ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a growing phenomenon among people dealing with mental health disorders. To find its solution, healthcare professionals will prescribe two specific medications, and it is going to be between Adderall vs Strattera. Adderall and Strattera have been two of the most effective medications for ADHD and other issues like mental health and weight loss, and doctors will carefully study the factors under which the patients will be prescribed these pills, like whether patients diagnosed with ADHD are children or adults. It is important because both medications have their disadvantages. We must also gain insights into how these two medicines work, and then we will find out which pill is better of the two.
Adderall vs Strattera: Learning Their Differences, Mechanisms, Interactions, and Risks
What is Adderall?
Adderall comes as a mix of dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Doctors prescribe it mainly for ADHD and the sleep issue known as narcolepsy. You can find it on the market in a couple of versions. There is the immediate-release kind called Adderall IR. Then there is the extended-release one called Adderall XR. It goes by other names, too, like Mydayis. Since it counts as a Schedule II drug, you really should not touch it without a prescription from your doctor. It carries a strong risk for abuse, and that potential can lead to dependence and all sorts of side effects. Still, experts figure that if you use it under control, Adderall stands out as a top option for handling ADHD.
What is Strattera?
Strattera is another medication for ADHD, also known by its generic name atomoxetine. It is a much milder dose to treat the disorder, and unlike adderall, it is not a stimulant. It is not even a controlled substance, which means it can be prescribed safely for the patient. Strattera is less prone to abuse, which is why it can be used to help kids aged 6-13 years deal with hyperactivity. Strattera is available with different brand names, such as Axepta, Atomoxet, Tomoxetin, Atomoxet-10, etc. Even though it is a non-controlled medication, a doctor’s recommendation is a must before its use, because overdose can lead to side effects.
How do Adderall and Strattera Work?
Adderall and Strattera do not work in quite the same way at all. Still, they both aim to get neurotransmitters into the brain. This helps slow things down a bit. It lets certain chemical levels build up. That can make one feel more relaxed. It might even bring on some euphoria. Adderall acts as a stimulant for the central nervous system. It interacts with receptors for norepinephrine and dopamine. This boosts their levels throughout the brain and nervous system. Strattera takes a different route. It functions as a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). That means it targets just the norepinephrine receptors.
Can You Take Adderall And Strattera Together?
Adderall and Strattera are not usually advised to be taken together, and they must never be taken together independently and Adderall and Strattera together can be risky. Only under some situations can one take the two medications together, like if Adderall, as a stimulant, causes some serious side effects, doctors can reduce the adderall dose and add Strattera to continue the full day dosage for ADHD to make sure the side effects do not show up again. A doctor can also prescribe the two medicines at once when one medication does not work effectively. Yet this decision must be made only by the doctor after constant medical monitoring.
What is The Difference Between Adderall And Strattera?
The differences between Strattera and Adderall are many, and there is more than we know. From drug class to onset of action, from half-life to dosage, the differences span many categories. Some of them could be:
- Drug class and status: Adderall is a controlled drug, graded as a Schedule II substance, and is a CNS stimulant. Strattera is neither a controlled substance nor a stimulant; it is just a chemical inhibitor that makes it less dangerous.
- Mechanism: While Strattera works only on norepinephrine receptors, Adderall makes neurotransmitters enter the brain and release both norepinephrine and dopamine.
- Onset: Adderall takes much quicker time to show its effects on our brain, approximately around 30-60 minutes, whereas Strattera takes as long as 4 weeks to show its full effect.
- Duration: Strattera remains in our body for up to 20 hours, but adderall, which is available in both IR and XR forms of medication, stays from 4-6 hours to as long as 12 hours.
- Intensity of Side Effects: As Adderall is an addictive drug, the intensity of the side effects can be much higher than Strattera, which is less abusive in nature.
Impacts of Adderall and Strattera
Adderall vs Strattera in adults, in children, in mental health, and in weight loss can have many impacts. These two pills can affect our daily lives in many ways, and we must know how they do it:
- In Adults: Adderall affects adults quickly, as it starts working within hours of its onset, which increases the risk of abuse. Strattera works a bit more gradually, stays for a whole day in our bodies, and shows its effects after weeks of medication.
- In Children: Both Strattera and Adderall are administered for children in the age group of 3-16 years, and they help children stay active mentally, learn, and pay attention to things around them attentively. One of the common side effects found in children of these medications is slowed growth and weight gain.
- In Mental Health: People with ADHD and other mental health disorders find Adderall and Strattera as great remedies to cure their hyperactive and impulsive behaviour. However, many times these medications can amplify anxiety and depression if overdosed.
- In Weight Loss: While Strattera and Adderall are not primarily used for weight loss, one of the side effects of both medicines is loss of appetite, which leads to significant weight loss. This can either be helpful or it can prove to be detrimental.
Adderall and Strattera Interaction
Adderall and Strattera can interact with many other drugs. Drug interaction takes place when drugs not permissible to be taken together or not compatible to mix are mixed to be consumed. Adderall can interact with these drugs.
- Emsam
- Azilect
- Zelapar
- Prozac
- Unisom
- Zoloft
- Fentanyl
- Methadone
Strattera can interact with these drugs:
- Bupropion
- Gabapentin
- Clonazepam
- Ibuprofen
- Hydroxyzine
- Lexapro
- Trazodone
- Vyvanse
- Seroquel
Side Effects of Adderall And Strattera
Adderall and Strattera, being related to ADHD treatment, share many side effects. As both function similarly and both also result in providing a similar type of relaxation and attentiveness to the patient, its new medication or overdose could lead to some similar repercussions. These side effects include:
- Stomach issues
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting and nausea
- Headaches
- Dry Mouth
- Constipation
- Sleeping issues
- Dizziness
- Loss of libido
- Fatigue
Which is Better: Adderall or Strattera?
If we talk about effectiveness, then one can safely say Adderall is better than Strattera. Adderall works way faster than Strattera, which is why it is a first-line medication for ADHD. On top of that, it also treats narcolepsy. Strattera is seen as a safer alternative, as it is not a controlled substance, but it works almost twice as slowly as adderall. Aderall might be better as a remedy, but when it comes to dealing with the side effects, Strattera has a better record here, because of its lower potency. In the end, it completely depends on the patient, on what kind of ADHD they have, and which medication is best for them.
Conclusion
Strattera and Adderall bring to the table the best prescribed medicinal benefits to help one get rid of ADHD. Despite their side effects, their safe use has been proven vital to bring back one’s attentiveness and positive mindset. Addiction to both can be harmful, as the overdose of either can lead to anxiety disorders and even suicidal thoughts. ADHD is a curable disorder, and one cannot let its medications be the reason behind what acute and chronic forms of this disorder bring with them.