Help! Straterra Side Effect??

Submitted by an LD OnLine user on

I hope someone can help me. My 14 year old boy is ADD/LD. He is on Straterra and has been practically since it came out. For focus, it’s wonderful. But I’m beginning to wonder if my son’s stomach problems aren’t stomach problems, but instead a reaction to Straterra.

Ever since he started taking Straterra, he has incidents where he has nausea for a few days at a time and then it clears up. It’s usually when he wakes up (often before taking the pill) , but it can hit him at other times too. Has anyone ever heard of Straterra causing this?

Last June, he had a longer strtch of this— 10 days and then it cleared up. This October he has been sick all month. I’ve had him checked out for gastric problems and he was fine. Yet he is sick with nausea and vomiting, very tired and weak.

Does anyone have any ideas about this?? I appreciate any help you can give me. I’m very worried.

Submitted by Mayleng on Sat, 10/29/2005 - 11:26 PM

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Julie, Yes stomach problems and nausea are side effects of strattera.

Checkout this link. http://millermom.proboards23.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1067310659

Submitted by Esmom on Fri, 11/04/2005 - 5:06 PM

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My son (4 1/2) used it briefly. He lost 2 pounds, complained of stomach pain and also became more physically aggressive.

My coworker’s son is 17 and is using it. He has little to no side effects. But he still has self-organization and focus issues, but the support he receives from school and family really helps him.

Submitted by julie on Sun, 11/13/2005 - 4:24 PM

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This is Julie. Thanks to all for your help. The website was particularly helpful— it didn’t sound as if what my son was experiencing was related to Straterra because it seems the side effect happens right away and goes away when the child goes off Straterra.

Even though my son’s symptoms didn’t appear to be as result of Straterra, the doctor had us discontinue it to make absolutely sure. It wasn’t the culprit. There were no side effects coming off the medication.

We still don’t know what’s going on with him, but can turn our attention away from Straterra as a possible cause.

Submitted by Steve on Mon, 11/14/2005 - 8:03 PM

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Good for the doctor! That’s what they are supposed to do. Sounds like a good one to stick with. Good luck!

Submitted by JenM on Sun, 11/20/2005 - 1:23 AM

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Is there any chance that anxiety is the culprit? One sign of anxiety is unexplained stomach problems! It is fairly common for anxiety to be comorbid with adhd.

Submitted by julie on Fri, 12/02/2005 - 8:49 PM

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Sorry I’ve been so long in replying. I’ve had my hands full!

Thanks for the idea about anxiety. What’s bothering him has been diagnosed as everything, including anxiety. The latest theory is that it is an inner ear problem or an autonomic nerve deficit. His symptoms have elements of both. Nothing that’s been tried so far has worked, and it’s very discouraging to be 10 weeks into this with no diagnosis. Looking back, this all started about 2 years ago, but never with this duration or severity.

He is no better, and quite a bit weaker. He can’t stand or sit for any length of time. He is still without Strattera, but is doing ok with Homebound schooling because it’s one to one and he sets the pace. Fortunately the instructors are wonderful and used to dealing with children with various challenges. Still he misses being able to concentrate.

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