Key takeaways

  • Strattera carries a boxed warning due to the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents who take it for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment.
  • Strattera commonly causes nausea, appetite loss, and dizziness. It can also cause serious but less common side effects such as hallucinations and heart problems. Seek immediate medical attention if these occur.
  • Most side effects go away over time, but Strattera can cause long-term effects like liver damage and sexual problems. It’s important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with your healthcare professional before starting treatment.

Strattera is used in adults and some children to treat ADHD. Keep reading to learn about the common, mild, and serious side effects Strattera can cause.

Strattera has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For details, see the “Tips for managing side effects” section.

If you have thoughts of suicide, call 911 or your local emergency number. In the United States, you can also call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741.

Strattera can cause specific side effects, some more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. Talk with your doctor if side effects do not go away, get worse, or become too difficult to tolerate.

Strattera’s commonly reported side effects in adults include:

More common side effects in children and adolescents taking Strattera include:

Mild side effects have been reported with Strattera. These include:

In most cases, these side effects are temporary, and some may be easily managed. But if you have ongoing symptoms that bother you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. And do not stop taking Strattera unless your doctor recommends it.

Strattera may cause mild side effects other than those listed. See the drug’s prescribing information for details.

Strattera may cause serious side effects. The following list may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Strattera’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Strattera, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported include:

For more information about some of these side effects, see the “Tips for managing side effects” and the “Boxed warnings for Strattera” sections.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Sharing your experience helps make medication safer for everyone by giving doctors and researchers more information about how the drug works in real life. If you develop a side effect during treatment with Strattera and want to tell the FDA, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Strattera can cause an allergic reaction. In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should continue Strattera treatment.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Strattera, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Strattera has a boxed warning about the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.

In short-term studies, children and adolescents taking Strattera had a higher risk of suicidal thoughts compared with those who took a placebo (pill with no active drug).

If you develop serious side effects while taking Strattera, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

  • Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
  • Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
  • Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

There may be steps you can take to help make specific Strattera side effects more manageable. If you experience persistent, worsening, or troublesome side effects, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can provide advice on handling them or suggest alternative treatment options for your condition.

Side effects in children

Strattera is approved to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children ages 6 years and older. Side effects are expected to be similar to those reported in adults.

However, Strattera does have a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents. You can also talk with your child’s doctor regarding concerns or questions about this side effect.

In short-term studies (up to 18 weeks), children and adolescents taking Strattera had a higher risk of suicidal thoughts than those who took a placebo (pill with no active drug). However, this side effect was extremely rare in these studies, and there were no reported suicides.

All reports of suicidal thoughts happened in children ages 12 years and younger. (The drug is approved for use in children ages 6 years and older). It’s not known whether this risk continues with long-term Strattera treatment.

Studies did not report an increased risk of suicidal thoughts among adults treated with Strattera.

Symptoms of suicidal thoughts include:

What might help

During treatment with Strattera, closely monitor your child’s moods and behaviors. If they show signs of suicidal thoughts, immediately contact their doctor.

You should seek immediate treatment at an emergency room or urgent care center if you or your child experiences symptoms that seem life threatening. If you live in the United States, you can also call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

If your child experiences suicidal thoughts during treatment with Strattera, their doctor will likely have them stop taking the drug.

Sexual side effects

While not common, sexual side effects were reported in Strattera’s studies. These include:

What might help

Depending on your sexual side effects and symptoms, your doctor may recommend a treatment. For example, they may prescribe a medication for ED if it’s safe for you to take.

Sexual side effects usually go away when you stop Strattera treatment. But do not stop taking this medication without talking with your doctor first. If they recommend you stop Strattera, they’ll suggest other options for treating your ADHD.

Heart-related side effects

Although rare, heart-related side effects were reported in Strattera’s studies. These include:

Sudden death is also possible in people with existing heart problems.

Symptoms of heart-related side effects can vary depending on the side effect. For example:

  • Increased heart rate may cause your chest to flutter or feel as if your heart is skipping beats.
  • Heart attack symptoms include excessive sweating and severe chest pain that may radiate to your neck, back, arm, or shoulder.
  • Stroke symptoms include numbness on one side of your body and difficulty speaking.
  • Increases in blood pressure don’t cause symptoms except in rare cases of a hypertensive emergency.

Your risk of heart-related side effects from Strattera is higher if you or a family member have ever had a heart problem (such as a past heart attack).

What might help

Before you start taking Strattera, your doctor should check your heart health and determine whether the drug is safe for you. If you have an existing heart problem, such as an irregular heart rhythm, your doctor may prescribe a different treatment for your condition.

Allergic reaction

Like most drugs, Strattera can cause an allergic reaction in some people. This side effect wasn’t reported in studies, but has happened since the drug came on the market.

Symptoms can be mild to serious and can include:

  • skin rash
  • itchiness
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • swelling under your skin (usually in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet)
  • swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What might help

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms. Examples include:

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a mild allergic reaction to Strattera, they’ll decide whether you should continue taking it.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Strattera, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Are there foods to avoid while taking Strattera?

There are no reports of Strattera interacting with food. So there are no specific foods you need to avoid while taking Strattera.

But like many medications, Strattera can interact with some other drugs.

Are side effects of Strattera similar to those seen with Adderall?

Yes and no. Some side effects caused by Strattera and Adderall are the same, but these drugs can also cause different side effects.

Some side effects shared by Strattera and Adderall include appetite loss, insomnia, and increased blood pressure. But fatigue is more common with Strattera, while people taking Adderall are more likely to report urinary tract infections (UTIs).

For more about how these drugs compare, including how Adderall and Strattera might make you feel, talk with your doctor.

Does Strattera cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible. While most side effects caused by Strattera are mild and go away on their own, long-term side effects can happen in rare cases.

Examples of possible long-term side effects, according to Strattera’s studies, include:

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about Strattera’s possible long-term side effects.

How long do side effects of Strattera typically last?

It depends. In most cases, side effects caused by Strattera go away on their own within a few hours to days. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that last longer than this. They can review your symptoms and determine the best treatment, which may include stopping Strattera.

Keeping track of side effects

During your Strattera treatment, consider taking notes on any side effects you’re having. You can then share this information with your doctor. This is especially helpful when you first start taking a new drug or using a combination of treatments.

Your side effect notes can include things such as:

  • what dose of the drug you were taking when you had the side effect
  • how soon you had the side effect after starting that dose
  • what your symptoms were
  • how your symptoms affected your daily activities
  • what other medications you were taking
  • any other information you feel is important

Taking notes and sharing them with your doctor will help them learn more about how Strattera affects you. They can then use this information to adjust your treatment plan if needed.

Consider the following important information before taking Strattera.

Strattera has a boxed warning. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA. For details, see “Boxed warnings for Strattera.”

Other precautions

Before taking Strattera, discuss your health history with your doctor. Strattera may not be right for you if you have specific medical conditions or other factors affecting your health. Be sure to talk with your doctor if any of the following apply to you:

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.