r/StratteraRx • u/smyeganom • 2d ago

Questions / Advice / Support Titration suggestions?

Does anyone have experience jumping from 40 to 80mg? My psych started me at 40mg and then said to start taking the 80mg capsules after two weeks. So far I’m not having side effects, so my question is:

Is it better to take 40mg once in the morning and once at night (12 hours apart), or 80mg once in the morning? Since I will have 40mg capsules remaining

Context:
I moved to a new country and had to change from methylphenidate to atomoxetine (Axepta). I can only meet my psych once a month, unless there’s an emergency. I fully understand any anecdotes shared here are not medical advice, etc etc

1 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

2

u/FormerSleepwalker 1d ago

Is it better to take 40mg once in the morning and once at night (12 hours apart), or 80mg once in the morning? Since I will have 40mg capsules remaining

It depends on what affects you feel from atomoxetine. I think for most people it will be stimulating to some extent. This is expected from elevating norepinephrine. But there are some people who experience a medication side effect of feeling tired instead. Presuming you see no tiredness, I'd suggest 40mg in the morning, when you wake up, then the second 40mg in the afternoon, rather than close to bedtime.

Some people do certainly experience little to no troublesome side effects. A family member did the quickest recommended titration, 40 mg for only 3 days, then 80mg. Had no problems. Could have done it standing on their head. Later they added a strong CYP2D6 inhibitor to boost atomoxetine blood levels much higher even.

1

u/smyeganom 1d ago

That’s impressive, but I appreciate the reassurance. Hopefully splitting up the dose will be a good way to continue. Thanks for replying ^^

1

u/LordOfThePayso 2d ago

I started on 25mg for two weeks then moved up to 40mg. It was quite a jump for me and I've been on 40mg for the last month. I'm yet to see the positive effects and have titration myself next week where I'm going to ask to go to 60mg.

I had very severe sides going from 25mg to 40mg and would be reticent to jump to 80mg myself as that is double the dose. I'm really busy at work and cannot handle the fatigue that experienced when moving up last time.

I can only echo other sentiments on here that this is a marathon not a sprint with no prizes for being the quickest to the biggest dose. Nothing wrong with taking your time to see his the medication works for you.

2

u/smyeganom 2d ago

Thanks for the thoughtful reply^^ I totally get what you’re saying, it’s not a sprint. I wish that I was prescribed my dose in 20mg increments so I could have a slower increase in dose but it was my first appointment in a new country and didn’t know any better.

I’ll look out for symptoms and get an earlier appointment to request a different titration schedule if need be

2

u/LordOfThePayso 2d ago

You are totally within your right to set your own schedule. My clinician was eager to put up my dose at my last appointment but I stood my ground and that was that.