Strattera is indicated for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6 and older, teens, and adults.
 

 

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Common Side Effects in Adult Patients

It is important to share your concerns about the benefits and risks of treating ADHD vs not treating it with your healthcare provider. All therapies for ADHD, including Strattera, have potential benefits and risks that should be understood.

Common side effects with Strattera may include:

  • Nausea—A common side effect may be nausea. Your healthcare provider may advise you to take Strattera with food.
  • Problems sleeping—Another common side effect can be having trouble going to sleep and staying asleep. Your healthcare provider may advise you to adjust the time of day you take the medication.
Every medicine offers benefits for many patients, along with the possibility of undesired effects. For additional risk information, see the Important Safety Information for Strattera and the FDA Medication Guide.

Some important risks to consider with Strattera are:

  • Suicidal thoughts—An analysis of clinical trial data conducted by Eli Lilly and Company has indicated that suicidal thoughts were more frequently observed among children and teens treated with Strattera (4 out of every 1,000 patients, or about ½ of 1%). There were no suicides in patients taking Strattera during clinical trials. There was no indication of an increased risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors among adult Strattera patients.
     
  • Liver damage—Strattera can cause liver damage in rare cases. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have itching, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, upper right-side abdominal tenderness, or unexplained "flu-like" symptoms.

Please see Important Safety Information and FDA Medication Guide.

Indication
Strattera is indicated for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6 and older, teens, and adults.

Important Safety Information

What should I talk about with the healthcare provider?
Child/Teen: In some children and teens, Strattera increases the risk of suicidal thoughts. A combined analysis of 12 studies of Strattera showed that in children and teens, 4 out of every 1000 patients developed suicidal thoughts, although no suicides occurred. A similar analysis in adults treated with Strattera did not reveal an increased risk of suicidal thoughts. Call your doctor right away if your child has thoughts of suicide or sudden changes in mood or behavior, especially at the beginning of treatment or after a change in dose.

What other important information should I discuss with the healthcare provider?
Child/Teen: Tell your doctor about any family history of bipolar illness (manic-depressive illness) or suicidal thoughts or actions before starting Strattera. Call the doctor right away if your child develops new psychological symptoms such as abnormal thoughts/behaviors and/or extreme elevated or irritable moods while taking Strattera.

Child/Teen and Adult: In rare cases, Strattera can cause liver injury. Call your doctor right away if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms.

Tell your doctor if you have any heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems. Your doctor should check you carefully for heart problems before starting Strattera. Call your doctor right away if you have any signs of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking Strattera. Rarely, sudden death has been reported in patients who have heart problems or heart defects. There have also been rare reports of stroke and heart attack.

Child/Teen and Adult: Erections that won't go away (priapism) have occurred rarely during treatment with Strattera. If you or your child has an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, seek medical help right away.

Who should not take Strattera?
Child/Teen and Adult: Strattera should not be taken if you:

  • Are taking or have taken within the past 14 days an anti-depression medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor or MAOI
  • Have an eye problem called glaucoma
  • Are allergic to anything in Strattera

Can Strattera be taken with other medicines?
Child/Teen and Adult: Tell your doctor about all the medicines that you take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Strattera and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Your doctor will decide whether Strattera can be taken with other medicines.

What are the possible side effects of Strattera?
Child/Teen: The most common side effects in children and teenagers were upset stomach, decreased appetite, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, tiredness, mood swings and slowing of growth in children.

Talk to your healthcare provider if your child experiences slowing of growth (height and weight). Children should have height and weight checked often while taking Strattera and your healthcare provider may stop Strattera treatment if a problem is found during these checkups.

Adult: The most common side effects in adults include constipation, dry mouth, nausea, decreased appetite, dizziness, trouble sleeping, sexual side effects, menstrual cramps, and problems passing urine.

Child/Teen and Adult: Other serious side effects include allergic reactions such as swelling or hives.

For more information, see the FDA Medication Guide.