Side Effects, Interactions & Risks

Drinking alcohol while taking Strattera can not only increase your chances of suffering from side effects from your medication but can decrease the effectiveness of atomoxetine on your body and mind. Doctors advise you to avoid alcohol while taking atomoxetine or severely limit your use.

Keep your doctor informed of your alcohol intake and regular habits with regards to alcohol, so you both can be aware of any side effects and decide if taking Strattera is the best decision for you.

What Is Strattera?

Strattera is the brand name for the generic prescription atomoxetine. It’s used primarily to treat ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) as a part of an entire treatment regimen. Scientists aren’t exactly sure how atomoxetine works, but it’s thought to balance neurotransmitters in the brain and change the way they communicate with one another.

This medication may help to increase your ability to pay attention, concentrate, stay focused and stay still.

Strattera is taken in pill form one to two times a day, depending on the severity of your condition and how well atomoxetine works for you. Taking it in the evening may worsen insomnia, so you need to take this medication earlier in the day.

As with most prescriptions, there is a chance you may experience side effects while taking Strattera. These side effects may include:

  • Upset stomach
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Tiredness
  • Loss of appetite/weight loss
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Decrease in sexual ability/desire
  • Menstrual cramps
  • Missed/irregular periods

It’s important to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis while taking atomoxetine, as well as your liver because both can be affected while on atomoxetine. Serious side effects may also occur, such as difficulty urinating, unusually fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting, numbness/tingling, an erection lasting more than four hours, heart attack or stroke. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any side effects from Strattera, so he can help you decide if Strattera is right for you.

Summing Up Side Effects, Interactions And Blackouts Of Mixing Alcohol And Strattera

Your doctor prescribed Strattera to help with your ADHD. Alcohol with likely decrease the chance of your medication working, so it’s best to avoid alcohol while taking Strattera. Drinking alcohol while on atomoxetine will also increase the possibility of side effects, some of them serious.

Have an honest conversation with your doctor about any alcohol consumption habits you may have or if you intend to drink alcohol while taking atomoxetine to avoid any unwanted problems or effects and to insure you receive the best possible care.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.