Strattera – uses, health risks, and side effects at NaturalPedia.com

Tuesday, September 18, 2018 by Michelle Simmons

Strattera is the brand name for the drug atomoxetine. It is prescribed for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in both children and adults. It belongs to a class of medications called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It is believed to reduce hyperactivity and improve concentration of ADHD patients. This drug works by increasing levels of norepinephrine, a brain substance that helps control behavior.

This drug should not be taken by the following:

people with narrow-angle glaucoma
people with adrenal gland tumor
people with heart disease or coronary artery disease
people with moderate to severe high blood pressure
people taking or have taken isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and other monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors

Known side effects of Strattera

The common side effects of Strattera include constipation, loss of appetite, insomnia, and xerostomia. It may also cause dermatitis, dysmenorrhea, dizziness, dyspepsia, ejaculatory disorder, erectile dysfunction, urinary hesitancy, and diaphoresis.

Strattera can also cause serious side effects. It may cause new or worsening psychosis, especially in people who have a history of depression, mental illness, or bipolar disorder. It can also cause stroke, heart attack, and sudden death in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or a heart problem. This drug can also cause suicidal thoughts.

Body systems that may be harmed by Strattera

The body systems that may be harmed by Strattera include the digestive, metabolic, cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous, psychiatric, dermatologic, reproductive, respiratory, and ocular systems.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent Strattera’s side effects

The following food items may prevent insomnia, one of the common side effects of Strattera:

Bananas
Basil
Foods rich in vitamin B6, such as bananas, beans, chicken, fish, peanut butter, and potatoes
Magnesium-rich foods such as pumpkin seeds and leafy greens
Tart cherry juice
Walnuts

Treatments, management plans for the Strattera’s side effects

Dizziness, a common side effect of Strattera, can be treated naturally by the following:

Drinking enough water
Including ginger in your diet, drinking ginger tea, or taking ginger supplements
Consuming vitamin C-rich foods, such as oranges, grapefruits, strawberries, and bell peppers
Eating foods rich in vitamin E, such as kiwi, nuts, seeds, spinach, and wheat germ
Consuming vitamin B6-rich foods, including apricots, lean pork, pistachios, prunes, tuna, and turkey
Increasing your iron intake with beans, dark leafy greens, poultry, and red meat