Mods,
Shouldn't this be a "Sticky" in the Strattera section???? :confused:

I sure would have liked to have known this!

It was posted, then the post was immediately closed, so it's not even popping up as an occasional reminder. :eyebrow:

From: http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=2248

Strattera / OTC Cold meds Interaction

There is a dangerous interaction between Strattera and cold medications that contains decongestants (over the counter or prescribed).

The result can be very high blood pressure, nose bleeds, dizziness and may potentially lead to other more serious symptoms.

I have verified the cause of the reaction with 2 local pharmacists, and can personally vouch for the really unpleasant experience. I later found out that this occurred to a psychologist friend of mine as well.

My layman's advice is, if you need to take cold meds, stop taking the Strattera during that time.

If you're uncertain if this pertains to you or the medication you're taking, please contact your personal physician or pharmacist.Thanks for posting this Andrew. It might explain why I've been feeling kind of funky lately.

The post is from 2003, so I would need to do some checking to see if it is still is an issue or if straterra has gone through some changes. Thanks for asking.

http://www.additudemag.com/medical.asp?DEPT_NO=504&SUB_NO=34 Date of article not on page.

Nothing indicated at straterra.com
http://www.strattera.com/hcp/strattera_safety_information.jsp

Check with your doctor:
http://www.strattera.com/1_2_taking_strattera/1_2_5_1_taking_other.jsp

That's all I found.

Here is some additional information I located.


From --> http://www.ijmt.net/ijmt/7_1/7_1_6.html

The Pharmacology and Toxicology of Atomoxetine (Strattera)

Although no warning or contraindication is listed with respect to other sympathomimetics, there is potential for a serious interaction if atomoxetine when combined with other drugs that increase synaptic NE (Norepinephrine) concentrations (e.g., TCAs, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), cocaine, amphetamines, phenylpropanolamine, pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, dopamine).Pseudoephedrine = Sudafed

I don't think the majority of people taking Strattera have even a clue that cold medication's containing pseudoephedrine can interact with the Strattera they are taking.

However, now that I think about it, even if this isn't made into a sticky note I'm now satisfied! Just by me posting this solves my main concern that the "Closed" original post by Andrew was buried to deep within the forums and would not likely be noticed by others simply because it was closed and nobody could reply to it. So, I pretty much solved that concern of mine didn't I? LOL :D

Thanks for replying anyway Eyeforgot! :)

I think the more interesting thing is that the quote also mentions toxic effects when mixing atomoxetine with amphetamines (e.g. Strattera + Adderall). And yet, it seems somewhat common for people to take Strattera together with stimulants.

What's the deal with that?

Hi Jerry83

Yeah, from what I understand they should prescribe much lower doses of each medication when Strattera is used with a Stimulant.

They would also have to be careful with the Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), such as Wellbutrin from the way it looks.

Now see Seek, the reason you caught that is because you know what all those long words are. Whereas when I read it it says "no warning blah blah blah syrious interactions something something something".

Thanks for sharing this. I had no idea a simple snot-reducer could cause any trouble because I've got something else balancing my brain. :D (in simple terms)

Sincerely, Thank you. And stickied.

Thank you Eyeforgot!

I'm sure most Strattera users will appreciate it.

I informed my psychiatrist that I was taking mirtazapine, which is an NaSSA (noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant), but she went ahead and prescribed Strattera anyway, at what seems the standard dosage for the UK (40mg, then 80mg).

Here is some additional information I located.

Pseudoephedrine = Sudafed

I don't think the majority of people taking Strattera have even a clue that cold medication's containing pseudoephedrine can interact with the Strattera they are taking.

However, now that I think about it, even if this isn't made into a sticky note I'm now satisfied! Just by me posting this solves my main concern that the "Closed" original post by Andrew was buried to deep within the forums and would not likely be noticed by others simply because it was closed and nobody could reply to it. So, I pretty much solved that concern of mine didn't I? LOL :D

Thanks for replying anyway Eyeforgot! :)

I'm apparently allergic to everything so I take psuedoephedrine. My psychiatrist told me that there isn't necessarily any problem with mixing it with ADD meds, but I have to keep my blood pressure in constant check.