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Strattera, The New Adhd Medication
By Jeannine Virtue, Fri Dec 9th
/p> The newest ADHD medication Strattera (atomoxetine) is expectedto hit the pharmacy shelves this month to much ado. Whatseparates Strattera (atomoxetine) from the rest of the ADHDmedications pack is that Strattera (atomoxetine) is the firstnon-stimulant medication FDA-approved for Attention DeficitDisorder. Strattera (atomoxetine) is not a controlled substanceunder the Controlled Substance Act, which translates to theconvenience of phone-in refills and less prescription hassles atthe pharmacy. Strattera (atomoxetine) is an oral capsuleprescribed in a once or twice daily dose, which also eliminatesthe need for school children to medicate during the school day.And, Strattera (atomoxetine) is the only ADHD medicationFDA-approved for adults. But before you knock on your doctor'sdoor asking for a prescription, there are a few things youshould know about this new ADHD medication. Although Strattera(atomoxetine) is a non-stimulant ADHD medication, it still posesmany side effects consistent with the side effects of other ADHDmedications - and a few new ones that adults might find lessthan pleasant. Common Strattera (atomoxetine) Side Effects include (but notlimited to): _ Problems sleeping/Insomnia _ Dry mouth _Decreased appetite _ Weight loss _ Upset stomach _ Constipation_ Nausea and/or vomiting _ Dizziness _ Tiredness _ Mood swings _Ear infection _ Influenza _ Irritability Sexual side effects (in adults studied): _ Decreased libido _Ejaculatory problems _ Impotence _ Urination problems _ Painfulmenstrual periods
The following, though rare, have also been reported: _ Strattera(atomoxetine) can cause potentially serious allergic reactions. Strattera (atomoxetine) can increase heart rate and bloodpressure. Strattera (atomoxetine) can also worsen the conditionsof high blood pressure and heart disease. Strattera(atomoxetine) should not be taken at the same time as, or withintwo weeks of taking, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Patientswith narrow angle glaucoma should not take Strattera(atomoxetine). You should alert the prescribing physician of the followingcondition before beginning Strattera (atomoxetine); _ Current orpast depression, psychosis or other mental conditions _ Alcoholor drug abuse _ Heart disease _ High blood pressure _ Epilepsyor seizure disorders _ Liver disease or kidney disease _Pregnancy, nursing or plans to become pregnant Strattera (atomoxetine) makers Eli Lilly and Company conductedsix placebo-controlled studies in children, adolescents andadults for FDA submission. Early studies suggest that thepotential of abuse is lower with Strattera (atomoxetine) andside effects may not be as pronounced
as with other ADHDmedications. Two of the trials also tested Strattera'seffectiveness against methylphenidate and stated thatpreliminary evidence indicates comparable effects betweenatomoxetine (Strattera) and methylphenidate (Ritalin).Researchers did, however, state that larger, double-blindstudies are needed to better compare the drugs against eachother. We do expect Strattera (atomoxetine) to become one of theforerunners in ADHD medication, with millions of children onthis new drug in a short amount of time. Although Strattera(atomoxetine) sounds like a good choice - as ADHD medications go- the Attention Deficit Disorder Help Center takes a waryposition until further testing is completed and analyzed. It isimportant to note that this new ADHD medication is new, with thetests for effectiveness lasting between six and 10 weeks and thesafety of this drug only tested for about one year. Theshort-term studies showed that Strattera (atomoxetine) increasedthe heart rate and blood pressure in children. The long-termeffects of increased heart rate and blood pressure are stillunknown. Children fell below their height and weight growthcurves on the longer-term study and again, it is still unknownwhether this will have an affect on adult height. Also ofconcern are the side effects to sexual functioning reported inadult and how that will affect children whose sexual organs arestill developing. In all fairness, this side effect likely wouldnot surface for Ritalin, Adderall or other ADHD medicationssince those are for children. Since Strattera (atomoxetine) willalso be marketed as an adult prescription, clinical tests weredone on adults, which then unearthed sexual side effects. Ourlast concern deals with verbiage on the Strattera (atomoxetine)web site. The following is an excerpt from the www.strattera.comFAQ page; "15. Is there a cure for ADHD? Like other chronicdisorders, ADHD is not curable. Some patients have a remissionof the disease, and may lead productive adolescent and adultlives...." Eli Lilly and Company knows better and we question why the website classified Attention Deficit Disorder as a "disease," andone that people "have a remission" from. Attention DeficitDisorder is NOT a "disease." In fact, Attention Deficit Disorderwas not even a "disorder" until 1980 by the American PsychiatricAssociation classified it as such. Furthermore, people do not"have a remission" from Attention Deficit Disorder, though manychildren with Attention Deficit Disorder lead productiveadolescent and adult lives. About the author:Jeannine Virtue is a freelance journalist and mother of anAttention Deficit Disorder son. Visit the Attention DeficitDisorder Help Center at www.add-adhd-help-center.com to learnabout effective, drug-free alternatives to Ritalin and otherADHD medications.
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