From the Guidelines
The starting dosage for Strattera (atomoxetine) for ADHD is typically 40 mg once daily for adults and children weighing more than 70 kg, and 0.5 mg/kg once daily for children and adolescents weighing less than 70 kg, as recommended by the most recent evidence 1.
Key Considerations
- The medication should be taken in the morning, with or without food.
- After 3 days at the initial dose, it can be increased to the target dose of 80 mg daily for adults or 1.2 mg/kg daily for children under 70 kg.
- The dose may be given as a single morning dose or divided into two equal doses, one in the morning and one in the late afternoon/early evening.
- The maximum recommended daily dose is 100 mg for adults or 1.4 mg/kg for children (not to exceed 100 mg).
Mechanism of Action and Efficacy
- Strattera works by inhibiting norepinephrine reuptake in the brain, which helps improve attention and reduce impulsivity and hyperactivity in people with ADHD.
- Unlike stimulant medications, Strattera works gradually, and full therapeutic effects may take 1-4 weeks to develop.
Common Side Effects
- Common side effects include decreased appetite, nausea, fatigue, and mood changes, which often improve with continued use.
- It is essential to monitor patients closely for suicidality, clinical worsening, and unusual changes of behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment or at times of dose change 1.
Titration and Dose Adjustment
- The dose of medication for ADHD should be titrated to achieve maximum benefit with tolerable side effects, as recommended by clinical practice guidelines 1.
- The optimal dose of medication is required to reduce core symptoms to, or close to, the levels of children without ADHD.
From the FDA Drug Label
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Initial, Target and Maximum Daily Dose (2. 1) Body Weight | Initial Daily Dose | Target Total Daily Dose | Maximum Daily Dose Children and adolescents up to 70 kg | 0.5 mg/kg | 1.2 mg/kg | 1.4 mg/kg Children and adolescents over 70 kg and adults | 40 mg | 80 mg | 100 mg
The starting dosage for Strattera (atomoxetine) in ADHD patients is as follows:
- For children and adolescents up to 70 kg: 0.5 mg/kg per day
- For children and adolescents over 70 kg and adults: 40 mg per day 2
From the Research
Strata Starting Dosage for ADHD
- The provided studies do not specifically mention the term "Strata" in the context of ADHD treatment dosage 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
- However, the studies discuss various medications and their dosages for ADHD treatment, including methylphenidate and atomoxetine 4, 5, 6.
- Methylphenidate is a commonly used medication for ADHD, and its dosage can vary depending on the individual patient's needs 4, 5, 6.
- The starting dosage for methylphenidate is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but it is mentioned that the dosage should be optimized for each patient 4.
- Atomoxetine is another medication used to treat ADHD, and its dosage is also not specified in the provided studies 5, 6.
- A clinician's guide to ADHD treatment options suggests that psychostimulant treatment, such as methylphenidate, is a first-line therapy for ADHD management, and various formulations are available to meet individual patient needs 7.