Posted by Viridis on December 20, 2003, at 3:07:15
In reply to Questions about Strattera, posted by Siraris on December 19, 2003, at 14:09:39
I really liked Strattera for a while, and would definitely recommend a fairly slow "burn in" period. I increased in increments of about 20-25 mg every couple of weeks, up to 80 mg/day. Each dosage increase caused mild nausea and flulike feelings (nothing too bad), and each time these went away after a few days. The main side effect that took a long time to disappear was dry mouth, but that eventually stopped. I also found that Strattera could cause heartburn if taken with coffee or on an empty stomach.
My pdoc agrees that titration is important; usually he starts patients at 25 mg and moves up in two or three increments to about 80 mg, over a few weeks.
Unfortunately for me, the mood and concentration benefits just kind of disappeared after about six months, and it made me feel disoriented if I was tired (rather strange -- it didn't make me tired, but seemed to greatly exaggerate the effects of lack of sleep if I'd been up late working on a project etc.). That, combined with the fact that it stopped working for me, caused me to discontinue it.
I had no problems with withdrawal and would consider trying it again -- it was quite helpful at first, and the side effects were fairly minimal (with a gradual increase in dosage).
poster:Viridis
thread:291651
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031219/msgs/291832.html