expect this and tried to power through. After a week, however, I started feeling super irritable, which is not normal for me. I'm typically an even-keeled, patient person most of the time. Then, last night, I started uncontrollably crying and thinking terrible, awful things about myself that I have never thought before. My partner said, 'That's the worst I've ever seen you.' I didn't take it today (I refuse to take that ever again), and after a week on it, I feel lifeless. Like a zombie. Like my personality, my thought life, my ability to function is just not there. I assume this will get better after a bit more time, but it's scary to think that all that can change in one week."

• Sli...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 13, 2017

"I think this may be my third review of Strattera. I still give it a high rating because, all in all, it has done what it was supposed to do. I've had some bad migraines while on it, and I've gone off it a few times because I couldn't fill the script or felt like it wasn't working, but I have always come back to taking it in the past four years. My current dose is 25 mg, and I also take Adderall, 10 mg twice a day. If I had to describe Strattera, it is a great focus/motivation medication, but it also ups the anxiety, and Adderall seems to up it even more. My doctor really doesn't have another solution than to take Ativan. Coffee makes Strattera worse, but sometimes it won't kick in without the morning coffee."

• Tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2017

"I was a happy but chaotic woman with ADHD. I am looking for a substitute for Ritalin because, although it worked miracles for my lack of attention and organizing skills, it eventually wore me out. My new neurologist suggested Strattera (80 mg/day). At first, it made me very tired. After a few weeks, Strattera changed me into an emotional wreck. Crying every minute for no reason. I'm still in the hospital. I'm so tired of trying something new and hoping it will make the fog in my head disappear. But we're back to square one. No more Strattera for me..."

• Ahh...
• October 27, 2014

"This is the start of my third day on this medication. I am on 25 mg once a day. So far, I notice it makes me a little sleepy, gives me a dry mouth, and causes a tingling sensation on my head. Although the benefits so far have been that I passed my quiz for college with 100% and was able to finish multiple tasks yesterday! It's only the third day, so we'll see how it progresses with my body. Age: 21, 110 lbs, F."

• Anonymous
• October 13, 2009

"My 6-year-old son was prescribed Strattera because he has Tourette's, and it was felt the stimulants would make it worse. He has been on 10 mg daily for the last 4 days, and so far, I am pleased. The first day I gave it to him, he slept all afternoon and was awake off and on all night. I changed the time I gave it to late afternoon and have not noticed this problem anymore. He is not overly drowsy at school. His teacher sent a note noticing he appeared to pay attention in class more, and today was the FIRST day since the school year started that he didn't get in trouble for disrupting class. I have noticed his appetite and thirst have increased somewhat, but he wasn't a big eater to begin with, so this is actually positive to me."

• ric...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 13, 2015

"In my 30s, energy levels dropped, and I found life more challenging. I would wonder how I could get through the day. I took Adderall but could feel that it wasn't right. I guess it felt too much like a party drug. After a few doses, I actually just felt, I suppose, buzzed, and not able to complete tasks. Perhaps the dose wasn't high enough? I went to my doctor with a list of medications and notes. He picked up on Strattera, which wasn't my top choice. The instructions said it may take a month to work! It was instant! I am less irritable and have more mental energy. My brain must have been tired, and my thoughts are more positive than negative. I have had all the side effects inconsistently. They are far outweighed by the benefits. Also, try matcha green tea!!"

• Han...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2019

"I’m only giving Strattera 2 stars instead of 1 because it worked for focus, but the side effects were horrible. The first day taking it, I felt great. I had enough energy to get through the day and I felt present and in the moment. Then the next day, I started to feel really strange. I couldn’t sleep through the night. I was majorly wired. I started to not feel like myself. My head was completely empty. I felt like a zombie, tbh. I didn’t find things funny, and I started to lash out at people, which I never do. By like day four, I lashed out at my dad, and then I broke down. I cried and was becoming really depressed. When I went off of it, my imagination returned. It was kind of a scarring experience."

• Emm...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2022

"This drug is actually amazing! It’s the only ADHD medication that manages my symptoms and doesn’t make me anxious. My overall mood is improved as well, this medication is a lifesaver. I feel much more focused and alert, and I don’t have a crash like I did with Adderall and other stimulants. This medication enhances your cognition, which is good for how you process information and helps your thought process."