Strattera also known by its generic name atomoxetine is a commonly prescribed medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It works by increasing levels of norepinephrine in the brain, which can help improve focus and attention.
While Strattera can be an effective treatment option some people may be interested in stopping their medication for various reasons. A common question many have is can I quit taking Strattera cold turkey? Or do I need to taper off it slowly? Below we’ll take a detailed look at answering this question.
What Happens If You Stop Strattera Suddenly?
Strattera is not a stimulant like other ADHD medications such as Adderall or Ritalin. Therefore, stopping Strattera suddenly does not typically cause intense withdrawal symptoms
However, some people may still experience some side effects when stopping Strattera cold turkey. Potential withdrawal symptoms can include:
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Muscle tension
Symptoms tend to be mild compared to stimulant ADHD medication withdrawal. However, symptoms can be uncomfortable and disruptive to daily life. The timeline and duration of Strattera withdrawal can vary significantly based on individual factors.
Is It Dangerous to Quit Strattera Cold Turkey?
While quitting Strattera cold turkey can cause unpleasant withdrawal effects, it is generally not dangerous when done under medical supervision.
There are no life-threatening side effects associated with suddenly stopping Strattera treatment. However, the experience will likely be more uncomfortable compared to slowly weaning off the medication.
Sudden Strattera cessation may lead to significant return of ADHD symptoms. If ADHD symptoms are severe, quitting Strattera without an alternative treatment plan can negatively impact work performance, relationships, and overall quality of life.
For these reasons, it is not recommended to stop taking Strattera abruptly unless under the direction of your prescribing doctor.
How to Safely Stop Taking Strattera
The recommended approach for discontinuing Strattera is to taper off the medication gradually under medical supervision. This helps minimize withdrawal symptoms and risk of ADHD relapse.
Here are some tips for safely stopping Strattera treatment:
- Consult your doctor about tapering schedule. They will create a customized schedule based on your dosage amount and how long you’ve been taking Strattera.
- Slowly reduce Strattera dose over weeks or months. A typical tapering schedule decreases the dose by 10-25% every 1-2 weeks.
- Carefully follow prescribed tapering dosage instructions. Do not adjust schedule without consulting your doctor.
- Monitor for withdrawal effects and return of ADHD symptoms as dose decreases. Report any issues to your doctor.
- Consider starting behavioral therapies and making lifestyle adjustments to help manage ADHD symptoms as you taper off Strattera.
- Do not stop taking Strattera completely until you reach the final lowest dose prescribed by your doctor.
Following this gradual tapering approach can make discontinuing Strattera much smoother than suddenly stopping. Be sure to work closely with your doctor throughout the process.
Factors That Influence Strattera Withdrawal Effects
Several key factors impact the intensity and duration of withdrawal someone experiences when quitting Strattera:
Dosage Amount – People taking higher Strattera doses are more likely to have stronger withdrawal effects during tapering.
Length of Treatment – Longer duration of Strattera treatment generally leads to more pronounced withdrawal symptoms.
Individual Biology – Genetic, health, and other biological factors affect how quickly the body adjusts to lower Strattera levels.
Abrupt vs Gradual Cessation – Suddenly stopping Strattera causes more intense effects than slowly tapering dosage.
Other Medications – Taking other medications, particularly antidepressants, can influence Strattera withdrawal experience.
Pre-Existing Conditions – Certain physical or mental health conditions may worsen Strattera withdrawal symptoms.
Lifestyle Factors – Things like diet, exercise, sleep habits, and stress levels impact withdrawal process.
Considering these various factors, the Strattera discontinuation process can vary significantly between individuals. Working with a doctor provides important guidance tailored to your unique situation.
Seeking Medical Support for Strattera Withdrawal
While not always necessary, seeking medical support can make withdrawing from Strattera easier and safer for some people. A doctor can help by:
- Creating a personalized tapering schedule to slowly decrease your Strattera dosage.
- Monitoring withdrawal effects and adjusting schedule if needed.
- Prescribing medications to help manage difficult withdrawal symptoms.
- Providing therapeutic support and behavioral strategies for ADHD symptoms.
- Assessing if another ADHD treatment is appropriate after completing Strattera discontinuation.
Seeking counseling and participating in support groups can also help when quitting Strattera. The support provides encouragement and accountability during an often challenging process.
For those taking Strattera for ADHD or other medical conditions, medical oversight is strongly recommended when discontinuing treatment. Suddenly stopping any psychiatric medication on your own is not advised.
The Bottom Line
While stopping Strattera abruptly is possible in some cases, slowly tapering under medical supervision is the recommended approach to minimize withdrawal effects and safely transition off treatment.
The exact Strattera withdrawal timeline varies between individuals based on personal factors. Patience is required, as tapering off Strattera can take weeks or even months depending on your dosage and length of treatment. But with the proper support, you can successfully discontinue Strattera when needed.
FAQ
Does Strattera need to be weaned?
STRATTERA may be taken with or without food. STRATTERA can be discontinued without being tapered.
What happens if I just stop taking atomoxetine?
Once you start taking atomoxetine, the brain adjusts to having a new level of noradrenaline around. If you stop taking atomoxetine all at once, the balance starts to change again. There are no reported withdrawal effects if you stop atomoxetine suddenly, but you could get your old symptoms back.
Can you break up Strattera?
Swallow the capsule whole. Do not crush, break, chew, or open it. You may take this medicine with or without food.
What happens if I skip Strattera?
If you miss a dose of STRATTERA, take it as soon as you remember that day. If you miss a day of STRATTERA, do not double your dose the next day. Just skip the day you missed. From time to time, your doctor may stop STRATTERA treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
Can Strattera be stopped cold turkey?
In addition, Strattera should never be stopped cold turkey, as this can produce unwanted withdrawal symptoms. Typically, if you no longer want to use Strattera, your doctor will lower your Strattera dose gradually over time so your body can adjust to less and less of the medication. New Year, New Beginnings.
What happens if you stop taking Strattera?
Most people who have stopped using Strattera experience very minimal withdrawal symptoms. This is because Strattera specifically affects the norepinephrine neurotransmitter. Medications that affect this neurotransmitter have fewer withdrawal symptoms than medications that affect other neurotransmitters such as to serotonin or dopamine.
What are the symptoms of Strattera withdrawal?
With that said, this is still a psychoactive drug that has an impact on the way neurotransmitters are working in the brain. Most people that experience withdrawal symptoms tend to report minor things such as: anxiety, cognition impairment, dizziness, and headaches. Anxiety: This is a common symptom associated with Strattera withdrawal.
Should I stop taking Strattera If I have ADHD?
Strattera comes in a variety of dosages. Typically a doctor will work with a patient to work their way up to a dose that proves effective at eliminating symptoms of ADHD. If you are withdrawing from the drug and were up to a high dose, it may be wise to consider cutting the dose and tapering rather than quitting cold turkey.
What factors affect withdrawal from Strattera?
There are many factors that influence withdrawal from various medications. With Strattera, the most important factors are the dose and the time you took the medication. If you were on a high dose and took it for a long term – you will likely experience more withdrawal symptoms.
Can Strattera cause liver disease?
In very rare instances, using Strattera can lead to liver disease. Get medical help as soon as possible if you begin to experience liver damage symptoms such as dark urine, persistent nausea, persistent vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach or abdominal pain, and yellowing skin or eyes.