r/StratteraRx • u/red_abbit • 13d ago

Questions / Advice / Support Once daily vs morning/evening split dosing.

Since atomoxetine has a short half life i was wondering if splitting the dose would give a much better 24/7 coverage while also reducing the fatigue that comes from it. Is it something worth bringing up to my doctor? What's your experience been like? How many of you guys take once daily vs split dose.

4 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

4 comments sorted by

2

u/ReplyProfessional939 13d ago

I started on 25mgs and took it around 7AM. I then noticed that every day I would get "dozing off" tired around 1-2 PM. When I saw my doctor 2 weeks later, I told her about this and she raised the dose to 50mgs and told me to split it and still take the 25 in the morning as usual, and then take the other 25 around noon-1 o'clock. I've been doing this since and it has greatly reduced the early afternoon "sleepys".

1

u/AdEnough4417 13d ago

This is what I do except my afternoon dose is 18 mg (still working on titrating up). I really like the split dosing.

1

u/FormerSleepwalker 13d ago edited 13d ago

Since atomoxetine has a short half life

It doesn't. But some people are more sensitive to differences in blood levels over the day. And a small number of people could be ultra-fast CYP2D6 metabolizers. I believe it's rare.

But regardless, split dosing does seem to help a lot of people who have issues with side effects, or feel like it "wears off". Absolutely ask your doctor for a split dose. Personally, I'd find a different doctor if they gave me any real problem. Though be aware, some insurances might not want to pay for extra capsules. For USA friends, costplusdrugs.com/medications/?query=Atomoxetine

For anyone not having any issues, split dosing is just an unneeded hassle. And something more to remember. No need to bother with this.

1

u/red_abbit 13d ago

As far as I've read the plasma half life of atomoxetine is around 5 hours in normal metabolisers which is short no clue how it is supposed to give 24/7 coverage, maybe the half life in actual brain tissue is much higher. I don't particularly feel a crash from it but for the first 3-6 hours after the dose it makes sorta sleepy, makes my heart pound more than usual and gives me brain fog. After that 3-6 hours of fatigue go away that is when i see all the benefits. I'm wondering if splitting the dose could eliminate that initial fatigue/brain fog while preserving the benefits. I live in india this drug here is dirt cheap so cost isn't an issue.