Strattera (Atomoxetine)

What Strattera treats

Atomoxetine affects norepinephrine signaling involved in attention and impulse control. It is used for ADHD and is not a general treatment for low energy, ordinary forgetfulness or the pressures of study and work. The diagnosis requires a history of symptoms and impairment that cannot be explained better by another condition.

A nonstimulant option may be useful for some patients, but it is not automatically safer or more suitable for everyone. We consider previous response, side effects, other medicines and your health. Sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, substance use and medical problems may need assessment alongside the ADHD symptoms.

Treatment goals should relate to your daily life. You may want to complete tasks more consistently, manage impulsive decisions or cope better with school or work routines. We discuss how progress will be assessed, including support beyond medication, rather than judge success solely by whether a capsule produces a noticeable sensation.

Assessment before prescribing

Bring any previous ADHD assessment, relevant school or work history and a list of treatments tried. Tell us which symptoms remain troublesome, when they began and where they cause difficulties. If the diagnosis is uncertain or additional specialist assessment is needed, we explain that before making a prescribing decision.

We review blood pressure and pulse, personal heart history and family history of sudden cardiac death or serious rhythm problems. Tell us about fainting, chest pain during activity, glaucoma, liver disease or a pheochromocytoma. These details can change suitability and whether an examination, ECG or further assessment is necessary.

We also ask about depression, suicidal thoughts, bipolar symptoms and previous periods of unusually elevated mood or reduced need for sleep. Bring a full medication list, including supplements and nonprescription products. A refill request still needs these changes reviewed if your health or other treatment has changed since the last prescription.

Strattera price and medication purchase

The cost depends on whether branded Strattera or generic atomoxetine is prescribed, the capsule strength and the quantity. The medicine shown beside this article is generic atomoxetine. We confirm the actual prescription and medication charge before purchase, including whether a shorter supply is appropriate during the initial dose review.

For a market reference, discounted pharmacy listings for generic atomoxetine 40 mg show approximately $36.28 for 30 capsules. Other strengths have different listings, such as approximately $43.80 for 30 capsules of 10 mg. These examples should not be used to choose a dose or assume that all strengths have the same price.

Retail prices are estimates and may change frequently. Brand availability and pharmacy terms can affect the final cost. Consultation charges are separate from medication supply, and repeat prescribing depends on benefit, tolerability and the monitoring agreed with your clinician.

Starting treatment and dose changes

Atomoxetine is usually taken once daily or in divided doses according to the prescription. The starting dose and any increase depend on age, body weight where relevant, response and interacting medicines. The product strength displayed here is not a universal starting dose or an instruction for a child.

Take the capsules at consistent times, with or without food as instructed. Swallow them whole and do not open or chew them. The contents can irritate the eyes. If a capsule breaks and the powder contacts the eyes, rinse with water and seek advice according to the product instructions.

Dose changes are planned rather than made from day to day according to workload. Tell us if nausea, sleepiness, reduced appetite or sleep disturbance is affecting regular use. We can review timing, tolerability and the treatment plan instead of leaving you to choose between missed doses and persistent side effects.

Allowing time to judge benefit

Atomoxetine takes time to work, and the full response may develop over several weeks. An early review focuses on safety and tolerability as well as any improvement. Lack of an immediate effect does not justify taking an extra capsule or increasing the dose without the agreed assessment.

Record practical changes such as finishing tasks, interrupting less often or following a routine more consistently. Also note sleep, appetite and emotional changes. Feedback from a parent, partner or teacher can be useful when appropriate and agreed. We aim to understand functioning across daily life rather than rely on one good or difficult day.

If the response remains inadequate after an appropriate trial, we revisit the diagnosis, adherence, dose and other contributing conditions. Medication is only part of care. Skills support, environmental changes, treatment of sleep problems or psychological therapy may be important alongside a medicine or as part of an alternative plan.

Mood and behavior monitoring

Children and adolescents need close observation for suicidal thoughts and unusual behavior, particularly early in treatment and after dose changes. Families should know which changes to report and how to obtain urgent help. New self-harm thoughts should never be treated as something to wait through until the next routine review.

Agitation, irritability, aggression, hallucinations or symptoms of mania also need assessment. Tell us about a sudden reduction in sleep with unusually elevated energy, reckless behavior or a marked change in personality. We consider the medicine and other possible causes and arrange appropriate mental health care.

Adults should also report new or worsening mood symptoms. If there is immediate risk of harm, seek emergency help. For other changes, contact the prescribing team promptly rather than silently stopping and restarting. A clear follow-up plan makes it easier to respond early and decide whether treatment should continue.

Blood pressure, pulse and liver symptoms

Atomoxetine can increase heart rate and blood pressure. We review baseline measurements and repeat them during treatment, including after relevant dose changes. People with particular cardiovascular conditions may not be suitable for it. Chest pain, fainting or a sustained racing heartbeat requires prompt assessment rather than an assumption that it is anxiety.

Rare but serious liver injury has been reported. Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, itching, right-sided upper abdominal pain or unexplained flu-like symptoms should prompt urgent medical advice. Do not take further doses until a clinician advises you if liver injury is suspected. Tell us about previous liver disease before treatment.

Routine care also includes appetite and weight. Children may need growth monitoring over time. A substantial reduction in eating or weight deserves review even if attention has improved. We weigh benefit against adverse effects and discuss alternatives when the treatment is not sustainable.

Interactions and other precautions

Atomoxetine must not be used with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or within the required separation period. Tell us about antidepressants, including fluoxetine and paroxetine, because some can increase atomoxetine exposure and change dose decisions. Bring the exact names rather than assuming all antidepressants have the same interaction profile.

We also review decongestants, blood pressure medicines and treatments that affect heart rate or rhythm. A product for a cold or an energy supplement may worsen palpitations or blood pressure. Let us know before adding one, particularly during the first weeks of treatment or after a dose adjustment.

Discuss pregnancy, breastfeeding and plans to conceive. Urinary difficulty, sexual side effects or a prolonged painful erection should be reported; an erection lasting several hours needs emergency care. These concerns can be uncomfortable to raise, but they are relevant to deciding whether the medicine remains appropriate for you.

Follow-up and repeat prescriptions

Bring a short record of benefit, side effects and recent blood pressure and pulse measurements to the review. Tell us about missed doses, changes in sleep or new medicines. If treatment has been interrupted for a significant period, ask about restarting rather than resume a previous high dose without review.

An online consultation can support assessment of established care and selected prescription requests. A new diagnosis, physical concerns or missing records may require additional evaluation. We explain what is needed and can coordinate the next step rather than treat an unconfirmed ADHD diagnosis as a routine capsule order.

When the treatment is effective and monitoring is current, we can review the next prescription and help arrange supply. Request the review before running out. If atomoxetine is not helping enough, we discuss a different plan rather than continue it indefinitely because it has become part of the routine.

Planning treatment around school or work

Practical supports remain useful while medication is being assessed. Breaking tasks into manageable steps, reducing distractions and using reminders can help make changes easier to observe. We discuss the difficulties that matter to you rather than assume that the same routine will work for every person with ADHD.

If you want a parent, partner or other support person involved, agree what information they can share and receive. Their observations may help identify benefit or side effects, but your own experience remains central to the review. For children, school feedback can be useful when obtained appropriately.

Tell us if the treatment schedule affects meals, sleep or work responsibilities. We can review timing and the wider plan rather than leave you to take doses inconsistently. The goal is an improvement you can maintain in ordinary life, with side effects and monitoring addressed alongside symptom scores.

Common questions