r/Atomoxetine

Hi. I recently got diagnosed and was given an Atomoxetine prescription. I'm debating whether to take my first dose while home alone, or if I should wait for my partner to have a day off at the end of the week and take it under his supervision in case I get some type of bad side effects. On one hand I'm really excited to try it out, on the other I might be overthinking it. Thoughts? I'm starting at 10 mg, and I'm supposed to slowly increase it over the next month up to 40 mg.

My adhd prescriber told me I can empty these capsules into apple sauce or yoghurt but google says mixed things and it’s an eye irritant and mucus membrane. The reality is I just can’t swallow them. It’s not worth the stress and them getting constantly stuck and the discomfort. Always had issues with capsules my whole life. I’m in UK. Right to choose. Can I request liquid or something else? Can’t take stimulants. Really upset and anxious lately just want to get better. Thanks !

Currently taking 60mg and definitely noticed increased sweating particularly with activity. When I took 40mg I was taking a different medication that also made me sweat so I'm uncertain if going down would make a difference looking for some advice and personal experiences as to dosing and timing.
Thanks!

They say that I should go to an emergency psychiatric hospital just to get my adhd meds and which i won’t even get a definitive answer if they will describe my meds.

The specialist doctor who gave me my prescription iquit as well.

I have fucking terrible muscle aches that do not go away when I lay down and try to relax and it hurts to walk. And it hurts to cry as well. I’m supposed to start my dream school and I feel like crap and I am too physically exhausted to do anything and it makes me sad and depressed I am also alone in a new city.

I am angry because nobody will describe my meds until I get my physical exam which I am on a very very very long wait list…

I will call emergency psychiatric hospital to get my adhds meds 🙄🙄🙄 I am annoyed because i don’t like going to hospitals and I have muscle aches.

Meanwhile how do I cope whit having whitdrawals?
I’ve had it nonstop for two weeks now.

So I started on Straterra 25mg exactly one week ago today and literally felt the effects within 20 minutes of taking my first dose! I felt instant clarity and alertness. Like coffee actually works the way it's supposed to now. I am mind blown.

I'm on 25mg and was supposed to up my dose to 50mg after the first week but my doctor and I decided not to mess with a good thing and stick with 25mg for now.

The effects have been amazing for me (zero side effects so far aside from decreased appetite). In fact, Im realizing that my anxiety and sense of urgency was my driving force so it took me a few days to adapt to the new sense of calm and actually motivate myself to do anything with it 🤣 but I seem to be on a roll now!

My question is, has anyone experienced these immediate effects and did the initial buzz eventually even out and disappear? I'm feeling so great and am nervous about losing this streak.

Thanks!

Is it worth continuing or is this a sign my body just isn't tolerating it? I don't seem to be able to handle the vast majority of meds due to hypersensitivity/super-slow metaboliser. First few weeks were -ok- but was taking a nap every day, which I didn't mind, but in these last few days it's been accompanied by crippling lack of motivation/drive and a depressed mood. I have 18mg I'm due to increase to in 1.5 weeks but tempted to take them sooner to see if it helps. Just wondering if anyone dealt with anything similar? Did it get better for you or did you have to give up on it?

Did anyone get eye irritation from this med?

Two-three days after starting this medication my eyes started to get kinda red and irritated. Definitely dry eyes but it was more than that. Nothing that insinuated an allergic reaction, but still noticeable.

It went away when I stopped the medication.

I’ve tried this med for a few days, two times, and each time this happens. Similar thing happened with Wellbutrin for me.

I was on vyvanse for years prior, and didn’t have this issue.

Just wondering if this is at all common, etc.

Hey everyone, how's it going?

I've been on Strattera for 4 months now. I made it up to an 80mg dose, but the side effects were too much for me, and I haven't really felt much extra benefit past 40mg—which was actually where I felt the most improvement...
My question is, has anyone here stabilized on 40mg? I'm going back down to that dose, but I'm worried it might be too weak or become ineffective over time.

Im 28M

Thanks in advance for any insights or shared experiences

Hello
I’m on atomoxetine.
My only uncomfortable side effects have been sleep issues (it’s getting better now) and excessive sweating. I think today is the hottest day of the year so far where I am so that will be fun!

I’ve been taking it for 8 weeks in total. Titration was fast. I’m now on 80mg. I was given 100mg for 1 week but because I didn’t notice any specific improvement after a week they moved me back down to 80. Anyway, that’s where we are. I’m on 80mg.

I have noticed massive improvement in my anxiety - I used to overthink, worry constantly (I’d find something to worry about even when there wasn’t anything!). My brain feels less busy, less cluttered- like there’s actually space in my head - it’s hard to describe. I would be awake through the night panicking, inventing worst case scenarios etc. I’ve had a few issues with sleep on this medication but it isn’t stress or worry keeping me awake anymore.

I think I’m less impulsive. It was tricky to notice that but then I realised I don’t reach for a glass of wine after work anymore. In fact, I have only had alcohol 4 times in as many months and never to excess. But I’ve always been quite good at breaking habits so I’m not sure if that’s related to adhd impulsivity. Like years ago when I gave up smoking, I literally just decided I was going to stop and did with no issues.

It hasn’t helped at all with getting tasks done. Well, certainly not initiating things and I’m still a bit last minute with stuff. Eg workmen coming today, house is a mess. Instead of being prepared in advance I spent an hour before work trying to make the house look half presentable. And I still have loads of half finished craft projects I am not motivated to finish. But sadly I haven’t wanted to start any either. I used to be quite enthusiastic about starting something new even tho I rarely finished it but now I just can’t really be bothered.

My slight concern is that now I’m on my final dosage (I’ve finished titration and been discharged back to gp) that I’m going to get bored. It’s kept me a bit busy…changing doses, monitoring bp, waiting for improvements etc etc.

It’s only been 8 weeks - should I expect further improvements or do people think this is it now? I’m not complaining - my mental health is tons better but I just expected maybe something more and I’m worried I will just get used to 80mg and then the positive effects will start to wear off.

Hi, I’m after some advice and wondered if anyone can help me.

I’m 40 in February and have recently started taking Atomoxetine 40mg. I have just taken my dose at 5am alongside a cereal bar.

I am unable to take the stimulants and I have really bad panic attacks and insomnia already. I also take 30mg Duloxetine and Propanolol for when I’m having a panic

I have noticed in my first week very noticeable anxiousness but the main thing is my stomach. Especially in the last 2 days everything I eat instantly gives me stomach cramps and I have to go to the toilet. It then cramps a little after and finally subsides. It’s kind of ruining my social life.

One thing that’s bothering me is I’m 3 weeks late on my period. So I was late even before the new medication started. Pregnancy is completely ruled out. I’m usually quite regular so this is alarming as I’m not sure if it’s period related or the medication or just anxiety. I start a new job soon.

Any advice would be welcome ❤️

hi! i posted this on day 1 on atomoxetine and i want to write a little update.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Atomoxetine/s/q5damC0CeH

i’m on day 3 and don’t want to be alive. i don’t plan on doing anything, i just don’t want to be anywhere. i don’t want to see anyone or talk to anyone or open any app and i feel like crying all the time. i don’t know if im just having a low day or if im experiencing a side effect of the medication. i feel a little tired and just want to keep sleeping so the day will go by faster. my depression mainly comes from my inability to feel motivated to do or focus on anything because of my adhd. atomoxetine seems to be making me want to do things even less, which is making me
feel much worse. does this go away? does it change at some point?

when i get this sad and anxious i smoke weed, but my psychiatrist said i should quit while on this drug. i want to follow her professional advice but i think weed is the only thing that will get me to stop crying right now. would it be really bad if i did hit my pen?

i was really excited to start a medication that might help me finally, and i know it takes a few weeks to fully kick in, but i dont think i can do 4 week of this.

I've started taking strattera each morning, but each night I have stomach aches and bouts of nausea in the evenings. I've only been on it for 4 days and it's helping me focus but I feel cursed each night.

i (23f) took my first dose of atomoxetine about three hours ago. i was diagnosed with adhd last month and this is my first adhd medication ever. i’m on 40mg currently. i took it, sat down and scrolled on my phone for a while, and slowly i felt myself start feeling like trash. i had to just lay down with my eyes closed and brace myself for the ride. everything is spinning, im dizzy, nauseated, etc. i feel jittery but my bpm is at 78 and my hands aren’t shaking more than normal. my stomach feels awful and i want to throw up so bad but im very bad at inducing it or letting it happen naturally (i’ve been like this forever, its like my body doesn’t want to let me). i had it with no food because i didn’t have food at home and didnt feel like getting any. i’m hungry i think? but the thought of food is nauseating right now. it’s really hot in my apartment and i have a couple fans turned on and im hot but cold and have chills at the same time. i can feel my head pounding but dont have a headache (strange for me because i get migraines regularly). i’m so tired and can barely even look at my phone. i just stood up to get some water and almost passed out. i managed to walk to the kitchen and stumbled all the way through. i feel like im in a drunk montage in a hangover movie without the fun parts. i took adderall once last year (got it from a friend with adhd to see how it affected me) and i felt human for the first time in my life, no side effects that i can recall, but i assume i was prescribed a non-stimulant because i have pretty bad anxiety. is all of this normal?

I was on generic Strattera (atomoxetine) for around 45 days, and the anxiety I got from it was honestly horrible. I started getting really intense anxiety and panic, probably the worst I’ve ever experienced, and eventually I had to stop taking it.
Has anyone else had this happen with Strattera? Especially after being on it for a while? Did it eventually get better for you or did you have to stop too?

Edit: I just found out that I might be a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer, which can increase atomoxetine levels by up to 5x.

Had it with breakfast 2 egg and 1 glass milk , the med kicked in 30-40 much it was little anxious for an hour from the time it kicked in than it was smooth and I was comfortable after that 1 hours and also was getting dry mouth for some hours esp that 1 hour it is normal and will go away after some time.

I’m about two weeks into taking Atomoxetine, and over the last week or so I’ve noticed a really significant change in my mood and how I see myself. Before starting it, I was genuinely doing so much better. I felt like I was finally making progress, rebuilding my life and becoming myself again.

Now I feel like I’m carrying this horrible, heavy cloud around with me. I feel depressed, anxious, ashamed, guilty and constantly on edge. I’m second-guessing everything I say and do, and especially how I look. I’ve started feeling incredibly ugly and inadequate, like everyone else is prettier, funnier, happier, more lovable and generally just better than me.

I know logically that these thoughts aren't necessarily true, but they feel incredibly real right now. I’ve also been having horrible thoughts and nightmares, and my brain has started telling me that I’m a horrible person and that things that happened to me in the past were somehow my fault. I feel like a shell of the person I was two weeks ago.

I’m also finding myself feeling incredibly groggy and emotionally fragile, and I’ve cried more recently than I have in a long time.

I know medication affects everyone differently, and I’m not assuming Atomoxetine is definitely responsible for all of this, but the timing is difficult to ignore. I was doing considerably better before starting it, and this change has been so noticeable. Has anyone else experienced a significant increase in depression, anxiety, intrusive/horrible thoughts, emotional instability or feeling like a completely different person around 2 weeks into Atomoxetine?

Did it settle with time, or did you end up needing to change the dose/medication? I’m speaking to my prescriber about it, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has experienced something similar. I’m particularly interested in what happened after the first few weeks.

Had to stop taking because it was causing alopecia type symptoms. The good effects were really good with some other less ideal symptoms. I stopped taking the medication and slowly lost the ability to speak coherently. I swear I’ve always been well spoken w decent vocab but have noticed I’m starting to fumble on my words way more than usual. Has this happened to anyone else?? Is my brain deteriorating 😂