My 8 year old son had been on Ritalin for nearly a year. Although it seemed to be effective, I was not happy with some the side effects (loss of app. and sleeplessness). I researched Strattera and felt it might be the right meds for him.

He is currently getting his meds from the peditrician but I always felt that a child psych. would be the best person to perscribe and follow ADD meds.

Anyway, it has been three months of me trying to get into the psychiatrist, completing forms, etc. So I finally gave up and called the peditrician and asked for Straterra. They called it into the pharmacy, 40mg. After reading a few of the threads on this site, I am concerned that starting him on 40mg. might have been too much. He has had a few side effects but each seems to be lasting only a day or two.

He has been on Straterra for a week and a half now and I can say that I am seeing some improvement in depression. He seems much more confident and relaxed.

Should I leave well enough alone? Does anyone know if the side effects will continue? What should I look for to know if I need to consult his pedi. again?

sorry i don't have any experience with that medication, but if you're concerned call the Dr
good luck!!

Hi!
We just started my son on strattera last week... We have been on adderall for a few months and felt it was time for a change after some disturbing side effects. At current time we are on both meds. from what *our dr* said it can take up to 1 month for the strattera to get into his system. we started at 18mg/day for 4 days and are up to 25/day plus his reg. 10mg of the other. He is nearing 7yrs and is only 40lbs. also, I know that the strattera is dosed according to weight so that could account for the difference in dosages. So far, so good. just take it one day at a time and remember, No one knows your child like you do so watch for side effects and keep an open line of communication between dr (s). also remember, that if the info I got is accurate, and your child is not on the ritilin right now, the side effects could be a result of NOT being on that med anymore and that is why they are only lasting a couple of days. best wishes!

Very well said, drewsmom!

40mg might be a bit much to start, depending on his weight. Typically you start at a lower dose for a week or so and then go up, this makes for fewer side effects. If he's been on it a week and a half, by now his brain is used to it, so I'd leave it. Strattera will start to work within a few days to a week, and if it works you'd know by two weeks - usually. The Dr may ramp it up in dosage if the current one isn't helping enough. The Maximum effective dose is going to be around 1.2mg/kg/day - half his weight in pounds gives a rough estimate of this amount in mg (multiply lbs by .544 if you want to be exact) so a 100lb child will take a max of 54mg - sorry if that's confusing.
Strattera doesn't work in everyone, but when it does, it can work very well. Some people still continue to take stimulants even when they are on strattera, if the strattera doesn't help them with symptoms of inattention. Anicdotal evidence I've seen suggests Strattera is slightly better for hyperactivity and implulse control than it is for inattention - but I'm no Dr and it's more of an opinion than fact!
Regards,
Greg