ADHD Drug Comparisons
Light
Evidence Based Comparison
Adderall (amphetamines) vs Strattera (atomoxetine): Side Effects and Tolerability
Published: September 25, 2024
Summary
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Heart risks with Adderall and Strattera
Adderall can lead to severe cardiovascular events, while Strattera may cause moderate increases in heart rate and blood pressure.
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Mental health risks with Adderall and Strattera
Adderall may induce psychotic symptoms, while Strattera has a risk of suicidal thoughts, especially in younger patients.
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Impact on children's growth with Adderall and Strattera
Adderall and Strattera may slow children's growth, with Adderall primarily affecting appetite and Strattera requiring careful monitoring.
Comparison
Cardiovascular Risks: Adderall vs Strattera
Adderall and Strattera both pose cardiovascular risks, but they vary in severity. Adderall is associated with severe events such as sudden death and stroke, while Strattera can cause moderate increases in heart rate and blood pressure, especially in patients with pre-existing conditions.
Adderall
"Sudden deaths, stroke, and myocardial infarction have been reported in adults taking stimulant drugs at usual doses for ADHD."
FDA Drug Label Strattera (atomoxetine)Strattera
"STRATTERA should be used with caution in patients with hypertension, tachycardia, or cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease because it can increase blood pressure and heart rate."
FDA Drug Label Strattera (atomoxetine)
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Heart risks with Adderall and Strattera
Adderall can cause severe cardiovascular events like sudden death and stroke.
Strattera can moderately increase heart rate and blood pressure.
Comparison
Growth Suppression in Children: Adderall vs Strattera
Both Adderall and Strattera can affect children's growth. Adderall primarily causes growth suppression through appetite suppression, while Strattera may slow down growth, requiring careful monitoring during treatment.
Adderall
"Dextroamphetamine and amphetamine may slow children's growth or weight gain. Your child's doctor will watch his or her growth carefully."
MedlinePlus: AtomoxetineStrattera
"Atomoxetine may slow down children's growth or weight gain. Your child's doctor will probably monitor your child carefully during his or her treatment with atomoxetine."
MedlinePlus: Atomoxetine
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Impact on children's growth with Adderall and Strattera
Adderall often leads to growth suppression due to appetite suppression.
Strattera may also slow growth in children, requiring monitoring.
Comparison
Psychiatric Effects: Adderall vs Strattera
Adderall and Strattera have potential psychiatric side effects. Adderall may induce psychotic or manic symptoms even at normal doses, while Strattera carries a risk of suicidal ideation, particularly in younger patients.
Adderall
"Treatment emergent psychotic or manic symptoms, e.g., hallucinations, delusional thinking, or mania in children and adolescents without prior history of psychotic illness or mania can be caused by stimulants at usual doses."
FDA Drug Label Strattera (atomoxetine)Strattera
"STRATTERA increased the risk of suicidal ideation in short-term studies in children and adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)."
FDA Drug Label Strattera (atomoxetine)
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Mental health risks with Adderall and Strattera
Adderall can cause psychotic or manic symptoms, even at recommended doses.
Strattera carries a risk of suicidal ideation, especially in younger patients.
Comparison
Appetite and Weight Loss: Adderall vs Strattera
Both Adderall and Strattera can suppress appetite and lead to weight loss. Adderall's impact on appetite is stronger and often leads to significant weight loss, while Strattera also reduces appetite, contributing to weight loss but in a slightly different clinical context.
Strattera
"Atomoxetine may cause decreased appetite, leading to weight loss."
MedlinePlus: Atomoxetine
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Appetite and weight loss effects of Adderall and Strattera
Adderall frequently causes appetite suppression, resulting in significant weight loss.
Strattera can also suppress appetite, leading to weight loss.
Peer Reviewed Study
Study: Comparing Side Effects and Efficacy: Adderall XR vs. Strattera in ADHD
A study compared Adderall XR and Strattera in children with ADHD, focusing on changes in behavior over time. The results showed that Adderall XR was more effective in improving behavioral scores, with greater changes observed overall and at each week. The side effects were similar between the two medications, providing a direct comparison of their tolerability.
This information is key to understanding the relative efficacy and side effects of these treatments in children with ADHD.
This information is key to understanding the relative efficacy and side effects of these treatments in children with ADHD.
Adderall
Adderall XR showed greater improvement in behavior with similar side effects.
Strattera
Strattera had less behavioral improvement but similar side effects.
Peer Reviewed Study
Study: Comparing Side Effects and Tolerability: Adderall vs Strattera
This study compares various ADHD medications, including Adderall (amphetamines) and Strattera (atomoxetine), in terms of side effects and how well patients can tolerate them. Adderall was found to have more side effects compared to placebo in both children and adults. Strattera also had more side effects compared to placebo, but only in adults.
The study provides insights into how these medications compare when it comes to their impact on side effects and patient tolerability.
The study provides insights into how these medications compare when it comes to their impact on side effects and patient tolerability.
Adderall
Adderall has more side effects than placebo in both children and adults.
Strattera
Strattera has more side effects than placebo in adults only.
Peer Reviewed Study
Study: Cardiac Event Risk in Youth Using Stimulants for ADHD
This study examines the risk of cardiac events in children and adolescents using methylphenidate and amphetamine salts, including Adderall. It used data from over 2 million young individuals in Florida’s Medicaid program. The results showed that the risk of emergency department visits for cardiac issues was similar among those currently using either methylphenidate or amphetamine salts.
The study concluded that both medications had a comparable risk of cardiac events, with no significant difference between current and former users of these stimulants.
The study concluded that both medications had a comparable risk of cardiac events, with no significant difference between current and former users of these stimulants.
Adderall
Adderall was found to have a similar cardiac risk to methylphenidate.