increased appetite on Strattera

[mom3x]

I have an 8 yr old son who has been on Strattera since April. It seems to be working great for him but he is constantly eating! I know he is a growing boy and he has always had a good appetite, it just seems out of control lately. It normally wouldnt bother me but he's even getting a little "fluffy" in the middle. Has anyone out there had a side effect of increased appetite with Strattera? Thanks (I'm new - I hope I posted this in the right place)

[Garry]

First and formost mom3x

Welcome to ADDforums
and yes you posted it correctly

I myself cant help you on that one but there are lots of others here who might be able to

[joanrdtobe]

I was on this med for about a month Mom3x and although had many many side effects which had me realize this drug was not for me -- increased appetite and weight gain was not one of them...and I bave not heard of this side effect from others as of yet or of increased appetite being as touted as a side effect...ususally increased carbohydrate cravings are associated with increased appetite with these types of medications....and are ususally seen more with the antidepressants....or drugs used to treat bipolar disorder...Is your son on any other meds...? Yet on the other hand, Strattera is still a pretty new medication -- and all the side effects are still not known....one thing you may want to do is get him involved with as much physical activity as possible....it will help with weight management and with his ADD as well....

[mom3x]

Thanks Garry and Joan - He is actually very active. He's not on any other meds. Maybe he is just going thru a growing spurt. Sometimes they pudge out a little just before they get taller. I appreciate your input.

[joanrdtobe]

Hey you know what mom3x? What you just said just made my think of something....how tall are you and his father? If you two are tall....your son may actually grow to be tall as well...and thin....you never know....

[hopeful]

I agree Mom3x. I have 2 sons and they have both "pudged" out before growth spurts. They are now both 6'2 and thin at 14 and 17 years old. We found some pictures of the youngest last week during one of those times and laughed because the year after that he had grown several inches and his weight stayed the same. Sounds normal to me, we've been through it several times.

[ADDrastic]

Hate to throw a monkey in the wrench, but I am 37 years old, 6 foot 5 and weigh 145.

I hope to god this stuff gives me some weight gain...I'm skinny as a rail and have always HATED it!

[Christiana]

I read, and was told by my doctor that strattera is more associated with DEcreased appitite... And since I've been on it, I think I'd definately agree. (not good for me since I'm a little underweight too)

[adhdauntie]

Mom3x - I am the concerned aunt of a 10 year old on Strattera. Like your son, he eats constantly and is getting a little pudgy. I understand this could just be preparation for a growth spurt, but this child has never eaten like this before! His mother told me that he needed to eat pretty regularly, but this is crazy. He is hungry every thirty minutes, and not just for a snack. We're talking meals! His mom doesn't seem to be concerned about it, and maybe I shouldn't be either. Does anyone else know about INcreased appetite?

[MTMT]

I'm an adult on my second week of Strattera and I gained weight last week, so I think the Strattera may be responsible for your child's increased appetite. I found that for the first two days on the drug, my appetite was decreased, but after that I started craving sweets and started pigging out on doughnuts (which I normally do not eat), triggering my weight gain. Strattera targets norepipherine. I have read that if more norepipherine starts circulating in your brain, it may decrease the amount of serotonin, another neurotransmitter. And I have also read that if your serotonin levels are low, you start craving carbohydrates. Perhaps only certain people are sensitive to this effect of Strattera, since most people tend to report decreased appetite. I'm not giving up on Strattera yet, but am very consciously trying to control my appetite on it. Obviously, this kind of "will" is much easier for an adult than for a child. My advice is to try to give your kid more protein and try to keep him away from carbohydrates, since I have always found it easier to control my appetite on a relatively high protein diet.

[BananaSlip]

Interesting, I lost 5 pounds within a few weeks when I first started!