How Long Does Strattera (Atomoxetine) Stay In Your System?

Strattera, also known by its genetic name atomoxetine, is a medication prescribed to people who have been diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Using Strattera has the potential to improve ADHD patients’ attention span, focus, concentration and ability to stop fidgeting.

You may notice certain side effects after beginning your Strattera treatment. Common Strattera side effects include an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, constipation, tiredness, loss of appetite, weight loss, dry mouth, dizziness, drowsiness, a rise in blood pressure, trouble sleeping and decreased sexual ability or desire. Female Strattera patients have also reported menstrual cramps and irregular periods after using the medication. Notify your doctor if any of these common Strattera side effects persist or worsen.

Many patients do not experience serious side effects after using Strattera, but it is still important to be aware of them so you can identify them if necessary. Serious Strattera side effects include difficulty urinating, unusual or irregular heartbeat, fainting, numbness and tingling. In some very rare cases, using Strattera has led to liver disease. Seek medical attention as quickly as you can if you start to notice these signs of liver damage after using atomoxetine: dark urine, persistent nausea, persistent vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach or abdominal pain, and yellowing skin or eyes.

Due to Strattera’s relatively short half-life, it does not stay in patients’ systems for long. It is important to note, though, that every patient has a physiology unique to them, and it may take longer for Strattera to be removed from some patients’ systems than others.

As reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 10 percent of all children between the ages of two and 17 have been diagnosed with ADHD. Here are some more statistics on ADHD in the United States:

• Nearly two out of every three kids with ADHD have at least one disorder on the mental, emotional or behavioral levels.
• One out of every three children with ADHD has anxiety.
• Almost half of all children with ADHD have a behavior problem.

Do not take Strattera if your doctor has not prescribed it to you. Do not misuse or take Strattera for recreational purposes, as this can have adverse effects on your health and your life. If you notice signs of Strattera addiction in yourself or someone you love, get help as soon as possible.

The drugs most commonly used that contain Strattera are the medication itself and its generic version, atomoxetine. Remember, never take Strattera or any other medication if it has not been prescribed to you by your doctor.

Strattera works well for ADHD patients because of its ability to balance out norepinephrine, a naturally occurring neurotransmitter found in the brain. Specifically, norepinephrine works as a stimulant on the central nervous system, and with high levels of norepinephrine, people are more alert and ready for action.

Strattera has a relatively short half-life of about 5.2 hours in patients with a fast metabolism. In some cases, where patients have a slow metabolism, Strattera’s half-life can be increased to about 21.6 hours.

Every patient has a unique physiology, and for this reason, there are many factors which influence how long Strattera and other medications stay in your system. Such factors include your age, metabolism, organ function, genetics and more.

Depending on what kind of drug test you take, Strattera may be detected in your system. Here are some estimates as to how long Strattera will remain detectable in your body based on the different type of drug tests you could be administered:

• Urine: Strattera can be found in your urine between one to a few days after it is used.
• Hair: Strattera can be detected in hair follicles up to 90 days after taking it.
• Blood: Strattera may be found in a patient’s blood up to three days after taking it.