Strattera and side effects with exercise

[jwrlaw]

Hello everyone, I have been on Strattera for about 4 months now and I am an avid runner. Well, until I started Strattera.... I have horrible sneezing fits and a runny nose for about 24 hours after a run. I have went to doctors and allergist physicians and they have no idea what it might be. They have prescribed me nasocort and I tried that and vomited during my run. :bowl:

I have been doing my own research and I have found that rhinitis (runny and itching nose) is a possible side effect with the drug. I am curious whether anyone else has had this problem, particularly after strenuous exercise. I have never had this problem before I started on Strattera, so I am assuming there is some correlation. I have discontinued the medication about two days ago and I am ready to try and run again.

The rhinitis is really debilitating!!! Thanks for any response!!

[jwrlaw]

Hey, what do you know? I had my first good run yesterday since I got on Strattera! I quit taking it four days ago. I'm done with that stuff, even though I notice I am a little more slow to go than usual in the mornings.

Over the span of the last four months I have lost nearly 20 pounds being on it, but I miss exercising!!! I am 6'2" and now 200 lbs.

Strattera effects everyone in different ways and this side effect was ruining my life.

[biker]

Welcome to the forums jwr. I was on Strattera too. It did not affect my exercise, but it really did a job on my plumbing. I switched to Adderall XR and that worked well for me. I am not suggesting that is an answer for you. Glad you are feeling good and able to run again and feel good. Again welcome to the forums.
Jim

[runner]

As an avid runner, I found that excessive sweating, which can lead to dehydration, a big problem when taking any ADD or anti-depressant medication.

If your run alot, you know that dehydration, which can lead to heat exhaustion, is the number one enemy of all runners, especially in hot (70 degree+) & humid weather.


It's so bad, I wonder why a warning isn't put on all these meds:
"WARNING-
MEDICATION MAY CAUSE EXCESSIVE PERSPIRATION & FLUID LOSS, LEADING TO DEHYDRATION.
INSURE ADEQUATE FLUID INTAKE WHEN WORKING OR EXERCISING IN HOT/HUMID WEATHER CONDITIONS"

One would thing that the pham. company attorneys, so concerned with law suits, would have made a warning like this routine.

[jwrlaw]

Thanks for the welcome Jim!

Hey runner- I noticed that I also got dehydrated much quicker than usual on Strattera also. Getting those goosebumps and feeling like it is 40 degrees out on an 80 degree day. It wasn't fun. Maybe my body was reacting to my heat exhaustion with the really bad sinus fits, but anywho, I asked my doctor about this about three months ago and he didn't know anything about excessive dehydration with the Strattera. I agree, something should have been warned because I felt like dying out there a couple of times.

I think I will just try to go without the meds until I learn something more definitive on this subject. I want to continue running, but I am not willing to die from heat stroke being on the meds.

[Gregster]

Dry mouth is definately one of Strattera side effects (21% vs 6% placebo). I would imagine that would include the mucus membranes in your nose, sinuses, eyes and throat. I'd guess that is what is causing the dehydrated feeling. I don't see rhinitis listed on the product information sheet but rhinorria is listed at 4% vs 3% placebo, which I'd guess is not a statistically significant a difference.
Usually the body adapts to the side effects of drugs and they should wane in 4 to 5 weeks - if you can wait that long.
Regards,
Greg