Strattera Versus Other ADHD Medications
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a medication for
ADHD that is not a stimulant (and is not a controlled substance). The medication,
Strattera® (
atomoxetine hydrochloride), works on the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, whereas stimulants primarily work on the neurotransmitter dopamine. Both of these neurotransmitters are believed to play a role in ADHD. More studies are needed to compare Strattera to the medications already available, but the evidence to date indicates that more than 70 percent of children with ADHD who are given Strattera show significant improvement in their ADHD symptoms.
Strattera is approved for children ages six and older, teenagers, and adults. In addition to Strattera, there is currently only one other medication licensed to treat
adult ADHD:
Focalin XR, although other medications are used "
off-label" for this use.
Some people get better results from one ADHD medicine, some from another. It is important to work with your healthcare provider to find the right medication and the correct dosage. For many people, stimulants dramatically reduce their hyperactivity and impulsivity, and improve their ability to focus, work, and learn. Drugs for ADHD may also improve physical coordination, such as that needed in handwriting and in sports.
Stimulants come in short-acting and long-acting forms. The newer sustained-release stimulants can be taken before school and are long-lasting, so your child does not need to take medication at school. Discuss your child's needs with your healthcare provider to determine which form to use and whether your child needs to take the medicine during school hours only or during the evening and weekends, too.
If, after taking a medication for a week, there is no improvement in symptoms, your healthcare provider may adjust the dosage. If there is still no improvement, your child may be switched to another ADHD medication. About one out of ten children is not helped by a stimulant medication. Other types of medications may be used in this case, or if ADHD occurs with another disorder.
Antidepressants and other medications can help control accompanying
depression or
anxiety.
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