Best Time of Day to Take Strattera (Atomoxetine)
Strattera (atomoxetine) can be taken either as a single daily dose in the morning or as evenly divided doses in the morning and late afternoon/early evening, depending on tolerability and effectiveness. 1
Administration Options
- Atomoxetine can be administered as a single daily dose in the morning or split into two equal doses (morning and evening) 1, 2
- If needed, atomoxetine can also be administered in the evening only to help reduce daytime adverse effects 2
- The FDA-approved label indicates that atomoxetine can be taken "either as a single daily dose in the morning or as evenly divided doses in the morning and late afternoon/early evening" 1
- Unlike stimulants, atomoxetine provides "around-the-clock" effects rather than immediate onset and offset, making the timing somewhat less critical than with stimulant medications 2
Factors to Consider When Choosing Administration Time
- Side effect profile: If somnolence is a significant side effect, evening administration may be preferable 2
- Convenience: Once-daily dosing in the morning may be more convenient for many patients 3
- Tolerability: Splitting the dose into morning and evening administration may help reduce adverse effects 2
- Effectiveness: Clinical trials have shown that atomoxetine is effective when administered once daily in the morning 1
Clinical Evidence Supporting Different Administration Times
- In Study 1 from FDA clinical trials, atomoxetine was administered as a divided dose in the early morning and late afternoon/early evening with significant improvements in ADHD symptoms 1
- In Study 2, atomoxetine was administered as a single dose in the early morning and was also found to be effective 1
- In Studies 3 and 4, atomoxetine was administered as a divided dose in the early morning and late afternoon (after school) with significant improvements in ADHD symptoms 1
Practical Recommendations
- For patients experiencing daytime side effects: Consider evening-only dosing or split dosing 2
- For patients prioritizing convenience: Morning-only dosing is effective and convenient 1, 3
- For patients with sleep disturbances: If atomoxetine causes insomnia, morning dosing may be preferable; if it causes somnolence, evening dosing may be better 2
- For optimal effectiveness: Be aware that treatment effects are not usually observed until several weeks (6-12 weeks) after initiation of treatment 2
Important Considerations
- Atomoxetine can be taken with or without food 1
- Capsules should be taken whole and are not intended to be opened 1
- Unlike stimulants, atomoxetine is not associated with abuse potential and is not a controlled substance 3, 4
- The therapeutic effects of atomoxetine persist throughout the day and into the next morning with a single morning dose 5
Remember that atomoxetine works differently from stimulant medications, with a gradual onset of action over weeks rather than hours, so the timing of doses is less critical for immediate symptom control but may be important for managing side effects 2, 3.