Strattera Linked to Liver
Damage
Strattera, the first non-stimulant ADHD medication, has been
linked to liver damage, the FDA warns.
The FDA is advising health care professionals about a new warning
for Strattera. The labeling warns that severe liver damage may
progress to liver failure resulting in death or the need for a
liver transplant in a small percentage of patients taking
Strattera. The labeling also notes that the number of actual cases
of severe liver damage is unknown because of under-reporting of
post-marketing adverse events.
The Strattera labeling is being updated with a bolded warning
about the potential for severe liver damage following reports in
patients who had been treated with Strattera for several months.
The bolded warning indicates that Strattera should be discontinued
in patients who developed jaundice (yellowing of the skin or
whites of the eyes) or laboratory evidence of liver damage.
Signs and symptoms of liver damage include:
_ Itchy skin
_ Jaundice
_ Dark urine
_ Abdominal tenderness on the upper right side
_ Unexplained “flu-like” symptoms
Patiens should contact your health care provider immediately if
you experience any of these liver damage symptoms, or other side
effects, while taking Strattera.
Liver damage did not emerge as a Strattera side effect during
short-term Strattera clinical trials of 6,000 patients. However,
Straterra has now been on the market for two years, with 2 million
patients having used Straterra. The longer time and larger pool of
people taking the drug allowed this Strattera liver damage side
effect to present itself.
Although Strattera is a non-stimulant ADHD medication, it still
poses many side effects consistent with the side effects of other
ADHD medications - and a few new ones that adults might find less
than pleasant.
Common Strattera side effects include (but are not limited to):
_ Problems sleeping/Insomnia
_ Dry mouth
_ Decreased appetite
_ Weight loss
_ Upset stomach
_ Constipation
_ Nausea and/or vomiting
_ Dizziness
_ Tiredness
_ Mood swings
_ Ear infection
_ Influenza
_ Irritability
Sexual side effects (in adults studied):
_ Decreased libido
_ Ejaculatory problems
_ Impotence
_ Urination problems
_ Painful menstrual periods
Most
ADHD medications have about a 70 percent level of effectiveness, as does
Attend, a non-drug nutriceutical supplement for the treatment of Attention
Deficit Disorder symptoms. Attend is a highly effective
alternative to conventional ADHD drug medication. Click
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healthy alternative to ADHD medications.
Related Articles:
Straterra - The promising new ADHD medication?
Strattera
Benefits/Disadvantages.
Adderall vs Strattera.
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