Strattera And Omega 3 For Adhd

Although stimulant medications are often prescribed for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, other treatment options may also help. Taking a nonstimulant medication called Strattera or taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements may be appropriate for some. If you have ADHD and are exploring treatment options, discuss these with your doctor to see whether either would be helpful.

Strattera

Strattera, a brand name for atomoxetine, is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treatment of ADHD. It works by boosting norepinephrine levels in the brain. Because of this, the medication also has antidepressant properties, and may boost mood and promote relaxation. This may make it a good choice for people who have ADHD along with depression or anxiety. Although the medication may prove beneficial, it also may produce undesirable or dangerous side effects. Common side effects of Strattera include dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, sleepiness, agitation and irritability. It also may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviors, especially in people younger than 24. It is essential that family members or friends carefully monitor the behavior of those taking Strattera and report any unusual behavior to a mental health professional immediately.

Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in growth, development and brain function. Since the body cannot make these fatty acids itself, people must get them through food or supplements. Although having low levels of omega-3 fatty acids may contribute to learning and behavior problems, research at time of publication is conflicting about the effectiveness of using omega-3 fatty acids to treat ADHD. While its effectiveness is unknown, you may consider eating foods high in omega-3 fatty acids to see if you notice a difference in your ADHD symptoms. If you would rather take supplements, talk to your doctor to determine a dosage that would be appropriate for your situation. Potential side effects include bloating, gas, belching and diarrhea.

Interactions

At the time of publication, scientific evidence regarding the use of taking Strattera with an omega-3 supplement is lacking. If you are interested in taking the two at the same time, talk to your doctor for advice. Taking an omega-3 supplement with Strattera is unlikely to cause any negative interactions, according to the Drugs.com Interaction Checker. However, just because an interaction is unlikely does not mean an interaction won't occur. It is also important to note that although omega-3 supplements and Strattera do not usually interact with each other, they may interact negatively with other medications. Omega-3 supplements has been known to interact negatively with anisindion, warfarin and dicumarol. Strattera has been known have several major drug interactions, including interacting negatively with leflunomide, selegiline, furazolidone, isocarboxazid, procarbazine, phenelzine, tranylcypromise and linezolid. It also has 271 known moderate drug interactions and 77 minor known drug interactions, according to Drugs.com. Because of this, it is crucial that you report all of your current supplements and medications to a doctor or pharmacist before taking Strattera or omega-3 supplements.

Considerations

Although medication and supplements may be useful or necessary to treat some cases of ADHD, other treatments may also prove beneficial. Behavioral therapy, counseling, eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of sleep and regular exercise may help reduce or eliminate some symptoms of ADHD for some patients. Stimulant medications, such as Ritalin or Adderall, may also be more appropriate than Strattera for some people. Explore options with your doctor so you can make an educated decision about which treatment would be most helpful.