When the ADHD medication Strattera was launched in 2003, it was marketed as a safer alternative to stimulant drugs Ritalin and Adderall. After all, Strattera is the world’s first non-stimulant medication for ADHD. Instead of containing amphetamines, Strattera is chemically similar to a class of drugs known as tricyclic antidepressants, which is commonly used for treating bipolar illness. This means that Strattera won’t pose the same substance abuse risk that the first generation of ADHD medications does. But just because it cannot be used recreationally, it doesn’t mean that this drug is completely free of dangerous side effects.

The following Strattera side effects and risks have been reported by studies and patient anecdotes. Do take a moment to read these risks if your child is taking Strattera or if you are thinking of giving this drug to help your child with ADHD.

Mood swings

Extreme wood swings are among the immediate side effects of this drug. Strattera’s manufacturer suggests that the drug may have only triggered an underlying mood disorder instead of causing it. However, 11% of children who experienced mood destabilization after taking Strattera do not have a health history or family history of mood disorders. Read the rest of this entry »