My doctor wants to start me on Strattera, but wants me to do my research first to educate myself, many of the websites list weight loss as a side effect, I'm pretty petite to start with, should I be worried that I'll end up looking like I'm anorexic?

No you shouldn't be worried.

If you start the med and find you're losing a lot of weight, then you'll return to the doc and switch meds. It's quite simple. You won't lose 30 pounds overnight--if that's your worry.

The problem is all medicines have potential side effects, including tylenol, aspirin, cough medicine and even "natural" medicines. But you don't avoid a medicine that is needed because it MIGHT have a quirky side effect. There is no way to tell ahead of time if YOU will have this side effect.

So you can do what we all do: we start on a medication and then we monitor how we're doing. If we're not doing well, we tell the doctor and he'll make a change. You can start it and chill ....

Have you suffered anorexia in the past? ... If that is the case, then my answer is different. In that case, you want to tell someone to help you monitor things. You need to first tell the doctor about your history. And you want some kind of support and monitoring system (friends and/or family and/or the doctor) in place if you have had anorexia in the past or present. You don't want to do this alone--if you have had that problem.

I've never suffered with an eating problem, but I've heard Strattera can make you lose weight.....and when I lose too much weight I look like a sick person so I don't want that to happen

Thanks for your comment...I will talk to my doctor if it becomes a problem.

How much time/weeks/months should I give Strattera to see if it works for me?

I've never suffered with an eating problem, but I've heard Strattera can make you lose weight.....and when I lose too much weight I look like a sick person so I don't want that to happen

Thanks for your comment...I will talk to my doctor if it becomes a problem.

How much time/weeks/months should I give Strattera to see if it works for me?

Hi AD,

Please keep me updated on what happens. I am also very petite (so petite that I cannot even afford to lose more than 2 pounds). A very helpful member told me that her son is on this medication and he has not lost any weight. So, now I am very curious about this medication. I would try it myself, however, I won't be starting my internship for another month and half. Therefore (for the time being) it is unnecessary for me to be on any medications. That is why, for now, I am trying to do as much research about Strattera as possible.

I've been on Strattera for 5 weeks and have not lost any weight. Of course, it's not help with my ADHD symptoms either.

I eat more now that I'm Strattera vs. the Methylphenidate family that I've been on (Focalin, Daytrana, and Concerta). I also take mine about 2 hours before bed after a big snack.

Hope that helps.

Edit: I've also last about 10lbs since being on ADHD drugs due to the fact that I'm drinking coffee loaded with sugar and half&half, redbull, and others. So that might be something to think if you consume a lot of caffeine like I did before getting on these drugs.

Strattera won't effect your appetite. :)

Strattera won't effect your appetite. :)

I'm on day six and don't agree with you. My appetite has decreased a lot. I find myself eating one meal a day.

I'm on day six and don't agree with you. My appetite has decreased a lot. I find myself eating one meal a day.

You are not alone, I disagree with playhero also. One of the things I thought I would like about Strattera was that it wouldn't affect my appetite, but I was wrong... I had NO appetite at all while on Strattera, I seriously had to force myself to eat anything (took it for 2 months).

Switched to Concerta almost 2 weeks ago and my appetite is so much better. I still don't think it is on par with what it was before meds, but at least I don't have to force myself to eat on the methylphenidate, I just don't get as hungry as I used to (For me it's actually good, I don't snack on junk food as much, I could easily lose 20 lbs and still be fine).

I would try it myself, however, I won't be starting my internship for another month and half. Therefore (for the time being) it is unnecessary for me to be on any medications. That is why, for now, I am trying to do as much research about Strattera as possible.While everyone is different, you might want to start the Strattera just to see how it affects you. It takes a long time to build up, 2-3 weeks at least, I've heard up to 2 months. Most people (at least that I've seen on this board) have side effects when they first start Strattera, mine were pretty bad at first but after 2 or 3 weeks they were manageable, so that is something else to consider.

If it were me I would start at least 2 weeks before the internship to see if it is effective, I wouldn't want to start taking something that serioiusly affects your brain chemistry at the same time as I was starting a new job or an internship (this goes for a stimulant too, but you will know a lot sooner if the stimulant works).