For most people, taking a new medication may mean switching up your lifestyle a bit and that includes the foods you eat. A food-drug interaction means that a specific nutrient or compound within the food changes the way your body metabolizes the medication, and this can either enhance or reduce the dose your body gets, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. The potential results: an increased risk of side effects, many of which can be dangerous, or the drug not working as it was intended.
Before introducing a medication, ask your pharmacist about any food interactions, including with alcohol, and any adjustments you may have to make to your diet. In this article, we will discuss taking Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride) and the foods to avoid while taking it.
What is Strattera? What Does Strattera Do?
Strattera (generic name: atomoxetine hydrochloride) is an alternative to the stimulant ADHD medications most commonly used to treat symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD) in children ages 6-12, adolescents, and adults. It is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medicine. Strattera is a non-stimulant; it is not considered a controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). It has not been studied in children under the age of 6.
Strattera was the first and only non-stimulant medication approved for ADHD treatment in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It was also the first non-stimulant medication to be approved for treating adults with ADHD.
Before taking this medicine
Do not use Strattera if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to atomoxetine, or if you have:
- severe heart or blood vessel problems;
- narrow-angle glaucoma; or
- pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).
Strattera has caused stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in certain people. Tell your doctor if you have:
- heart problems or a congenital heart defect;
- high blood pressure; or
- a family history of heart disease or sudden death.
To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you or anyone in your family has ever had:
- depression, mental illness, bipolar disorder, psychosis;
- suicidal thoughts or actions;
- low blood pressure; or
- liver disease.
Some young people have thoughts about suicide when first taking Strattera, or whenever the dose is changed. Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits. Your family or other caregivers should also be alert to changes in your mood or symptoms.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before taking Strattera.
If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of atomoxetine on the baby.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using Strattera. Ask your doctor about any risks,
Strattera is not FDA-approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old.
What is the Typical Dosage for Strattera?
The optimal dosage of Strattera varies by patient. Capsules are available in 10mg, 18mg, 25mg, 40mg, 80mg, and 100mg dosages. The time-release formulation is designed to maintain a steady level of medication in your body throughout the day. Your doctor may adjust your daily dosage after 3 days until you or your child experiences the best response — that is, the lowest dosage at which you experience the greatest improvement in symptoms without side effects.
Dosing for children and adolescents less than 70 kg:
For children, Strattera should be initiated at a total daily dose of approximately 0.5 mg/kg and gradually increased after a minimum of 3 days to a target total daily dose of approximately 1.2 mg/kg. No additional benefit has been demonstrated for doses higher than 1.2 mg/kg/day.
Dosing for adults and adolescents greater than 70 kg:
Strattera should be initiated at a total daily dose of 40 mg and increased after a minimum of 3 days to a target total daily dose of approximately 80-90 mg per day in divided doses.
The maximum dosage that was studied and, therefore, recommended is 100mg/day.
As with all medications, follow your Strattera prescription instructions exactly. Strattera is taken orally, with or without food, once or twice daily.
The most common reason why patients don’t experience optimal benefits from Strattera is a high level of side effects, which prevents them from taking a dose high enough to be therapeutic. As a result, it is vitally important that the severity of side effects be lowered by dividing the dose through the day. Although Strattera was studied and approved by the FDA at a frequency of one dose per day, the short duration of the atomoxetine molecule in the body means that people will experience greater effectiveness with fewer and less severe side effects if the dose is divided and taken at least twice a day and sometimes three times a day. The first dose is typically taken first thing in the morning. If a second dose is prescribed, it is typically taken in the late afternoon or early evening. It should be taken at the same time each day for the best results.
Capsules should be swallowed whole with water or other liquids. Capsules should never be opened, crushed, or chewed. If your child is unable to swallow the capsule, discuss a different medication with your doctor.
Before starting or refilling a Strattera prescription, read the medication guide included with your pills, as it may be updated with new information.
During treatment, your doctor should check vital statistics including blood, heart, and blood pressure; or evaluate height and weight. If any problems are found, your doctor may recommend discontinuing treatment.
Foods to avoid while taking Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride)
Although Strattera can be taken with or without food, you should avoid the following foods while taking Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride):
Alcohol: Avoid alcohol intake (either short-term binge drinking or frequent consumption). Taking Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride) with alcohol may increase the risk of adverse effects such as sedation and also decrease the benefits of taking the medication.
Coffee: Taking coffee while on Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride) can affect the way the medication works and reduce its effectiveness. This is because coffee contains caffeine which interacts poorly with the medication and reduces the effect of Strattera. In addition, coffee can also stimulate the brain and counter the hyperactivity calming effects of Strattera.
Foods containing Illegal drugs: Taking Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride) while consuming food substances containing illegal drugs such as ayahuasca, cannabis (marijuana/pot/weed) ecstasy, cocaine, LSD, crystal meth, and heroin can increase the risk of life-threatening side effects and sudden death.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice: Although no drug interaction has been reported between Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride) and grapefruit juice it is best to avoid taking both at the same time so as not to worsen your condition or increase the risk of adverse effects.
What are the possible side effects of Strattera?
Strattera may cause serious side effects including:
• chest pain,
• trouble breathing,
• lightheadedness ,
• hallucinations,
• new behavior problems,
• aggression,
• hostility,
• paranoia,
• stomach pain,
• itching,
• flu-like symptoms,
• dark urine,
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes),
• painful or difficult urination, and
• erection that is painful or lasts longer than 4 hours
Get medical help right away, if you have any of the symptoms listed above.
The most common side effects of Strattera include:
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• constipation,
• dry mouth,
• loss of appetite,
• mood changes,
• feeling tired,
• dizziness,
• urination problems, and
• impotence, trouble having an erection,
Tell the doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.
These are not all the possible side effects of Strattera. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
