Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD for short is a mental illness common among the children but without the exemption for adults. This illness characterizes an individual to be inattentive and lacks controlling impulses which affect his or her daily activities.

With this said, treatments and medications are available, and one of the many medicines of ADHD is Straterra, which can be found at local pharmacies and is available with a Strattera coupon in an attempt to help financially.

Strattera is one of the common medications, and so is Adderall.  Both are prescribed to treat ADHD in regulating the patient’s attention, decreases hyperactivity and impulsiveness. However, they are very different from one another, and the most striking difference is that the Strattera is a non-stimulant, whereas Adderall is a psychostimulant. Learn more as we discuss the further distinction between both drugs below.

 

Strattera

Strattera is the drug’s brand name which contains atomoxetine. It is thought to work by restoring the individual’s balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. It was first approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration in 2002 and became the first non-stimulant medication to receive approval for ADHD.

Moreover, Strattera is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, meaning that it allows the neurotransmitter norepinephrine to be accessible to the brain’s neurons for a longer duration. This substance also raises the quantity of the dopamine, which is a chemical in your mind that affects an individual’s emotions, movements, and sensations of pleasure and pain.

 

Adderall

Adderall is the drug’s brand name for a combination drug dextroamphetamine/amphetamine. This medication belongs to the amphetamine family which are stimulant drugs that speed up the messages traveling between the brain and the body.

The FDA approved this drug in 1996 wherein it also was added as a medication for people that have narcolepsy. This drug can be prescribed to those who are ages 6 and up in which Adderall acts by boosting the number of neurotransmitters in the brain.

This also increases the dopamine and norepinephrine, which boosts an individual’s ability to focus and pay attention while decreasing the moments of hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.

 

Patient’s Treatment Choices

ADHD medication’s divided into two categories wherein there are first-line and second-line medications. The stimulants like Adderall are all well-known to be the most effective treatment for ADHD and are considered as the first-line medication.

On the other hand, non-stimulant medications like Strattera are considered as second-line medications wherein it is found as not as effective as the stimulants do. However, they significantly help in the symptoms of ADHD. For instance, studies have found that Strattera reduced the patients’ hyperactive, inattentive symptoms.

Also, although stimulants are the most effective drug for ADHD, unfortunately, it does not work for everyone. Moreover, stimulants can also make patients experience severe side effects or develop underlying medical conditions which can be increased when taking a stimulant, such as psychiatric conditions like depression, or heart conditions.

Now, this is where the non-stimulant enters the scenario. In cases like these, a non-stimulant medication like Strattera is a great option. Additionally, Strattera has also been found that is can be of help with conditions that often co-exist with ADHD such as anxiety and oppositional defiant behavior like a pattern of disobedience, aggression, and lack of respect.

 

Strattera vs. Adderall: Forms, Doses, and Efficacy

Strattera is available in the form of an oral capsule that comes in seven doses which ranges from 10 to 100 mg. On the other hand, Adderall IR (immediate release) is available in tablets which are from 5 to 30 mg, for Adderall XR (extended release) it is available in six doses from 5 to 30 mg.

For efficacy, there are available generic medications, but sometimes people report that these aren’t as effective as the brand versions. On the other hand, Strattera reaches its maximum effect after four to six weeks. For Adderall IR and XR can be felt as quickly as 30 minutes to one hour, but begins to wear off after four hours, and after 12 hours for the Adderall XR.

 

Takeaway

ADHD or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder cause is not yet known, but recent research suggests that interactions between genes and environmental factors may cause it. Like any other illnesses, several factors contribute to ADHD, such as genes, exposure to environmental toxins, and use of other harmful substances.

Although the cause of ADHD is still unknown, the discussed medications above can be of help to you or your loved one that is suffering from ADHD. What you only both need is to be guided by a healthcare provider. Also, for those people that are the caretakers, be sure to also take good care of yourself since you are also an individual that has their own needs too.