Strattera, Concerta, or Adderall??

Hi, I'd like to switch my ADHD med from Adderall to something that will give me less anxiety. Does anyone have experience with Concerta or Strattera? I know that the latter is a non-stimulant med, so maybe this would be the best option?

Thanks!
Jessie

Strattera is working really well for my husband, but he has never tried the other two. He hasn't had any major negative side effects, although I've noticed that his sex drive is a bit lower than usual.

Try the concerta, my pdoc said "no" about strattera,cause it effects the liver,even some cases already pointing at strattera.
Concerta is a stimulant, but designed as time release so you really don't get that "speeding" feeling.
Best to talk to your pdoc about this and other options. I take concerta besides lamictal, all seems to work fine, the only anxiety that has been going on, is taking care of my sickly mom,who has dementia on top of it. Thats the anxiety for me, not the concerta in my case.
I wish you lots of luck in finding the one that works well for you, it's so important as we all know.

Roe

wait - WHAT???? Our pdoc didn't say ANYTHING about liver damage... oh no....

Honestly, I just relay what I have been told. Then again I live in a state where we are surrounded by pharmaceutical companies(hubby works for one)so many, most up to date reports are recieved by the medical centers in my area.
I trust my pdoc's word on this latest study, so I opted for Concerta. But I suggest this quandry is and should be taken up with one's pdoc., cause everyone is different and may not be affected the same way.
I wish everyone lots of luck with what your pdocs, prescribe and how it affects y'all.
Good wishes for luck,love and healing.
Rosanne

OMG - DE - you're right!!!!
strattera

I'm showing this to him right now -- he's going OFF it!

Too bad, though -- it was really helping him, but it's not worth his health

Don't worry, there are other ADD meds.,doc said even though most are ritiln based, ritilin has been around 30-40 yrs., in various formulations, and has not shown physical,serious problems like this and other new ADD non-stimulant meds.
I've been on Concerta, I guess since Oct. 2005, I'm not experiencing an negative things, it's designed to be time released, cannot be cut or snorted(by some abusers)if so it will be ineffective. It is a cylinder shape and inside it actually is layered to create the time release. Other forms of ritilin, my pdoc does not recommend for people with Bipolar, due to the sharp peaks and drops, fueling mania and then depression. Soooooooooooo, Concerta plus my Lamictal(mood stabilizer) is working together nicely.
Don't give up hope,talk it over with your doc. something good will come of it.
Take care now,
Roe

I talked to him last night -- he said "no way" to the idea of changing meds

I'd like him at least to talk to his doctor about it.

In a way, I suppose I should be a little grateful. There was a time when he was depressed that he wouldn't consider psych. meds if his life depended on them. In fact, his life DID depend on them.

Hopefully he'll at least talk to the doctor I don't want him to develop liver damage

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adeline said:

Hi, I'd like to switch my ADHD med from Adderall to something that will give me less anxiety. Does anyone have experience with Concerta or Strattera? I know that the latter is a non-stimulant med, so maybe this would be the best option?

Thanks!
Jessie

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HI Jessie!

In my experience - and from reading experiences of others - Adderall - especially the XR formulation - is the "smoothest" and produces less anxiety among the amphetamines. Concerta - which is just a new timed release forumlation of the active ingrediant in Ritalin (METHYLPHENIDATE) works differently than the amphetamines and is in it's own drug class. Concerta works by blocking reuptake of dopamine whereas amphetamines (Adderall &amp; Dexedrine) work by releasing stored norepinephrine &amp; dopamine in the presynaptic neuron. Anyway, it seems that Concerta has less sympathogenic effects, i.e.: effects on blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, etc., so one could assume that Concerta would produce less feelings of anxiety - especially the physical aspects.

Strattera started out being developed as an antidepressant - an SNRI (selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor) when the company changed it's mind and decided to market it for ADD/ADHD because they thought that it being non-stimulant/non-addictive potential that they'd make more money. However, since it's release, Strattera has shown to be a less than stellar medication - for ADD or depression. I've heard nothing but bad news from doctors and people who have taken it - saying it produces terrible side effects including anxiety, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, dry mouth, sexual side effects - among others. Now, this doesn't mean it doesn't work for some people.

--> Remember the Rx "Golden Rule": Everyone responds differently - so someone who doesn't have problems with anxeity on Adderall might with Concerta and visa versa.

But in general - I'd say that Concerta has the least chance of producing anxiety.

Hope this helps!!
Jerry :-)

I've been on Concerta (& Provigil) & several other drugs for my bipolar. I was given both the Concerta & Provigil to combat excessive daytime sleepiness (due to Abilify or Lamictal?). I've had good results from both & have been on them for about 3 years.

Lamictal, isn't sdeating, perhaps it was the other med, that made you tired?
I've been on Lamictal for about 3yrs or more for Bipolar-II,other than Lithium, all others were very sedating. I found Lithium and Lamictal non-sedating, allowing me to function,drive, and work. Switched to Lamictal cause though it's a mood stabilizer (anti-convulsive) it has anti-depressant qualities. I started with Concerta, too, last fall, this helps my ADD I also have, perfect combo I'm on now, Lamictal and Concerta.
I wish you luck with this.

Perhaps it is the Abilify that was sedating me, but with the Concerta & Provigil I'm able to function well & be energetic. I also take Lamictal for its anti-depressant effects for bipolar I. Been on this combination of meds for 3 years now & doing well...plus Xanax at night to sleep.

Xanax will give you sedative effects too. Lamictal,Concerta,Provigil, is not going to knock you out, it must be the others you mention.
As always, check with the prescribing physician, to be sure.

I'm so sorry that I've been away so long, thank you all very much for the helpful information! I'm still not on any meds (stopped Lamictal and Adderall XR 2 weeks ago) and my Dr. has recommended that we monitor for mood swings over the summer instead of making me get back on meds immediately.

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Darkeyes said:Try the concerta, my pdoc said "no" about strattera,cause it effects the liver,even some cases already pointing at strattera.
Concerta is a stimulant, but designed as time release so you really don't get that "speeding" feeling.
Best to talk to your pdoc about this and other options. I take concerta besides lamictal, all seems to work fine, the only anxiety that has been going on, is taking care of my sickly mom,who has dementia on top of it. Thats the anxiety for me, not the concerta in my case.
I wish you lots of luck in finding the one that works well for you, it's so important as we all know.

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This is really good for me to know since my grandma died from liver failure (induced by years of meds). I'll probably try Concerta instead of going back to Adderall, it's good to hear your experience with it and lamictal together. Thanks!!

To LMo, I'm really glad that Strattera is working for your husband, and I hope that he is one of the types of people who do not get the liver damage. Overall, I think that the pro's of your husband living a happy life with Strattera weigh strongly against the possible health affects. Of course, since I won't be relying on it to control my depressive symptoms, it's less important to me.

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Jerrypharmstudent said: HI Jessie!

In my experience - and from reading experiences of others - Adderall - especially the XR formulation - is the "smoothest" and produces less anxiety among the amphetamines. Concerta - which is just a new timed release forumlation of the active ingrediant in Ritalin (METHYLPHENIDATE) works differently than the amphetamines and is in it's own drug class. Concerta works by blocking reuptake of dopamine whereas amphetamines (Adderall & Dexedrine) work by releasing stored norepinephrine & dopamine in the presynaptic neuron. Anyway, it seems that Concerta has less sympathogenic effects, i.e.: effects on blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, etc., so one could assume that Concerta would produce less feelings of anxiety - especially the physical aspects.

Strattera started out being developed as an antidepressant - an SNRI (selective Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor) when the company changed it's mind and decided to market it for ADD/ADHD because they thought that it being non-stimulant/non-addictive potential that they'd make more money. However, since it's release, Strattera has shown to be a less than stellar medication - for ADD or depression. I've heard nothing but bad news from doctors and people who have taken it - saying it produces terrible side effects including anxiety, insomnia, irritability, mood swings, dry mouth, sexual side effects - among others. Now, this doesn't mean it doesn't work for some people.

--> Remember the Rx "Golden Rule": Everyone responds differently - so someone who doesn't have problems with anxeity on Adderall might with Concerta and visa versa.

But in general - I'd say that Concerta has the least chance of producing anxiety.

Hope this helps!!
Jerry :-).

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Thanks Jerry! This was quite helpful, and I've learned some new things about the meds! Again, I'll probably be asking my Dr. about Concerta, thanks to your and Darkeye's recommendations.

I'm really confused about what I need/want to put in my body at this point, since I feel like I've "recovered" from the worst of the bipolar I was diagnosed with about a year ago. I hate how the meds change my personality, and I feel like Adderall XR and Lamictal keep me mildly depressed. Anyway, I feel much more clear about my choice for ADHD treatment from this discussion, so thank you all so much for your input!

Jessie

my sons doc changed his meds from ritilin to concerta about 4yrs ago his health has been fine he is less wound up at night and he doesnt get quite so much paranoia recently like others have said its a time release med so son is on two tabs a day, he takes them just before his breakfast within an hour he is such a pleasant boy and the anxiety he was experincing while on ritilin has gone, he still doesnt eat a lot as with ritilin concerta supresses his appetite but he makes up for this when the med wears of in the evening, he also can take risperdol at night to help him sleep, like everyone else says each med efects ppl diferant but allways find out as much as you can about the med first