Quitting Strattera after 6 weeks

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

It has become increasingly clear that my son doesn’t do well on a norepinephrine re-uptake drug like Strattera or even Strattera in combination with a dopamine receptor site drug. With his combined ADD/ADHD, he is just too goofy and motoric. He, apparently, needs a dopamine receptor site drug taken by itself, and I am currently using Focalin. Upon starting Focalin alone last week, he immediately focused better and was less hyperactive and disruptive in class. Interestingly, with his better focus, he immediately read better than he had in the prior two months—more fluent and fewer insertions and substitutions. He is now making 2-3 mistakes per page, not 15-20. The down side with Focalin is that he is once again having sleep onset problems. Nothing is ever perfect!!

Because Focalin doesn’t have a long-acting form, my son has to take it at school at noon and then late afternoon for homework. I will probably retry long-acting Concerta—at the higher dosage that is now being recommended—or try the ritalin patch (worn on the back and taken off at night) which is to come out this month.

Over the last two months, I have shared my Strattera saga with all of you. I had so hoped that a nonstimulant would work for my son. Instead, I am returning to the stimulants—imperfect as they are—because my son functions best on them. I do hope some of your children will have better luck than mine.

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 04/03/2003 - 1:07 PM

Permalink

Dear Pat,
My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD last Thanksgiving. The first med was Focalin and did it ever work. The best she has ever been. Side effects: Loss of Appetite and there was days it was like she was looking right thru me when I would look into those precious eyes. They eventually went away but the Goal of Doc was to get her on something once a day because she starts Kindergarten in August. Doctor then tried Adderall XR and now Ritalin LA (both not as effective) as Focalin. Her Psychologist tells me I’m stressed over things I can’t control. I’m way ahead of the game. There are pleanty other meds out there that I haven’t tried yet . I have 4 months to try them and the worst that could happen is to put her back on Focalin (something that really worked for her). I told her I just wanted the best for her. The thought of her having to stand in line to get pill at school just crushes me but If it helps her I guess I will just deal with it. HOPEFULLY we will find something soon that is once a day. I was just called into work I will write more later. Thanks for your time. Sherree

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 04/03/2003 - 11:40 PM

Permalink

Thanks for sharing how Strattera worked for your son.

Historically the central nervous system stimulants/alerting agents are the single classification of meds which tend to temporary reduce classic ADHD symptoms.

Your experience proves that these meds are not interchangeable.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/04/2003 - 2:42 AM

Permalink

Strattera was a bust for us as well…and…I regret even rocking the boat and trying to take him off the stimulants…because he took a real dive in his grades on Strattera…. Then we tried no meds for about 2 months and things went from bad to worse.. Finally this week, the pediatrician asked to have a “talk” with him…. he is now on Adderall and back to his old self….focused and doing his homework.. My son in college is still trying Strattera but he tells me his stomach is still bothering him after 2 months…he is ready to give up on Strattera too…

Glad to hear your son is doing better…he is a real great kid….

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/04/2003 - 4:07 AM

Permalink

Never heard of Strattera or focalin. We have only had Ritalin, Adderall( which cause anger and agression in the PM, and now Concerta) Problem- impulsive behavior. Calling everyone in the phone book. Taking all pictures out of albums, going through all drawers and closets. I am at work and it is the time between end of school day and my getting home. Husband here, but not paying any attention to him. This boy is middle school age, but the behaviors are so infantile. His LD seems worse this year- but the hormones are raging.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/04/2003 - 5:08 PM

Permalink

There’s just no predicting which medication will work for individual kids. Ds has been on Strattera for six weeks after switching from Adderall. His sleep is much better and he is no longer Mr. Hyde in the morning. His appetite has improved greatly. I can’t say the attention (he’s ADD without the H) is greatly improved over Adderall, but it is at least as good and his behavior is much better. Concerta plunged our family into a living nightmare that I am amazed we all survived.

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 04/04/2003 - 5:59 PM

Permalink

This medication is a nightmare to men past puberty. Please do not give this medication to your male children if you ever want to be grandparents

Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 04/05/2003 - 11:32 PM

Permalink

I think Tom is talking about the various sexual dysfunctions caused by some of the serotonin and other re-uptake drugs in some men and women who take them. I won’t go into the various dysfunctions in this post but a search of the various medical sites will detail them. The dysfunction has to do with either loss of desire or functional/mechanical problems. I think Tom is saying that in some cases a woman could not get pregnant because of the man’s functional problems.

I don’t believe there is any research that claim genetic changes from taking the drugs or infertility. There is research that indicates a pregnant woman taking such drugs could negatively impact her fetus and many psychiatrists stop these meds during pregnancy for this reason. Basically, each drug has its own research on this topic.

I believe that I said in one post that most of us do not have to worry about the sexual dysfunctions at this time, e.g. our children are too young. However down the road one of our young adult sons who take one of these drugs (if they are still around) may have to worry about this problem. At present, a number of adults taking the SSRI anti-depressants (e.g., paxal, etc.) develop a sexual dysfunction problem and stop taking the anti-depressants for this reason.

If I got Tom’s point wrong, hopefully he will clarify it for us.

Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 04/22/2003 - 1:14 AM

Permalink

Pat,
Just wondering how your Child was doing on the Focalin. I mentioned earlier that our daughter did great on it but then the doctor put her meds once a day tried Adderall Xr, Ritalin LA, and Stratttera. Nothing worked. Only Focalin. So, we have her back on that starting on 4/22/03. Anxious to see if it still works for her. Any side effects for your child. Hopefully its working for you.

Back to Top