[bostonbeagle]

Has anyone know good and bad issues about Stratera? Side effect and so forth?
Regards,
Boston

[doughton]

Hey there. My son has been on Concerta for about two years.I always worry about the long term effects of it. I do know that Straterra is a non-narcotic, where all the other meds for ADHD are narcotics and addictive. And is a fairly new drug, not too new , but newer than most. Jennie aka Doughton

[Deana]

My former foster daughter was put on strattera and things were not good. When she was put on strattera her behaviors got worse. She became more aggressive. Had bigger, longer rages. She had always pulled her hair and hit herself but this increased also to the point of drawing blood on herself. She was just out of control. The psychologist at my foster sons school said to watch out for strattera because every child she had seen put on it had a major backslide from it. I know it works for some people but just thought I would let you know my experience.

[doughton]

My son was on Adderall 15mg, did him good for a while. But then had to go up to 20mg. The 20 mg was too much for his body and made him worse, like he was on nothing at all. So had to change to Concerta, and has been on it ever since. The concerta has worked wonders for him! Did wonderful his first grade year where as kindergarten was a different story. Has learned more in first grade then inkindergarten and four year old program put together! Is excelling in math and can read at fourth grade level! I tell him everyday how proud I am of him. Every child reacts differently to each drug, and usually have to learn this from trial and error. Not always easy on parent and child though! It has been a long and hard road for both of us, even though he is only seven. But finally with meds and a stressfree life, I can say that he is leveled out. And is doing great now! Jennie

[MMC66]

We're toying with the idea of putting my 9 year old on medication for her ADHD. I have NO first hand experience but the pediatrician said she didn't like to use it because she saw more problems with kids being sleepy. I do also know the docs like it better because it's not a "controlled substnance" so there's less abuse potential less paperwork etc. Hope this helps and Good Luck.

Martha

[rindava]

on straterra didn't stay on if long and many went manic....very much so in at least one of the kids was not severe before being on the med, and stop the extreme behavior after coming down...it has only been on the market since 2003.....

I'll have to say my son did best on extended release adderal, but not on any meds now......extended release of any med seems better then having to take it several times during the day...and like other posters have said meds impact each person differently...

I have heard doctors say strattera is better because they only have to see the kids twice a year instead of every 3 months....and they have to write scrips out for each month when the kid is on Adderall or Ritalin

[Dianna]

Hi, My daughter was on Adderall and them went to Concerta just in the mornings. It has worked well. We started her on Straterra a couple of years ago. It made her sleepy so she took it at night. It worked well for her. She had to go back on a little Concerta as she had become more hostile. Then I heard from our psychiatrist that there had been 2 cases in a million of liver failure on the Straterra so we took her off of it and put her on her original dose of Concerta.

It is so hard to have to use meds. Our daughter will likely always have to take something due to her bipolar but she is currently doing 2 years of biofeedback to train her brain to lower her arousal level. I try and be as cautious as possible. It is a big responsibility to be responsible for another's welfare and drugs can be risky. Check on the liver failure history.

[Original Mike]

When C first came to me four years ago (man, where did the time go?!), he was on Adderal. As C got older and the dose had to be increased, I didn't like the side effects of the Adderal. Our psychiatrist switched him to Strattera.

I really like the difference from Adderal. I don't see the mood swings and the tired feelings. C says he feels better and more "with it" than when he was on Adderral.

In short, I'd give it a thumbs-up.

[dadfor2]

heres the problems with meds...you have to try a few to see which ones will actually meet your childs chemistry..

thats why there are quite a few different medications for treating the same thing.....every person is different.

so, my suggestion is try the sraterra first and then go from there...

good luck....finding the best medication for our children can be so tough and frustrating...but hang in there...