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Strattera Side Effects
Insomnia, abdominal pain, and dry mouth are some of the most commonly reported side effects of Strattera. Problems that are less common but much more serious include shortness of breath, hallucinations, fainting, and priapism. If you experience these or any other potentially serious side effects, be sure to tell your healthcare provider.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Strattera® (atomoxetine hydrochloride). However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If people do develop side effects, in most cases, they are minor, meaning they require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Strattera. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of Strattera side effects with you.)
Strattera has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, with many people having been evaluated. In these studies, side effects that occur in the group of people taking the drug are always documented and compared to the side effects that occur in a similar group of people not taking the medicine. This way, it is possible to see what side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
Based on these studies, some of the most common Strattera side effects include:
- Nausea -- in up to 21 percent of people
- Dry mouth -- up to 21 percent
- Headaches -- up to 19 percent
- Abdominal pain (stomach pain) -- up to 18 percent
- Decreased appetite -- up to 16 percent
- Insomnia -- up to 15 percent
- Vomiting -- up to 11 percent
- Drowsiness -- up to 11 percent.
Some other common side effects (occurring in 2 to 9 percent of people) include:
- Fatigue
- Constipation
- Impotence, also know as erectile dysfunction or ED (see Strattera Sexual Side Effects)
- Hot flashes
- Difficulty passing urine
- Irritability
- Dizziness
- Mood swings
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Chills
- Jitteriness
- Sinus headache
- Shakiness (tremor)
- Decreased sex drive
- Sleeping problems
- Painful urination
- Ejaculation problems
- Menstrual irregularity
- Increased sweating
- Weight loss (see Strattera and Weight Loss).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD