Parents of Children with ADHD Support Group

This community is designed as an open forum where the parents and guardians of children with ADHD (Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) can give and receive support, as well as discuss ideas, techniques, concerns, surprises, and challenges they may face with their children.

1,014 Members

2,048 Posts

0 Online

Kahlua13 10/27/2009

Does anyone know of any side affects of Straterra, or has anyone experienced any? My son was on Adderall since he was 5. He is almost 13 now. The psychiatrist kept upping the dose of Adderall and it got so bad that he was not sleeping, cranky, and was doing worse. We took him off the Adderall and put him on Straterra. Helped in school, but he became depressed. He is now on 5 mg of Abilify for depression. I don't know if the two situations are related or a coincidence and if we should put him back on the Straterra or not. He is just really, really having a very difficult time sitting still.

Please note that we adopted him and that there is depression with both bio parents, and this is obviously a huge concern of mine. The Straterra was great- no problem eating, sleeping and things were immediately noticeably better in school. But this depression worries me and I thought that this was one of the possible side affects.

Waiting to see what the psychiatrist says. Adderall XR was an absolute nightmare for us.

Thanks!

rsnation 10/28/2009

I don't have experience with Straterra (probably about the only one we don't have experience with!) but I did see depression in my son with Ritalin. Right around the same age so I had the same questions you have as we have a strong history of depression. I chose to take him off Ritalin before putting him on antidepressants, just to check. It was unfortunatelas it had been very effective in other areas, but the depression went away.

I'm not saying this is the case for your son but definitely talk to his psychiatrist about it.

deleted_user 10/29/2009

Straterra was the first one I tried for my son back when he was 6 or seven. Now my boy has the impusity times 20 (my opinion) and the Straterra turned him into a zombie. Yeah it was relaxing for the first couple days LOL but that wasn't my boy. We have done Concerta, it worked for a while but with that they become immune and have to up the doseage, when we did that he wouldn't eat, he had trouble sleeping, it was just horrible. He been taking adderal for the last 6 months there has not been any side effect but also no improvment.

deleted_user 10/29/2009

My daughter started Strattera this summer along with her Concerta which she has been on for 5 years. Since starting the Strattera she has made several references to suicide. She is only 8 years old. Be careful with Strattera because increase in suicidal tendencies is a black box warning on this drug. My daughter never talked of these things before this medication.

deleted_user 10/29/2009

Have you tried no medication my son is now 14 and most of his symptoms are gone and the ones that aren't he manages ok

Kahlua13 11/02/2009

Wow, RAZIA1. That is what happened with us! My son was on Straterra for about 1 1/2 weeks. School was great, but then he got so depressed he refused to get out of bed. Then started talking about suicide A LOT and actually was "trying" it. Wasn't sure if he was acting or not but could not take the chance. He will be 13 in a month. Dr said to take him off Straterra. (Now he insists it cannot possibly be the Straterra, but took him off just to be safe.) Dr. put him on 5 mg of Abilify and also put him on Florican? I think that is what it is called. (My husband picked it up.) Ever since, my son has been doing great! Gets up, eating well, sleeping well, got homework done with little or no problems, brought home an A- and a B this week in school and got 5 straight days of positive and encouraging remarks from ALL 7 teachers! His attitude has been very positive.

I have to say, the 1 1/2 weeks on the Straterra, culminating in that one really scary and horrible night where he threatened to kill himself, was the scariest week of my life. I have to think that the Straterra had something to do with it since it all stopped once he stopped taking it.

Lost2907: we took my son off Adderall and Clonidine for about a month this summer (maybe more.) He did GREAT! But over the summer was not the problem. Once he started school, it was only a matter of days before we realized he needed some kind of medication. He could not sit still for 2 seconds, drove EVERY teacher and every other kid in all 7 of his classes crazy. He was constantly in trouble and could not get any work done at school or at home. It was just plain bad. I pray and wish that hopefully he grows out of this. I can't even tell you how much you give me hope that someday my son may be able to get off these meds and be able to function somewhat normally. Thanks!

deleted_user 11/05/2009

Thanks Kahlua13 I thought the Strattera was doing this. I'm so glad I found someone else who had a similar story. I am a nurse and thought I was a failure as a parent to not recognize that the med change was causing major mood changes at school and home. She is almost to the point she is paranoid that people are all against her. It breaks my heart everyday to see her at such a young age trying to deal with such a huge problem with emotions. I am doing everything I can to be her advocate especially when it comes to school. Hopefully with the medicine changes she can have some peace in her life. She is like a rubber band right now stretched to the limit. Thanks for your input. It's nice to hear others that are in similar situations than to try to talk to people that do not have any clue.

Join the Conversation