Strattera Addiction Rehab & Recovery
While it appears that people won’t need Strattera addiction rehab and recovery programs because the drug isn’t addictive, it can still cause dangerous effects, and young people who use Strattera may be more likely to abuse stimulant drugs such as cocaine in the future.
The problems caused by existing drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine (meth) are bad enough, but there are also newer drugs. Sometimes they make problems better, but sometimes they make things worse.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) drugs such as Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine), Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine), Ritalin (methylphenidate), Focalin (dexmethylphenidate), and Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) are often stimulants and highly addictive.
A relatively new drug for ADHD—approved in 2002, a generic version introduced in 2017—is not problem-free but it may be a safer alternative.
What Is Strattera?
Strattera is a brand name for atomoxetine, a drug used primarily for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Unlike most other ADHD drugs, which are stimulants, Strattera is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI), a type of drug that is usually an antidepressant.
Not Strattera. It is only approved for ADHD, though it has been tested for off-label use. Strattera has proven to be as good at controlling ADHD as some other drugs (though not extended-release methylphenidate) and without some of the side effects.
That doesn’t mean it should always be preferred. For one thing, it doesn’t improve academic performance. Another drawback is that it can take eight weeks for atomoxetine to take full effect.
How Is Strattera Used?
Atomoxetine comes in a capsule form that is only meant to be taken orally and whole. The capsules should not be chewed and the atomoxetine should not be removed from the capsule. The prescribed dosage and frequency should not be exceeded or reduced. While atomoxetine seems to have a low risk for abuse — at least in part because, unlike stimulants, it produces no euphoria — Strattera can have side effects, including some dangerous drug interactions.> The most common side effects in children taking atomoxetine include: Strattera also may temporarily suppress growth in children and adolescents for as long as two years, though most seem to recover the lost growth. Adults who used atomoxetine in clinical trials had additional side effects, including: There was some apprehension that heart attacks, strokes, and sudden deaths due to Strattera and stimulant ADHD meds were possible, but the evidence has not borne this out. Still, that’s why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends all users of ADHD medications should keep track of their blood pressure and heart rate. There may be an increased risk of depression, suicidal thoughts and acts with Strattera as well. Can you abuse Strattera? Probably not. Strattera has no known risk for addiction, so it’s less likely that people will struggle with abuse, addiction, or long-term effects of Strattera. And in cases of comorbidity of ADHD and anxiety, Strattera seems to reduce both.
Side Effects of Strattera Abuse
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Watch Out for Drug Interactions with Strattera
People should not use Strattera if they are also taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), a category of antidepressants. It is also strictly forbidden to use it with drugs such as dacomitinib, givosiran, iobenguane I 131, lefamulin, among others. Even if people stop using Strattera, they should not start using MAOIs for at least two weeks because of the risk of serious side effects, including fever and seizures, maybe even death.
It is contraindicated to use this drug with persons suffering from hypersensitivity, pheochromocytoma, narrow-angle glaucoma, and severe cardiovascular disorders. This drug can significantly increase blood pressure and heart rate.
Can Strattera Be Abused and Is Strattera Addictive?
Because Strattera is a non-stimulant drug, it does not produce euphoria or the increased focus associated with some stimulant ADHD drugs. Users don’t feel a Strattera high and won’t find Strattera addictive. It is the only ADHD medication that is not a controlled substance.
It still may lead to addiction to other drugs.
A 2013 study from Boston University found that while some stimulants increase the likelihood of later cocaine addiction among rats showing ADHD-type symptoms, Strattera did not. However, a group of rats that didn’t display ADHD symptoms did show an increased risk. This suggests that it’s a mistake to prescribe Strattera for people not living with ADHD.
Strattera Long-Term Side Effects
One of the most important long-term adverse effects to watch out for is the increased risk of suicidal ideation, so the treating physician should closely monitor any depressive symptoms or suicidal ideation. Other adverse effects that the patient may experience include xerostomia (dry mouth), headache, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, insomnia, cough, somnolence, and vomiting. However, more research is needed and Strattera should not be handed out like candy, but it seems a safer ADHD alternative to its stimulant cousins.
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Medical disclaimer:
Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.
Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.
