These days many children and adults suffer from ADHD. Due to this disorder, patients may have difficulty with several medical problems, such as paying attention, hyperactivity, excessive talking, behavioral problems, loss of attention, and many other problems. There are various medicines available to treat this disorder. Among those Strattera and Adderall are the most pickable drug by people. We are trying to give a complete analysis of Strattera Vs Adderall drugs in this blog.
Strattera drug helps patients who are suffering from this mental illness, as it may help reduce behavioral problems and improve focus. Adderall medicine is provided to stay focused and pay attention to any task.
So, Let’s start to compare the both drugs depending on certain factors. Read the blog till the end!
Comparison: Strattera vs Adderall Drugs
Let’s compare both medications depending on the following factors-
About Strattera Drug
Strattera is the first non-stimulant drug that belongs to the family of medicines called Adrenergic uptake inhibitors that is used for treating ADHD.
It is a brand-name drug that is available as an active ingredient called Atomoxetine Hcl (Atomoxetine hydrochloride). This active element is also known as a generic composition of Strattera medicine.
The U.S. FDA approved this drug in November 2002. This medication is used for treating ADHD symptoms in both adults and children (who are over the age of 6 years).
About Adderall Drug
Adderall is a stimulant medication that is used to treat the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children (who are older than 4 years).
It is a brand-name medicine for the combination of two generic drugs dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. This branded drug belongs to the CNS stimulant drug class which can be used to manage ADHD conditions.
This medicine is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and it is a prescription-only drug. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) categorized Adderall as a Schedule II medicine.
Function: Strattera vs Adderall
Strattera works in the brain and restores neurotransmitter balance. It is a natural chemical substance that helps to carry the chemical signals from one nerve cell to another nerve cell.
Adderall increases the number of chemicals in the brain which can help in paying attention and controlling impulsive behaviors in patients. Dopamine and norepinephrine are chemical compounds (neurotransmitters) and increase the quantity of the chemical substances which gives better results in the treatment of ADHD symptoms.
ADHD Treatment choice:
There are two categories of ADHD medications such as first-line medication and second-line medication. Adderall is a stimulant drug and is the most effective ADHD treatment. So, it is considered a first-line medication.
And, Strattera is a non-stimulant drug and is considered a second-line medicine. They are not as effective as stimulants but they are still effective in managing ADHD symptoms.
Dosage Strength and Forms
1) Strattera medicine is available in the form of an oral capsule. The dosage formulation of Strattera medicine along with the strengths are mentioned below:
Form of Oral Capsule
- Strattera 10 mg
- Strattera 18 mg
- Strattera 25 mg
- Strattera 40 mg
- Strattera 60 mg
- Strattera 80 mg
- Strattera 100 mg
2) Adderall is available in immediate-release tablet and extended-release capsule form. The various available dosage strengths are as follows-
Form of Immediate-Release Tablet
- Adderall 5 mg
- Adderall 7.5 mg
- Adderall 10 mg
- Adderall 12.5 mg
- Adderall 15 mg
- Adderall 20 mg
- Adderall 30 mg
Form of Extended-Release Capsule
- Adderall XR 5 mg
- Adderall XR 10 mg
- Adderall XR 15 mg
- Adderall XR 20 mg
- Adderall XR 25mg
- Adderall XR 30 mg
Uses of Both drugs:(Strattera vs Adderall)
Strattera is used to relieve the conditions of ADHD disorder. ADHD commonly affects an individual’s brain which is mostly found in children and adults. People with ADHD disorder may face difficulty paying attention and have impulsive behavior.
Adderall medicine is generally used to treat the symptoms of ADHD disorder and narcolepsy. It helps to pay attention, balance behavioral problems, and stay focused.
Half-life of Both Drugs
Strattera drug affects up to 5.2 hours in the healthy adult’s body.
Adderall half-life is considered to be 9 to 14 hours
Side Effects of Strattera and Adderall
While using Strattera and Adderall medications, people may have some health issues in their bodies. These two drugs may cause some common and severe side effects as follows.
Common Side Effects
- Trouble having an orgasm
- Trouble sleeping (also called insomnia)
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Cough
- Decreased appetite
- Drowsiness
- Impotence
- Loss of interest in sex
- Upset stomach
- Irritability
- Constipation
- Skin rash
- Itching
- Increased menstrual cramps
Serious Side Effects
- Tingling
- Difficulty urinating
- Numbness
- Unusually fast heart rate
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fainting
Precautions for Adderall and Strattera
- If anyone has any other allergies to Strattera and Adderall medicines, they must consult with their personal doctor.
- Do not use these two medicines with other interacting drugs, as both medications may cause some severe side effects like breathing problems, death, etc.
- Never share the dosage of Strattera and Adderall drugs with the other ADHD patients.
- Both two medicines are not intended for pregnant ladies as these medicines cause dangerous symptoms on the unborn child.
- If an individual takes these drugs when consuming alcohol, both drugs can harm the patient’s body and may result in death.
- If people miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Do not consume missed or next doses at one time.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Adderall and Strattera are effective medications used to manage attention disorder symptoms. It is considered that Adderall is a first-line treatment, but it may not be the right choice for every person.
People can choose the non-stimulant medication Strattera if they are sensitive to stimulants. Before deciding to choose any medication talk to a doctor about which one is right for you.
