Strattera Dosages: Your GoodRx Guide
Key takeaways:
The typical Strattera (atomoxetine) dosage for adults starts at 40 mg by mouth once daily. It may be increased to a target dosage of 80 mg daily after a few days.
The typical Strattera dosage for children ages 6 to 17 depends on their weight. If they weigh 154 lbs (70 kg) or less, the usual starting dose is 0.5 mg per kg body weight per day. Then it may increase to 1.2 mg per kg body weight per day. If they weigh over 154 lbs (70 kg), they’ll take the adult dose.
It make take a few weeks or more for Strattera to improve ADHD symptoms.
Strattera is available as a lower-cost generic. GoodRx can help you save over 80% off the average retail price at certain pharmacies.
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Table of contents
If you or your child has been diagnosed with ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), you may have discussed treatment options with your healthcare provider. There are two main categories of medications for ADHD: stimulants and non-stimulants. In this article, we’ll focus on one of the most common non-stimulant medications –– Strattera (atomoxetine). We’ll cover everything you need to know about Strattera dosages for both adults and children.
What’s the typical Strattera dosage for adults?
The typical Strattera dosage for adults starts at 40 mg per day. After 3 or more days, your dose may be increased to a target dose of 80 mg. Often, increasing your Strattera dosage to 80 mg helps it have the greatest effect on your ADHD symptoms.
Doses greater than 80 mg may not be needed. But if you’re not responding to Strattera after 2 to 4 weeks, your healthcare provider may increase your dosage to 100 mg. This is the maximum dose.
You can take your full Strattera dose once in the morning, or divide it into two doses: one in the morning, and one in the late afternoon or early evening. You can take it with or without food. Make sure to swallow the capsule whole.
Keep in mind: It may take 1 to 2 weeks for you to feel some symptom improvement after starting Strattera. Even then, significant symptom improvement may take 4 to 6 weeks or even more. Some research in adults shows that the maximum benefit from Strattera can take 6 to 9 months.
What’s the typical Strattera dosage for children and adolescents?
In children ages 6 to 17 years old, the appropriate Strattera dosage depends on their weight:
Body weight of 154 lbs (70 kg) or less: The typical starting dosage is 0.5 mg per kg body weight per day. After 3 days or more, the dose may be increased to a target dose of 1.2 mg per kg body weight per day. The maximum daily dose is 1.4 mg per kg body weight (and no more than 100 mg).
Body weight over 154 lbs (70 kg): The recommended dosage is the same as the adult dosages discussed above.
Similar to adults, children and adolescents can take their full dose once in the morning, or divide it into two doses: one in the morning, and one in the late afternoon or early evening.
Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?
Certain people may need a lower Strattera dosage than what’s discussed above. This includes people with liver problems and people who take medications known to interact with Strattera.
Dosage adjustment for people with liver problems
If you have liver problems, you may need a lower Strattera dosage. But it depends on how severe your liver problems are. Your healthcare provider may check how well your liver is working prior to starting Strattera. This can be done with a set of blood tests called “liver function tests.”
Dosage adjustments usually aren't needed if your liver issues are mild. But if your liver problems are considered moderate, your provider may start you at 50% of the usual dose. For example, this would be a starting dose of 20 mg in adults.
If your liver problems are severe, your starting dose may be even lower at 25% of the usual dose. In adults, this would be a starting dose of 10 mg.
Dosage adjustment for known drug interactions
It’s possible that you or your child takes another medication that interacts with Strattera. Some interactions can increase levels of Strattera in the body, which raises your risk for side effects.
Examples of medications that increase Strattera levels include:
Some antidepressants, like paroxetine (Paxil), fluoxetine (Prozac), and bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Quinidine
Terbinafine
These medications interact with Strattera by blocking enzymes (proteins) in the liver that break down Strattera. When these enzymes are blocked, Strattera sticks around in the body longer instead of getting removed. That’s why it’s important to give your healthcare provider and pharmacist a list of all the medications you or your child takes. This helps them check for interactions.
If you or your child take a medication that interacts with Strattera, your starting dose may stay the same. But your healthcare provider may wait longer than usual (4 weeks, instead of a few days) to see if you are tolerating your dose. If you're tolerating Strattera after 4 weeks, they may increase your dose. Waiting longer to increase your dose helps you and your provider be sure you don’t have abnormal side effects from Strattera before increasing the dose further.
What happens if you miss a dose of Strattera?
If you or your child misses a dose of Strattera, take it as soon as possible. However, if you don’t remember until hours later, just skip your missed dose. Take your next dose at your usual time. Never double up on doses to make up for a missed dose.
Keep in mind that you shouldn’t exceed the maximum recommended dose in any given 24-hour period.
What should you do if you take too much Strattera?
Taking too much Strattera is dangerous. If you or your child takes too many Strattera capsules or is experiencing symptoms of an overdose, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 right away or seek emergency treatment immediately. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, dizziness, and stomach problems. Too much Strattera can also cause serious symptoms such as heart problems, seizures, and hallucinations.
How to save on Strattera
GoodRx may be able to help you save over 80% off the average retail price of generic Strattera. The price of generic Strattera (thirty 80 mg tablets) at certain pharmacies is as low as $21.30 with a free GoodRx discount.
The bottom line
The typical Strattera dosage for adults is 40 mg by mouth once daily, which can be increased to a target dosage of 80 mg after a few days.
For children ages 6 to 17, their dose typically starts at 0.5 mg per kg body weight per day if they weigh 154 lbs (70 kg) or less. Then, it may increase to 1.2 mg per kg body weight per day. If your child or teen weighs more than 154 lb (70 kg), they’ll take the adult dose.
The maximum Strattera dosage is 100 mg (or 1.4 mg per kg body weight in children and adolescents, whichever is less).
It may take a few weeks or more to feel ADHD symptom improvement from Strattera. Keep your healthcare provider posted about how you feel after starting it. They can help find the best dose for you, or suggest another ADHD medication in some instances.
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References
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA. (2023). Atomoxetine [package insert].
Kabul, S., et al. (2015). Real‐world dosing patterns of atomoxetine in adults with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder. CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Drug development and drug interactions | table of substrates, inhibitors and inducers.
Wietecha, L. A., et al. (2016). Atomoxetine increased effect over time in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder treated for up to 6 months: Pooled analysis of two double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trials. CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics.
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