{"id":633269,"date":"2025-08-29T09:30:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T13:30:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633269"},"modified":"2025-08-21T16:40:15","modified_gmt":"2025-08-21T20:40:15","slug":"how-to-tell-if-strattera-is-working","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-tell-if-strattera-is-working\/","title":{"rendered":"How do I know if Strattera is working?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Atomoxetine<\/span><\/a>, better known by the brand name <\/span>Strattera<\/span><\/a>, is a non-stimulant medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children older than 6. It belongs to a class of drugs called selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Unlike well-known stimulant medications that treat ADHD, such as <\/span>Ritalin<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Adderall<\/span><\/a>, Strattera takes some time to work. You may see small improvements within two weeks, but it can take four to eight weeks for it to significantly alleviate ADHD symptoms.\u00a0 Here\u2019s what to expect and how to know if it\u2019s working for you.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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How to tell if Strattera is working<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cWhen taking Strattera, you should feel less \u2018scattered,\u2019 more focused, and better organized,\u201d says Rachela Elias, MD, psychiatrist and medical director of Rivia Mind. In other words, it should alleviate the hallmark symptoms of ADHD: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strattera is a capsule taken <\/span>once or twice daily<\/span><\/a> that is thought to work by increasing the levels of <\/span>norepinephrine<\/span><\/a> and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that help the brain regulate attention, alertness, and arousal. When it\u2019s effective, people taking Strattera report feeling more attentive, calmer, possibly less impulsive, and better able to focus. Tracking changes in how you feel and are functioning in a symptom diary can help you and your provider determine how well the medication is working for you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Non-stimulant medications<\/span><\/a> take longer to start working than stimulants. A <\/span>research review<\/span><\/a> found that while some benefits show up as quickly as one to two weeks, the effects build over time. Typical Strattera dosing starts with an initiation dose for at least three days and then a gradual dose increase to achieve the desired effect. It can take four to eight weeks to have a \u201crobust\u201d response, where most symptoms are alleviated.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the success rate of Strattera?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Stimulants and non-stimulants are the two main types of medication used to treat ADHD, and within each category, there are many different options.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Stimulants are widely considered the first-line, most effective treatment option, alleviating symptoms for <\/span>70% of adults and 70% to 80% of children<\/span><\/a>. Most stimulants contain a version of either methylphenidate or amphetamine. Commonly prescribed stimulant medications include: Adderall (amphetamine dextroamphetamine),\u00a0 Ritalin (methylphenidate), Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), and Focalin (dexmethylphenidate).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Straterra falls into the non-stimulant category. It is the first nonstimulant also considered a first-line treatment for ADHD, according to the <\/span>American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)<\/span><\/a>. That\u2019s because \u201cStrattera stacks up well in comparison to the controlled substances for ADHD,\u201d says <\/span>Dr. Elias<\/span><\/a>. In other words, it\u2019s considered nearly as effective as stimulant medication, with studies finding a <\/span>success rate of 60%<\/span><\/a> to improve ADHD symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other non-stimulant options include <\/span>Intuniv<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>guanfacine<\/span><\/a>), <\/span>Kapvay (clonidine)<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Qelbree (viloxazine)<\/span><\/a>. These medications are often used for patients who can\u2019t take stimulants or have a coexisting condition, such as anxiety or tics.<\/span><\/p>\n

How Strattera works\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Strattera affects the chemical messengers, or neurotransmitters, that allow the different parts of your brain to communicate and work together. It is thought to work by boosting levels of norepinephrine, which is known to help with alertness, attention, and focus. At the same time, it raises dopamine levels in the prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain that\u2019s responsible for planning, decision-making, and controlling your behavior. In combination, these effects are thought to decrease inattention and impulsivity. <\/span>Stimulant medications<\/span><\/a> affect brain chemistry in a similar way to alleviate symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Strattera may take longer to start working than a stimulant medication, but it also lasts longer. While even <\/span>long-acting stimulants<\/span><\/a> wear off within three to 12 hours, Strattera works \u201c<\/span>around the clock<\/span><\/a>.\u201d In fact, non-stimulants can work for as long as 24 hours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStrattera is a more stable medication compared to stimulants,\u201d notes <\/span>Ryan Sultan<\/span><\/a>, MD, psychiatrist and medical director of Integrative Psych, a mental health clinic in New York City. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t \u2018kick in\u2019 like Adderall and Vyvanse.\u201d Strattera is also not a controlled substance, so there\u2019s <\/span>not the potential for addiction, diversion,\u00a0 or abuse that accompanies stimulants<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

While this medication does tend to be well-tolerated, it can cause <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a>, such as:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n