My 9 Year old has Adhd and on autism Spectrum.

[laddu2012]

We are giving her Adhd medication strattera 10mg, I think its causing her to scream a lot and depression, her doctor is insisting to increase the dosage to 20mg. I think it will cause her more depression and anxiety. I dont know whether to increase her dosage or change the pill all together.

[Hidden]

Strattera (Atomoxetine) should be given at 1.2mg per 1kg of body weight so definitely 10mg is not a ‘therapeutic dose’ but doctors start it slowly to slowly make body used to it as at first kids may have side effects- tummy ache,nausea, extreme sedation. My son never had any of the side effects but his class mate initially was very sedated on it- for about 6 weeks and then body got used to it.

Have you got a clear record that before she started taking it she had good mood- no depression. And then she started Strattera and her mood started to dip?- do you have a daily/weekly diary of observations? Is she saying that she wants to end her life? (That’s the question my son was asked on the last medication review- because this medication may cause suicidal ideation, however reassuring fact is that it’s been used for ADHD in children like 20+ years and there is no case of any child actually acting on such ‘ideation’.

How long has she been on 10mg Strattera? I know this medication only starts working after about 6 weeks (it slowly builds up levels). It is not a medication that works immediately. However did you see a definite mood change since she started this medication then if say- you know your child best. You still have a few more non stimulants to try- Guanfacine which supposedly is very good for anxiety and Qelbree which also supposedly helps not only with ADHD but also with mood. But like any of these meds- you can in the list of side effects that they can help with symptoms or if you are one of the people who has side effects- then it can cause the complete opposite rather than help.

[anirush]

Some doctors always want to increase the medication that is already causing problems. In my experience that sometimes makes things worse. My grandson has been on Strattera for years but is also on Guanfacine and Risperidone due to sever anger issues. Good luck finding meds that work.