Strattera for ADHD Child

Strattera ADHD medication is not used for major depressive disorders but it has been approved as an ADHD medication for both, children and adults. In this article an introductory general knowledge about the medication is given, but it is essential that you discuss the side effects and drug interactions with your doctor before giving providing it to your child.

Strattera medication(Atomoxetine HCl) is a selective Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Each capsule contains Atomoxetine HCl equivalent to 10, 18, 25, 40, 60, 80, or 100 mg of Atomoxetine.

Strattera should be initiated at a total daily dose of approximately 0.5 mg/kg and increased after a minimum of 3 days to a target total daily dose of approximately 1.2 mg/kg administered either as a single daily dose in the morning or as evenly divided doses in the morning and late afternoon/early evening.

No additional benefit has been demonstrated for doses higher than 1.2 mg/kg/day. The total daily dose in children and adolescents should not exceed 1.4 mg/kg or 100 mg, whichever is less.

The normal dosage ranges in capsules are:

STRATTERA Capsules	10 mg	18 mg	25 mg	40 mg	60 mg	80 mg	100 mg
Color	Opaque White, Opaque White	Gold, Opaque White	Opaque Blue, Opaque White	Opaque Blue, Opaque Blue	Opaque Blue, Gold	Opaque Brown, Opaque White	Opaque Brown, Opaque Brown

The dosage and timings should be prescribed by the doctor only. This information is provide only for a general understanding of the drug. Like all other drugs, Strattera ADHD medication comes with a long list of side effects that cast doubt on the wisdom of using ADHD medication.

These side effects include abdominal pains, vomiting, constipation, weight loss, loss of appetite, headaches, increased sleep (somnolence), vertigo, dizziness, disturbed balance, dry mouth, fatigue, irritability, mood disorders (for this reason not given in children with bipolar disorder along with ADHD) and dermatitis.

Treatment developing psychotic or manic symptoms, e.g., hallucinations, delusional thinking, or mania in children and adolescents without a prior history of psychotic illness or mania can be caused by Atomoxetine at usual doses.

If any of these symptoms occur, visit your doctor as soon as possible and discontinue the medicines for the ADHD child.

Though suicides in children are less common but they do exist and facts remain the facts. All ADHD children being treated with STRATTERA should be monitored closely for suicidal tendancies, clinical depression, and unusual changes in behavior, especially during the initial few months of a course of drug therapy, or at times of dose changes.

Parents of such children are strongly advised to keep an eye on their ADHD child and his activities to monitor the response the child is having to Strattera ADHD medication.

Herbal supplements have been shown to help improve behavior and performance in the classroom without any of these dangerous side effects. They work by helping relax the hyperactive child while improving brain activity. Get More Information on natural products that have been shown to help with the symptoms of ADHD

There is more than child ADHD strattera on the Raising ADHD Child page.