Strattera is a brand name for atomoxetine, which is prescribed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Strattera differs from other common ADHD medications like Ritalin and Adderall in that it is not a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Instead, it belongs to a class of drugs called serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), which are typically described to individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD). While it may come with fewer risks than other CNS stimulants, Strattera withdrawal and addiction are risks that all patients should be aware of. The experts at our Clearbrook Massachusetts rehab share more about Strattera’s mechanism of action, withdrawals, and potential for addiction below.
Strattera, also known by its generic name Atomoxetine, is a common medication prescribed for ADHD symptoms. Unlike stimulant medications like Adderall or Ritalin, Strattera works by regulating norepinephrine in the brain This helps improve focus, concentration, and impulse control
Many people find Strattera effective for managing their ADHD. However, some decide to stop taking it for various reasons. Quitting any psychiatric medication abruptly or “cold turkey” can lead to withdrawal effects. So what happens when you suddenly stop Strattera?
What Is Strattera?
Strattera was the first non-stimulant medication approved by the FDA to treat ADHD symptoms in children, teens, and adults. It works differently than stimulants by inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine. This helps regulate attention and behavior.
Studies show Strattera can effectively:
- Improve focus and concentration
- Reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity
- Help control emotional outbursts
- Improve organization and time management
Compared to stimulants, Strattera has a lower risk of abuse or dependence. This makes it a popular option for those concerned about taking controlled substances.
Strattera must be taken daily. It can take 4-8 weeks to reach full effect. Common side effects include nausea, fatigue, mood swings, and upset stomach. Most side effects subside within 1-2 months as the body adjusts.
Why Do People Stop Taking Strattera?
There are several reasons someone might want to stop taking Strattera. These include:
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It’s ineffective – For some, Strattera doesn’t help manage ADHD symptoms well. They may see no improvement or a worsening of symptoms.
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Side effects – Up to 80% of people report side effects with Strattera, especially initially. For some these effects are intolerable.
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Cost – Strattera is expensive, with 30 capsules retailing for $400-500 without insurance. The expense leads many to discontinue it.
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Changing medications – A doctor may advise transitioning from Strattera to a stimulant medication or vice versa. This requires stopping Strattera first.
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Pregnancy/breastfeeding – Strattera has not been studied for safety during pregnancy. Doctors recommend stopping its use if pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Drug interactions – Taking Strattera with certain other medications can increase side effects. A doctor may advise stopping it to avoid complications.
Regardless of the reason, it’s generally recommended to taper Strattera slowly under a doctor’s supervision. Quitting abruptly can cause withdrawal effects.
Strattera Withdrawal Symptoms and Duration
Strattera doesn’t cause withdrawal effects in everyone. But some people do experience symptoms upon quitting suddenly. These are usually mild compared to stimulant withdrawal. However, they can still be uncomfortable.
Symptoms of Strattera withdrawal may include:
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Headaches
- Brain fog
- Impaired concentration
- Stomach pain
- Dizziness
These symptoms tend to peak within the first 3 days after stopping Strattera. Most gradually subside within 1-2 weeks. However, some report effects persisting for a month or longer.
Factors that can influence the severity and duration of Strattera withdrawal include:
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Dosage – Those on higher doses usually have more intense withdrawal effects.
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Length of use – Taking it for longer increases likelihood of dependence and withdrawal.
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Rate of discontinuation – Quitting cold turkey causes more severe effects vs gradual tapering.
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Individual physiology – Some people are more sensitive to medication changes than others.
With only a mild dependence risk, Strattera withdrawal tends to be less severe than stimulant withdrawal. But quitting cold turkey can still be very unpleasant for some.
Is It Safe to Stop Strattera Cold Turkey?
Most doctors advise against suddenly stopping any psychiatric medication, including Strattera. While not technically dangerous, doing so can cause distressing withdrawal symptoms.
Quitting Strattera cold turkey risks:
- Worsening ADHD symptoms, making it hard to function
- Increased anxiety, depression, irritability
- Severe fatigue, brain fog, lack of concentration
- Disruption to school, work, relationships
- Potentially life-threatening effects for those with heart conditions
These effects can persist for weeks after abruptly stopping. This makes cold turkey discontinuation very difficult and inadvisable for most.
Instead, doctors recommend tapering Strattera slowly under medical supervision. This gives the brain time to adjust and avoids shocking the system. Tapering minimizes withdrawal severity and complications.
Tips for Stopping Strattera Safely
No one should stop Strattera without first consulting their prescribing doctor. But if discontinuation is advised, these tips can help make it easier:
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Taper gradually – Reduce Strattera dose slowly over weeks/months vs stopping all at once. This prevents major chemical changes in the brain.
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Focus on health – Eat nutritious foods, stay hydrated, exercise, and get enough sleep while withdrawing. This supports physical and mental wellbeing.
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Ask for support – Rely on loved ones for encouragement and help managing responsibilities during withdrawal. Don’t isolate yourself.
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Avoid triggers – Steer clear of anything that worsens symptoms like caffeine, alcohol, or stressful situations.
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Consider alternatives – Discuss non-drug options with your doctor to help manage ADHD symptoms post-Strattera. These may include therapy, coaching, mindfulness, organization tools, or dietary changes.
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Be patient – Withdrawal is temporary. Ride out symptoms knowing they will pass as your brain chemistry stabilizes.
The Takeaway
Discontinuing any psychiatric medication should be done carefully under medical supervision. Strattera has a relatively mild withdrawal syndrome compared to stimulants.
However, stopping it abruptly can still cause difficult effects like anxiety, fatigue, and poor concentration. These disrupt school, work, relationships, and more.
Tapering Strattera slowly reduces withdrawal severity. Coping tools, lifestyle changes, and support also ease the transition off the medication. By working closely with their doctor, most people can safely stop Strattera without major complications.
How Does Strattera Work?
For ADHD, Strattera is a relatively new medication that came out in 2002, with its generic version having been introduced in 2017. It is only approved by the FDA for the treatment of ADHD and nothing else. It is also considered a safe and effective medication, controlling ADHD in some patients as effectively as stimulant medications but with fewer side effects.
Strattera works by blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine in the synaptic gap (space between nerve cells), which is why it’s referred to as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI). Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter or chemical that plays a major role in regulating attention, impulse control, and executive functions in the brain.
In the brain, chemicals like norepinephrine are used to transmit signals from one nerve cell to another. After the chemical is released, some of the neurotransmitter molecules are reabsorbed back into the original nerve cell, a process otherwise referred to as reuptake.
By blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine, Strattera increases its availability in the brain. This helps to improve mood and behavior symptoms associated with ADHD. As a result, the individual may experience improved concentration, longer periods of focus, and a decrease in impulse and hyperactive behavior.
Strattera is prescribed in capsules and available in 10mg, 18mg, 25mg, 40mg, and 60mg. It is intended to be taken orally twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening. When first starting Strattera, patients may experience several side effects as their body becomes accustomed to the drug.
These effects may include upset stomach, decreased appetite, insomnia, mood swings, and others. If you experience any severe effects upon taking Strattera, speak to your doctor immediately.
Because Strattera is not a central nervous stimulant like other ADHD medications, it does not produce severe withdrawal symptoms, mainly because it affects the norepinephrine neurotransmitter instead of dopamine or serotonin. Therefore, Strattera withdrawals are much less severe than those of stimulant medications.
While rare, however, possible Strattera withdrawal symptoms include:
- Rebound ADHD symptoms
- Irritability and mood changes
- Fatigue and tiredness
- Sleep disturbances
- Nause and gastrointestinal discomfort
- Headaches
Withdrawal from Strattera is unlikely to occur as it would with medications that impact neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Additionally, while it’s common for individuals taking ADHD medications like Ritalin and Adderall to experience a “crash” when effects wear off, this symptom does not apply to Strattera use.
Dopamine impacts learning, attention, and mood, and most ADHD medications target this chemical to regulate attention, focus, and behavior. However, when taken in high doses or more frequently than directed, dopamine levels may decrease following a spike, resulting in a “crash”.
Strattera, on the other hand, is a non-stimulant medication, meaning it does not impact dopamine in the same way that other ADHD medications do. The chemical it targets – norepinephrine – has lesser effects on attention and mood and is not as severe on the CNS as other stimulants.
How Long Does Strattera Withdrawal Last?
In most cases, individuals who stop taking Strattera experience very minimal withdrawal symptoms, if they experience any. This is because Strattera specifically affects norepinephrine – as we mentioned – and these types of medications usually do not produce severe withdrawals.
However, in cases where Strattera withdrawal does occur, symptoms can last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Some major factors that affect the nature and duration of Strattera withdrawal include dosage, frequency of use, duration of use, and the individual’s overall health.
Because most ADHD medications are addictive, it’s common for people to wonder whether Strattera has any potential for dependency. However, since Strattera is a non-stimulant drug, it does not produce any feelings of euphoria or well-being as other stimulants would, meaning it does not produce a high.
Also, considering dopamine’s role in addiction, this medication does not currently have a known risk for addiction. Strattera is also not scheduled as a controlled substance in the U.S., meaning it is not recognized to have a potential for abuse or addiction by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
This further supports the unlikeliness of physical dependence on Strattera. However, tolerance is possible. If a person takes Strattera in higher doses or for longer periods than prescribed, the individual may eventually become accustomed to its effects and eventually require a higher dose to experience them.
Drug-taking behavior like that mentioned above can increase the risk of overdose. What’s more, prescription drugs that are not necessarily addictive can act as gateway drugs when abused. In other words, a person who abuses Strattera to get high may turn to more addictive and hardcore medications or illicit substances instead.
What Happened When I Stopped Taking My Medication
FAQ
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