Strattera side effects?

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anyone else take Strattera? My Dr. gave me a sample today to try. Is there any horrible side effects?

I know there's a book called The Physician's Desk Reference. There may be an online version.
Also, talk to your Pharmacist. They're paid to know about this (contraindications is what I think it's called

I haven't personally taken Strattera, but my son took it once for ADHD issues. It didn't work for him. He sat on the couch and cried because it made him feel depressed. We never had him take it again. Just be careful and monitor mood if it's taken. Many people praise it, but I also know of some who do not like it. As far as my autistic issues, I just receive therapy---but no medicine.

Whoa! Your Dr. didn't give you a rundown on this? Hrmm, OK.

First, on the web this is the forum you want to check out: http://www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=91 Lots of folks that will talk about what it was like for them and so on.

Common symptoms are:
Dry mouth (AKA cottonmouth)
Vivid dreams
Sexual Dysfunction (difficulty reaching climax, painful climax for (the second is for guys only I think, not sure) )
Having to concentrate to let your bladder go to urinate (this is as weird to experience as it sounds )

These usually go away within a few weeks as your body adjusts. There are others though. Pakled is right, you can get this from a pharmacist. But here's the FDA site covering the basics and here's the sheet the pharmacist would give you or give a translation of. Still shaking my head the Dr. wouldn't talk to you about this? Or are you worried they left something out?

You can feel somewhat euphoric at the start. A bit like a really mind stimulant buzz. Again an initial phase that goes away within weeks. One side effect, that's more a positive, that I don't think is on the official list but some (like myself) experience is that if you have problems breathing through your nose before this can clear up. Not only that but my jaw automatically clenched up a little by itself. So I actually have a less dry mouth, especially waking in the morning, than I did before. This has actually stayed with me, it's sort of a bonus.

One important thing on there is that if you are younger than 20 there is a relatively rare one (<1%) that start thinking about dying and/or suicide. If this happens call your Dr. emergency number. They'll likely tell you to stop right away. I'm not talking passing thoughts or such, these are really serious thoughts.

These are "side effects". Contraindicators are reasons not to start all because it represents a high risk or flat out deadly complications, such as heart or liver problems (I think) or dangerous drug interactions like you are taking MOA inhibitors (you can take next to nothing with those, that's just an example).

What it's suppose to feel like eventually (or really soon if you are lucky) is you get to make a choice before you act on impulse, a moment you never had access to conscious decision making in before. The other stuff, not being so go-go-go is more likely to be first noticed by people around you rather than yourself. If this works for you (and it doesn't for everyone) definitely get some coaching to go along with it because it just opens the door, you still have to know how to make the decision to step through. It doesn't tell you how to act (if it did you'd be taking to much).

P.S. If you find yourself being really angry [for no apparent reason] all the time or totally freaked out your dose is too high (or the side effects are going to be too much, get hold of your Dr). This is not something that is pleasant to take over your dose, it has little use as a "recreational" drug. Shouldn't happen on the initial dose though, they are suppose to start you out really low the first week. And it takes a while to build up in your system. You might not see effects at all for days.

EDIT: Almost forgot, if the Dr didn't mention, it is VERY IMPORTANT to take this on a regular basis. It builds up to the proper level in your system over time. Then you continue with the maintenance of it by taking it regularly. It doesn't work well at all if you skip days ... and DO NOT take a double dose because you forgot to take it the day before. The amount in your system will spike and you'll get an anxiety/anger overload. Not pleasant at all.

I took it for about two weeks. At first it gave me cottonmouth and I was angry and irritable, and with no appetite [which was nice] but aside from that nothing. I know it's supposed to take a while but still, I do not have ADHD. Doctors are stupid. Adderall worked much better (and immediately) for me.