| Strattera came out around January of 2003, and | | | | usually only give an intervention 2 weeks to work, |
| is becoming more and more popular as a | | | | and move on to something else if they haven't |
| treatment for ADHD. Strattera is a norepinephrine | | | | already seen the results they expect. |
| reuptake inhibitor that came on the market in | | | | Stimulants, when prescribed with the correct |
| 2003. It is becoming more and more popular as a | | | | dose, work in about 20 minutes, so parents tend |
| treatment for ADHD and is available nationally. | | | | to go back to using them, even with their harsher |
| Strattera is a type of ADHD treatment that | | | | side-effects. After all, the parents don't |
| works differently from the other ADHD | | | | experience the unpleasant side-effects -- their |
| medications available. | | | | kids do. But the parents do enjoy the benefits of |
| Strattera works by selectively blocking the | | | | the medication around the home. |
| reuptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine | | | | Our reports also indicate that Strattera, like |
| by certain nerve cells in the brain. This increases | | | | Attend, has fewer "ups and downs" than |
| the availability of norepinephrine, which is thought | | | | stimulants. There can be some stomach problems, |
| to be essential in regulating impulse control, | | | | but there is less of a "rebound" effect. By the |
| organization and attention. | | | | way, for reducing the "rebound" effect of |
| In clinical trials, some patients discontinued their | | | | stimulants, try drinking a Mountain Dew at the 3 |
| stimulant medications within one or two days of | | | | hour mark (for Ritalin). This seems to help a great |
| beginning Strattera. But our reports are that | | | | deal to eliminate the "crashing" off a dose of |
| ADHD kids who had been treated successfully | | | | Ritalin, and make a smooth landing. |
| with stimulants do not seem to respond as well to | | | | In one of the Strattera studies the researchers |
| the Strattera as those ADHD kids who had never | | | | reported that adverse events did occur in some |
| been treated with stimulants. This is probably true, | | | | patients, including rhinitis (33.3%), headache (20%), |
| as we have seen this happen with children and | | | | anorexia (16.7%), and dizziness (16.7%). No |
| teens being treated with ATTEND. We think this | | | | serious side effects were observed and no |
| is because even small doses of stimulants can be | | | | patients stopped medication or discontinued the |
| so effective that they "spoil" both the kids and | | | | study due to adverse events. |
| the parents, and they want to keep taking at | | | | There have been reports of prostate problems in |
| least a tiny dose of stimulant along with either | | | | men with ADHD from various sources, so men |
| their ATTEND or Strattera. Learn more | | | | should be careful. |
| information on Ritalin, and ATTEND at the ADHD | | | | In each of six clinical trials, Strattera was better |
| Information Library. | | | | than placebo in reducing the symptoms of ADHD |
| Please take Strattera exactly as directed by your | | | | in children, adolescents and adults. The positive |
| doctor. Strattera offers flexible dosing, once or | | | | effects of Strattera were seen for overall ADHD |
| twice daily. Discuss a convenient schedule for | | | | symptoms including hyperactive /impulsive |
| taking Strattera with your doctor. | | | | symptoms and inattentive symptoms. But we are |
| Do not take Strattera with any other | | | | not convinced that this statement is very |
| medications, even over-the-counter medications! | | | | powerful. Even coffee is better than placebo. |
| You must talk with your doctor first! Talk to the | | | | Would you take a medication that was not better |
| Pharmacist too! Our reports indicate that there | | | | than placebo? ATTEND, which is a nutritional |
| may be serious problems taking anti-depressants | | | | product, makes statistically significant |
| with Strattera. In fact, our reports indicate that | | | | improvements on the computerized TOVA CPT |
| there can be serious problems taking even | | | | test in 70% of subjects, and 80% improve on |
| Benedryl with Strattera. But our reports indicate | | | | Parent Rating Scales; Ritalin makes statistically |
| that small doses of stimulants may be OK with | | | | significant improvements on the computerized |
| Strattera, and may even enhance treatment. | | | | TOVA CPT test in 80% of subjects. Is Strattera |
| Strattera may be taken with or without food. If | | | | better than these? |
| you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, but | | | | So far, parents love the fact that this is not a |
| do not take more than your total daily dose in | | | | triplicate prescription. Doctors love this too. Ritalin |
| any 24-hour period. If possible, take Strattera at | | | | is a hassle to prescribe, and a hassle to get from |
| the same time every day to keep on schedule. | | | | the pharmacy. However, the bottom line needs to |
| Strattera capsules should never be broken and | | | | be seen in the real world. Does Strattera work |
| sprinkled on food. They must be taken whole. | | | | better than Attend? Does Strattera work better |
| Our reports indicate that it takes 4 to 6 weeks | | | | than stimulants? Will there be any long-term |
| for Strattera to work well (to reach therapeutic | | | | side-effects? How long will families pay $200 a |
| levels). We believe that Lilly will experience the | | | | month before they switch to another treatment |
| same problems that VAXA has in getting people | | | | option? |
| to stick with ATTEND, which also takes 4 to 6 | | | | You can learn more about Strattera at the ADHD |
| weeks to work well. The problem is that parents | | | | Information Library. |