Atomoxetine and Insomnia: What Users Say

• JDa...
• November 11, 2019

For ADHD "Background: I was diagnosed with ADHD in my 20s and was started out on Strattera at 40mg. Now I'm at 80mg. Also, take with food or you may feel nauseous. Note: These are my own observations, your experience may vary. Pros: - It gives me an insane amount of energy and direction. Drives me off the bed/couch to more constructive outlets. - It makes me hyperfocused at 80mg and decently focused at 40mg. - There is no crash like amphetamines. Cons: - Some mild sexual side effects that disappear over time. - Weight loss - lack of appetite (Pro if you struggle with your weight? - just make sure you eat!) - Zombie effect - I noticed some kind of dulling of my emotions. i.e., my lows are not as low, but my highs are not as high. - Cottonmouth/dry throat. I'm constantly drinking water. - Possible sleep disruption if you take it late in the day."

• Phi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 12, 2020

For ADHD "I’m 18 years old, suffering from chronic depersonalization/derealization disorder (DPDR) and ADD. I was really thankful when I finally found out that I have ADD. It explained every aspect of my life that I, my friends, and my family couldn’t understand (you all know what I’m talking about). So I started using Strattera. On 10 mg, I didn’t feel anything. On 25 mg, I started having some problems with insomnia and a little bit of anxiety. On 40 mg, I finally got to know what real anxiety is. Staying up until 3 am, sitting on my bed with racing thoughts, fast heartbeat, and high blood pressure. Being sure that I have schizophrenia and that I’m going to lose control of my brain. Waking up a few times per night, sometimes with hypnagogic hallucinations and feeling like total trash throughout the next day. Also wasn’t feeling any relief from ADD, and my DPDR got significantly worse because of all the anxiety. Can’t blame the drug; every brain is different. I hope it will work for you. :)"

• eda...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 16, 2021

For ADHD "I’m a 28-year-old male. I’ve had ADHD since my childhood without hyperactivity. I tried Concerta, Ritalin, and other psychostimulants - it was a disaster, I felt like a drugged zombie. After a while without using any medication, I wanted to try Strattera to boost my productivity. Everything got worse since I started using it. It’s been 2 months now. I lost interest in everything and became severely depressed. I’ve had trouble sleeping. Social interactions became weird. I started turning inward and feel shy all the time. So I stopped seeing people for a while thinking it would pass. It didn’t. Ever since, it’s been downhill, my libido is at a dead point, my relationship with my girlfriend took a big hit, I lost my job, and things I used to enjoy seem to make me feel indifferent now. The only positive thing is I’m less hungry now, I feel less tired during the day, and I am a bit more focused while working. Otherwise, it’s been a nightmare. I stopped the treatment today."

• Sha...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2020

For ADHD "Sharing my experience and hoping other people will comment things they had in common with my experience. My doctor started me on 40mg of Strattera. The first few days I had so much energy. I cleaned my house at 5 am on my day off for no reason. About 2 weeks in, I started to feel drowsy. Anxiety has decreased a bit, but I feel tired in the mornings when I take it. My doctor is now saying she wants to up my dose to 80mg and that it won’t make me tired. I started taking the 40mg at night, and it not only makes me tired but also makes me agitated, and I can’t sleep."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 5, 2019

For ADHD "Started taking this medication and was bummed out about it not working for a month, and then all of a sudden, week five and I can feel a difference. It's a much cleaner energy to me than Adderall, with Adderall I can't sleep at night, I grit my teeth, and am almost manic. Strattera is the complete opposite, I can read a book, work on homework and such. Definitely worth the wait... and no comedowns, steady medicine."

• KBa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2020

For ADHD "I've been on Strattera for two months now for ADHD. It took about 6 weeks for it to kick in and start working. I don't feel that it helps with all my ADHD problems, but it does help with a few. I've had terrible side effects, including loss of appetite (I've lost 10 pounds since starting the drug due to loss of appetite). I also get really bad hot flashes, and anytime I go into a moving vehicle, I feel nauseous. I can't sleep at night, and I can't stay awake in the day. The side effects are not worth the small benefit I get from this drug."

• Ell...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2019

For ADHD "Not a good experience. My doctor wanted to try a non-stimulant option for my ADHD first because she was nervous about my anxiety getting worse. This drug was NOT the answer. I stopped eating and sleeping after about 2 weeks, until I had a meltdown and sobbed in my boyfriend's arms for hours. She switched me to a low-dose stimulant option, and I tolerated it much better. It might be a lifesaver for some, but it was horrible for me."

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

For ADHD "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."

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

For ADHD "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."

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

For ADHD "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!"

• bit...
• March 30, 2019

For ADHD "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."

• Anonymous
• November 9, 2009

For ADHD "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."

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

For ADHD "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."

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

For ADHD "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."

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

For ADHD "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."

• abc...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 13, 2021

For ADHD "I tried Strattera for roughly 14 months, moving between 20-40-60-80 mg. At 20 mg, I felt a bit better, but it wasn't helping enough. At 40-80 mg, the side effects of bad nausea, feeling very hot all over and then cold soon after, dizziness, loss of appetite, heavy doses of fatigue, problems with my sex life, etc., all hit hard on 8/10 or 9/10 days I took it. I will give a disclaimer: I didn't take it some weekends, but the lack of going to work and the deterrent of the side effects put it off. I didn't experience any increase in insomnia. Also, people would be able to tell if I'd taken my tablet by how pale I'd turn within 10 minutes and how subdued I was. Recently switched to Concerta to try and escape the side effects."

• Dan...
• March 24, 2021

For ADHD "I’ve been on Strattera for 5 1/2 weeks and Lexapro for 8 1/2 weeks. I have ADHD and some anxiety. I started with 10 mg of Lexapro and 40 mg of Strattera, and after four weeks, I got bumped up to 15 mg of Lexapro and 80 mg of Strattera. I didn’t want to use stimulants, so I went with Strattera. The symptoms I suffer from are inability to focus, multitasking, putting off deadlines and responsibilities, and extreme fidgeting. I’ve definitely noticed a decrease in the amount of fidgeting, and when I start projects, I am a lot more committed and follow through more often than not. I cleaned my bathroom the other day for three hours because I wanted it to be perfect. I’ve read from a lot of people it can take two or three months to really start working, so I’m hopeful that I will continue to feel improvements. I feel like I am more relaxed, and I feel like I don’t have to sprint anytime I walk. My side effects included a little bit of a headache, feeling high, and difficulty sleeping."

• Jac...
• May 23, 2014

For ADHD "I was 20 when I started taking Strattera. As far as focusing, yes, I was completely focused and motivated all day! If I was sitting still, I would have to pull out my phone and play a game to keep my mind moving. However, the side effects were absolutely terrible! I was constantly sweating, and if I wasn't sweating, I had chills! I began suffering from insomnia. I have constant dry mouth and headaches. The worst side effect by far was what it did to my menstrual cycle. It gave me an EXTREMELY heavy and very crampy cycle. It also made my very regular cycle completely irregular. The side effects made it not worth it at all."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 14, 2025

For ADHD "I have been taking the generic form - atomoxetine for 2 weeks now. I am diagnosed with ADHD, possibly a crossover with autism. My most problematic symptoms were challenges with executive function, overthinking, constantly running on anxiety, and poor sleep. I am averse to taking meds as my anxiety kicks in imagining all the worst-case scenarios that I read online. Nonetheless, I tried Ritalin first, but it just made me even more anxious. When I took atomoxetine 25 mg, the first couple of days I was really tired, took naps in the afternoon, which is unheard of for me. I also could feel a bit of a BP rise and a little more insomnia. After that, no real negative side effects. I have it with breakfast and take a banana after the tablet, no nausea. I also found drinking lots of water throughout the day helps with any side effects. I know atomoxetine is supposed to be slow-acting, but I already have some more calmness, less brain fog, and a lift in mood - it is very gradual. I go up to 40 mg on Monday."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 1, 2023

For ADHD "I started taking this god-awful drug when I was around 11 years old, just starting middle school. An 11-year-old child should never have to hear voices telling them to harm others or themselves, experience horrifying nightmares, and suffer from the terrible lack of sleep caused by insomnia. It felt like everything was blank, and I felt completely numb. I was like a zombie, devoid of any real emotions. Growing up, I thought I had anger issues as a kid, and to some extent, I did. However, this drug amplified my anger towards everything. I also struggled greatly with depression and had suicidal thoughts at such a young age. I came dangerously close to attempting it on multiple occasions, but fortunately, all my attempts failed. I am grateful for that, but no child or adult should ever be subjected to this medication. It made me feel absolutely awful, and I am still dealing with the trauma caused by the thoughts, voices, and memories I had as a child, even to this day. It took around 4 years to overcome some of the severe side effects from this drug as well. I apologize if my thoughts seem scattered, but I cannot stress enough: never take this medication. And please, ensure no child is subjected to it either."

• ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 1, 2023

For ADHD "I started taking this god-awful drug when I was around 11 years old, just starting middle school. An 11-year-old child should never have to hear voices telling them to harm others or themselves, experience horrifying nightmares, and suffer from the terrible lack of sleep caused by insomnia. It felt like everything was blank, and I felt completely numb. I was like a zombie, devoid of any real emotions. Growing up, I thought I had anger issues as a kid, and to some extent, I did. However, this drug amplified my anger towards everything. I also struggled greatly with depression and had suicidal thoughts at such a young age. I came dangerously close to attempting it on multiple occasions, but fortunately, all my attempts failed. I am grateful for that, but no child or adult should ever be subjected to this medication. It made me feel absolutely awful, and I am still dealing with the trauma caused by the thoughts, voices, and memories I had as a child, even to this day. It took around 4 years to overcome some of the severe side effects from this drug as well. I apologize if my thoughts seem scattered, but I cannot stress enough: never take this medication. And please, ensure no child is subjected to it either."

• Anonymous
• July 19, 2015

For ADHD "I started taking Strattera at 25 mg. The first week was crazy, I felt like I could do anything. I had so much time on my hands and accomplished so much. I no longer had to fight with myself to wake up. I had so much energy, and the 'foggy' feeling was gone. I could focus on what I had to do and then move on to the next. It was wonderful. The only side effect I had was insomnia, but that went away after the first week and it was easily resolved with some meditation. After that, I started to settle in because I was getting used to it, the feelings were dying down. I missed the sense of euphoria the first week had brought, but I was still plenty productive, and overall my social relationships had improved. After 3 months, I am starting 40 mg."

• Tee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 15, 2012

For ADHD "I definitely noticed a difference while taking Strattera. The symptoms of my ADHD have improved indefinitely. I feel less withdrawn from reality, increased self-esteem, and better focus. The 25 mg gave me insomnia. With the 40 mg, I stopped noticing the benefits of Strattera and noticed more of the side effects (dizziness, hot flashes, etc.). 60 mg seemed to be the most effective for me. But after a week of taking the 60 mg, I didn't go a day without nausea. The nausea was so bad that it practically canceled out the benefits of Strattera. This is just what happened in my case. I would recommend this medication in hopes that the side effects aren't as bad for others."

• KF5...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 4, 2017

For ADHD "My nine-year-old son was put on this for impulsivity, lack of ability to pay attention and retain things at school, and to help the 'spazzy' moments. At first, he was a walking zombie, so we gave it at night. Eventually, he was able to switch to taking it in the morning as his body got used to it. But still, he would crash as soon as he got home from school. He says the medicine makes it hard for him to sleep in anymore, even though he's tired. He is less spazzy and can pay attention better. But I don't know what to do about the emotional roller coaster we get from him being so tired from it towards the late afternoon or evenings. He just seems too sedated. I want him to be able to focus, but not be blah. It seems like it took his happiness."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2019

For ADHD "I have been taking Strattera (50 mg) for just under three weeks. I have noticed subtle improvements in focusing and organizing thoughts. The overlapping things to remember in my mind have quieted down. I hope to increase to 80 mg at my four-week mark. These are the side effects I'm experiencing: daily sleepiness, dry mouth (nothing major), runny nose/clear sinuses, and insomnia (until I moved my second dosage to 3 p.m. from 7 p.m.). I really hope the fatigue clears up after a month. That is my biggest concern at the moment. I do not have the appetite suppression, nausea, vomiting, or dizziness that some people have. Also, I take it on an empty stomach. Overall, I'm pleased, but still in the early stages. I would recommend trying Strattera. The generic cost me less than $10 for 30 days."