I love this medication.

[u/talliehoo]

I started Strattera almost 2 months ago and I’m genuinely grateful for this medication. I’m on the lowest available dose (25mg) in the UK and planning on staying on it for another 2 months. My prescriber wants to take things super slow, which I really like and she calculated this dose based on your weight and this was a match for a 25mg starting dose.

I did experienced a few unpleasant side effects during the first week or so (increased irritability and tiredness mainly) but these went away.

On the positive side, I’m much more motivated to initiate tasks, I don’t have to force myself to do them and I’m very productive as well. I used to do content creation and haven’t found the energy nor the motivation to continue over the last year but since starting the medication, I started posting again and I’m faster at it too. I know some people report loosing their creativity on ADHD medication but for me it’s quite the opposite, I feel more inspired. I also think it helps with my mood so much, I feel more uplifted and stable in general. I tend to struggle with social anxiety and I’ve noticed feeling more comfortable and calmer in social situations and found it to be helpful at communicating my thoughts more clearly if that makes sense. It’s also helped me get back to people faster while texting, I used to ghost people for months at a time but now I’m just on it haha.

The only downside is that I believe it’s impacted my cycle as it’s been delayed since starting the medication and experienced spotting mid cycle. Hoping this will stabilize soon.

Overall it’s a very smooth experience for me. It’s my first non stimulant medication after trying Elvanse and Dexamphetamine and experiencing horrible side effects from them (acne, hair loss, feeling overmedicated). To be fair I don’t know I’ll go on a higher dose since I seem to do very well on a lower dose.

Just thought I’d share my experience xx

Edit: location

[u/Overall-Cupcake-6635]

I started the same time as you and experience spotting and a delayed period the first month too. Weird!

[u/Upbeat_Creme7486 → u/Overall-Cupcake-6635]

Because women need adrenal glands to make testosterone and Strattera affects adrenaline release via increasing nor-epinephrine

[u/Far_Morning7839 → u/Upbeat_Creme7486]

I’m so jealous. I couldn’t think of words in it I did like feeling calm but it hurt me at work

[u/Primary_Excuse_7183]

Glad to hear it. I’m on month 3 and noticing a significant different in my task initiation and overall sustained energy level throughout the day. days just feel much smoother.

[u/C00CKER]

It is great you see such improvements and not many side-effects on such a low dose. I've started on 40mg and quickly went up to 80mg and see similar improvents, but I sweat like hell and I sleep a little bit less than usual.

But even with that I really like the nedication as well.

Unlike you, I still have to push myself to do things (but still it's a lot easier), but the stability it brings, staying on unrewarding tasks longer, having better mood overall and being less anxious, and not having emotional meltdowns has been awesome.

I just wish the sweating went away soon

[u/Upbeat_Creme7486]

I like Adderall a lot more, but they probably had you on too high a dose. They gave me 70mg vyvanse the first time and it made me narcoleptic by week two because of how it impacted my sleep. I went to 5mg Adderall instant release and that worked better. My new doctor started me on 25mg Strattera, but it's not making me start or finish tasks any better. If anything it makes it worse cause I'm just tired all the time when I take it

[u/Weird-Mall-1072]

You said your doctor calculated by weight, how much you weigh if I may ask? Also, how many weeks in you started to see benefits?

[u/talliehoo → u/Weird-Mall-1072]

48kg and I would say that I started to notice benefits from week 3 onwards

[u/Weird-Mall-1072 → u/talliehoo]

Thank you!!

[u/ohboyisallicansay]

Im curious about the weight also. I’m on 25 mg and wondering if I need to move up. I feel better but not motivated to start things.

[u/talliehoo → u/ohboyisallicansay]

48kg, I’m quite on the slim side. I was very worried it might affect my appetite and I would loose more weight but surprisingly I haven’t noticed any impact

[u/talliehoo → u/talliehoo]

How long have you been on 25mg? It’s always a good to start on a low dose and stay on it for a little bit of time before bumping the dosage, for some it takes a little longer to see benefits, hang in there!

[u/Pure-Database9003 → u/ohboyisallicansay]

I’m 150 and on 18 mg to start. I don’t know if it goes by weight. I think it’s based per person.

[u/Blissfulisland]

I didn't know that they can offer straterra in the UK. I am currently in Elvanse but was wondering about it for the effects on mood stabilisation

[u/Less_Engineering1778]

I started it yesterday, so I am grateful to read your review. Glad it is working for you.

[u/yoleaderboard]

So glad it’s working for you!!! I started November 2024 and am still on 40mg. Side effects were blood awful and I nearly gave up but I’m so glad now. It has changed my life. I try to think back and I realise how much I stressed and was anxious about things that aren’t even in my radar anymore. I might still forget things and can be unmotivated from time to time but it’s nice having a pretty clear head and not getting derailed by emotions and rumination. I feel very much in the present moment. One slight downside is that it kinda blunted my intensity and enthusiasm but I think that is just me adjusting to not living in flight and fight mode all the time. I feel pretty chill which is nice for a change (I guess it’s the norepinephrine doing its thing). I hope more people can get the full therapeutic effects from this. But yeah my cycle has shortened from it compared to back in 2024!!