Posted by Viridis on July 23, 2003, at 4:16:31
In reply to Finessing Strattera dosage, posted by TJO on July 22, 2003, at 17:25:10
There's no way with these meds that you'll be able to nail down the "correct" dose just based on body weight etc. There's tremendous individual variation. Some people here do well with 18 mg Strattera, others need over 100. Right now I'm responding well to 60 mg, and I'm male, 175 lbs, 5'11" tall. I may go up with the dosage (I use it for ADD and depression), but really, it's trial and error. And, your reaction may depend in part on what other meds you're taking (if any).
The suggested dose for an adult with ADD is about 80 mg/day, but this is based on average responses, and lots of people aren't "average".
If you can, I'd get some samples from your doctor (free samples seem to be readily available), start with a low dose, and gradually move up until you find your "comfort zone". Strattera may work for you, but there's no guarantee -- you just have to try it and see. My approach with psychiatric meds is to start low, just in case I react negatively. I usually don't, but certain meds have been very bad news for me (SSRIs, Wellbutrin), and "standard" doses of these really caused me problems.
I find Strattera quite effective, but did have some initial side effects that I minimized by increasing the dose carefully.
Good luck!
poster:Viridis
thread:244324
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030723/msgs/244430.html