Strattera is the brand name of the medication atomoxetine, a medication that helps treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Strattera is designed to address ADHD patients, like paying attention, staying focused, concentrating, and controlling impulsive behaviors. While this medication is relatively safe to take when taken as directed by a doctor, it’s important to speak to the prescribing doctor when stopping. Strattera withdrawal is a common side effect of suddenly quitting the drug, which can lead to uncomfortable symptoms.
Strattera, also known by its generic name atomoxetine, is a non-stimulant medication that is commonly prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, teens, and adults. It works by increasing and regulating the levels of norepinephrine in the brain, which can help improve focus and concentration.
While Strattera can be an effective treatment option for many people with ADHD, some may eventually want to stop taking the medication for various reasons. A common question that arises is whether it is safe to stop taking Strattera “cold turkey,” meaning stopping the medication abruptly rather than tapering off slowly under medical supervision.
Is It Safe to Stop Strattera Cold Turkey?
The short answer is no—it is generally not recommended to stop taking Strattera cold turkey. Strattera, like many other psychiatric medications, can cause withdrawal symptoms if it is stopped suddenly after taking it for an extended period of time. These potential withdrawal symptoms make it preferable to taper off Strattera gradually, with the guidance of your prescribing doctor.
Some possible withdrawal symptoms that can occur if Strattera is stopped abruptly include:
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Hypertension
- Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
Additionally many people report experiencing a recurrence or worsening of their original ADHD symptoms after stopping Strattera suddenly. This makes sense when considering that Strattera was likely helping manage those symptoms while they were taking it.
Stopping any psychiatric medication cold turkey is not advisable However, this is especially true for Strattera because it has an exceptionally long half-life compared to many other medications. Strattera’s half-life is around 21 hours, meaning it takes over a full day for the amount of Strattera in your system to be reduced by half after your last dose. Other ADHD medications like Adderall and Ritalin have much shorter half-lives of less than 5 hours.
The long half-life of Strattera means that withdrawal symptoms can take 1-2 weeks to fully manifest if the medication is stopped abruptly. Gradual tapering minimizes the severity of withdrawal symptoms by giving your body and brain more time to adjust to functioning without the medication.
Why Stopping Strattera Cold Turkey Can Be Dangerous
In addition to causing uncomfortable withdrawal effects, suddenly stopping a psychiatric medication like Strattera can also be dangerous in some cases.
Two significant potential risks of Strattera withdrawal are suicide and severe changes in blood pressure. Although very rare, there have been some reports of suicidal thoughts emerging during Strattera withdrawal. There is also a risk of spikes in blood pressure, which can sometimes be severe, especially if Strattera is stopped without tapering.
Extremely high blood pressure, also known as hypertensive crisis, needs emergency medical treatment and can lead to dangerous health complications when left untreated. Hypertensive crisis can happen with Strattera withdrawal because Strattera works by raising levels of norepinephrine, a hormone that increases blood pressure. Abruptly quitting Strattera removes its regulatory effect on norepinephrine signaling, which can result in surges of norepinephrine that severely elevate blood pressure.
While not common, the risks of suicidal ideation and hypertensive crisis mean it is essential to consult with a doctor when discontinuing Strattera. Your doctor can help minimize risks by creating a gradual tapering schedule and monitoring for any emerging side effects.
How to Safely Stop Taking Strattera
The safest way to stop taking Strattera is to gradually taper it under the supervision of your prescribing doctor. This helps your body and brain to slowly adjust to lower levels of the medication over time. Follow these best practices when discontinuing Strattera:
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Never stop Strattera suddenly or cold turkey. Work with your doctor to create a tapering schedule over several weeks or longer.
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Take Strattera exactly as prescribed during the taper. Do not adjust your tapering dose on your own without your doctor’s guidance.
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Expect some withdrawal symptoms. Tapering minimizes symptoms, but you may still experience some irritability, nausea, headache, etc.
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Watch for severe symptoms. Notify your doctor immediately if you develop suicidal thoughts or experience symptoms of hypertensive crisis like chest pain, severe headache, blurred vision, or shortness of breath.
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Consider alternatives if needed. Discuss switching to a different medication or non-drug treatment with your doctor if ADHD symptoms return severely during or after stopping Strattera.
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Be patient. It can take time for your body’s norepinephrine signaling and ADHD symptoms to stabilize after completing Strattera discontinuation. Give it several weeks before assessing if you need alternative treatment.
With close medical supervision and a gradual taper, stopping Strattera does not have to be difficult or dangerous. However, it absolutely should not be done cold turkey or without guidance from your doctor. The risks are simply too high.
Here are some more specific tips that your doctor may recommend while tapering Strattera:
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Decrease your Strattera dose gradually in small increments, such as by 10-25 mg every 5-7 days.
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Take each tapered dose consistently for at least a week before decreasing the dose again.
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Schedule regular check-ins with your doctor to monitor your progress and watch for any side effects.
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Ask your doctor if taking an intermediate acting medication like Vyvanse or Ritalin for a short time could help manage ADHD symptoms during the taper.
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Consider temporarily increasing lifestyle factors that can help improve ADHD, like getting regular exercise, using productivity tools, and improving sleep habits.
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See your doctor immediately if symptoms become unmanageable at any point during the taper. They may decide to slow down the discontinuation schedule.
Why Your Doctor May Recommend Stopping Strattera
There are several reasons why your doctor may advise you to taper off of Strattera, including:
Strattera is not effectively managing your symptoms. If you and your doctor determine that Strattera is not providing enough improvement in your ADHD symptoms, they may recommend switching medications or exploring non-drug treatment options. Tapering off Strattera would be the first step in this process.
You are experiencing unpleasant side effects. Strattera can sometimes cause side effects like nausea, fatigue, insomnia, and low libido. If the side effects outweigh the benefits of taking Strattera, your doctor will guide you through safely tapering off of it.
You want to try managing ADHD without medication. Some people want to discontinue Strattera to see if they can adequately control their symptoms through therapy, lifestyle changes, coaching, and utilizing ADHD-friendly strategies. Your doctor can supervise gradually stopping Strattera while you implement alternative treatments.
You become pregnant. Strattera is typically not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, so your doctor will have you taper off Strattera if you become pregnant.
You develop certain health conditions. Strattera may need to be discontinued if you develop certain heart conditions, liver disease, or glaucoma. Your doctor will have you taper off Strattera slowly under medical supervision if this occurs.
You have reached a stopping age. Strattera has only been approved for use in children under 18 for 3 years. So if you started Strattera prior to age 18, your doctor will initiate tapering off of it once you turn 18.
Regardless of the reason for discontinuing Strattera, following the tapering schedule provided by your doctor is crucial for safely transitioning off of the medication.
Alternatives to Stopping Strattera Cold Turkey
Quitting psychiatric medications cold turkey is never advisable. Here are some alternatives to consider if you hope to stop taking Strattera:
Gradual medication taper under medical supervision
As described above, slowly tapering Strattera under your doctor’s guidance allows your body to safely adjust to discontinuation of the medication. This minimizes withdrawal side effects and risks.
Switch to a different ADHD medication
Rather than stopping medication treatment altogether, your doctor may recommend transitioning from Strattera to an alternative ADHD medication like a stimulant or non-stimulant. The new medication can be cross-tapered with the declining Strattera dose.
Short-term use of propranolol
Propranolol is a blood pressure medication sometimes used during Strattera withdrawal to prevent spikes in blood pressure. Short-term propranolol may ease withdrawal.
Try non-drug ADHD treatments
Behavioral interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), coaching, and developing ADHD-friendly habits can allow some to stop taking Strattera while still effectively managing symptoms.
Take a “medication vacation”
In some cases, a doctor may approve stopping Strattera for a short, defined period like a week or two. This brief medication vacation can provide a break to assess if ADHD symptoms are tolerable without Strattera.
While these alternatives are safer than abruptly quitting Strattera cold turkey, they should still only be done under medical supervision with guidance on minimizing potential side effects and risks.
When Can Strattera Be Stop
Understanding Withdrawal From Strattera
Although Strattera isn’t addictive like stimulant medications such as Ritalin and Adderall, patients should always set up a meeting with a doctor if they’re no longer interested in taking it. It’s important to follow the schedule provided by a doctor when taking any prescription medication to prevent a reaction known as withdrawal. For this reason, it’s important to discuss a tapering schedule with you doctor should you choose to stop taking this medication.
The timeline for experiencing withdrawal symptoms from Strattera can vary considerably, depending on how long you have been taking the medication and the dosage. Factors like your age, metabolic rate, genetic factors, and the health of your organs can also influence how quickly Strattera leaves your system. If you have been on a high dose or have used the medication for an extended period, it might take longer for your body to adjust and completely rid itself of Strattera.
If you find yourself struggling with managing the withdrawal symptoms, consider seeking a medically assisted detoxification program. Such programs provide support and medical oversight, helping you navigate both the physical and psychological challenges that may arise during the withdrawal process. Medical Professionals in these programs can offer tailored advice and support, ensuring a safer and more comfortable transition off the medication.
How Does Strattera Work?
Strattera is the first non-stimulant medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ADHD. While Strattera and other non-stimulant medications are considered to be less effective than psychostimulants in treating ADHD, they could be a safer alternative for some patients. For this reason, atomoxetine is considered a second or third-line medication.
Strattera works by increasing the amount of norepinephrine in the central nervous system. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter and hormone that plays an important role in your body’s fight-or-flight response. This response appears to help alleviate ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity and hyperactivity.
Strattera comes in capsules and different doses, including 10, 18, 25, 40, and 60 mg strengths. It’s intended to be taken orally, usually twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening. The dosage and frequency of use are determined by the doctor and decided based on the individual’s symptoms, medical history, and other factors.
It can take a few weeks for a person’s body to become accustomed to taking Strattera. Common side effects that patients may experience in the beginning include:
- Decreased appetite
- Dizziness
- Mood swings
- Nausea or vomiting
- Tiredness
- Upset stomach
These side effects usually dissipate as more time passes and the person’s body gets into the rhythm of taking the medication.
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FAQ
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