Strattera Weight Loss: Will this drug make you lose weight?

Strattera is a stimulant drug increasingly being used as a treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It is increasingly used as a over the counter substitute for Adderall due to its difference mechanism of action.

The active compound in the drug is Atomoxetine, while Strattera is a brand name (generic versions are available). It is no doubt growing in popularity because it is so different to the traditional ADHD medications like Adderall, Vyvanse, Ritalin, etc. Unlike the standard ADHD treatments, Strattera is primarily a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. This contrasts to Adderall which works by dramatically increasing norepinephrine release.

Because of the different mechanisms of action (which we’ll go over in more detail later), many people find that Strattera is highly effective at treating their ADHD when Adderall was not.

As well as being used for ADHD, Strattera is increasingly being used to promote weight loss.

Strattera is not currently prescribed for eating disorders like binge eating or compulsive eating, but a small yet significant number of people have been using it as a weight loss aid.

Does Strattera help with weight loss? Is it a safe way to lose body weight? Can Strattera help treat obesity? How does it compare to Vyvanse for weight loss. In this article, we look at the ways in which Strattera might help with weight loss and the potential dangers.

Strattera and Weight Loss: Does it work?

Strattera is not likely to cause weight loss when compared to stimulant-based drugs like Adderall or Vyvanse.

A drug like Adderall and Vyvanse almost guarantees that a person will lose weight. Strattera does not cause dopamine to be affected as much as amphetamines. This means that it will have less impact on normal eating and appetite. This drug can increase stimulation via the increased norepinephrine. This can result in a faster metabolism, more energy and weight loss.

How Strattera promotes weight loss

Strattera can cause weight loss in several ways, including appetite reduction, nausea relief, and a faster metabolism. You should also remember that stimulants can give you more energy to do physical activity, which can also lead to weight loss.

• Appetite Loss: This medication can cause nearly one-third of people to lose their appetite. Increased brain levels of norepinephrine can cause appetite loss. This can cause a person not to be as hungry or feel nauseated as usual. Individuals will experience a different degree of loss in appetite. This is likely why you are losing weight if you don’t feel as hungry after taking the drug.
• Cognitive enhancement – Strattera’s ability to enhance cognitive function suggests that Strattera could help people make better food choices and avoid unhealthy food. ADHD patients may be unable to think clearly and may choose to eat unhealthy foods or not pay attention to their diet. This drug can indirectly impact the way that a person plans their diet and exercises.
• Fight or flight response: This stimulating drug can cause the body to fight-or flee (sympathetic nervous systems) and may result in weight loss. The sympathetic nervous system can be triggered to reduce appetite and use up fat stores in the body. Many believe that this fight-or flight response promotes weight loss and reduces food cravings in the short-term.
• Increased energy – Strattera can be described as an “activating” drug in that it gives people more energy. This is why many people with low energy find Strattera helpful in treating their depression. This alone could lead to weight loss if you notice a significant increase in your energy levels after you have started the drug. You’re more likely than ever to get up and move around, so you can do more physical activity.
• Motivation booster: This medication can also increase motivation. This medication can increase your motivation and have an indirect effect on your health and fitness. Motivation can make it easier to care for your body and get in shape. Motivation is a key factor in deciding whether someone exercises or remains sedentary.
• Norepinephrine raise: This drug can increase extracellular norepinephrine levels, which in turn helps to improve cognition, vigilance and alertness. This neurotransmitter acts as a stimulant and a hormone. You may feel more mobile if your levels of norepinephrine are higher. Your metabolism may also increase.
• Physical activity Some people feel the need to exercise or be active after taking this drug. This is due to the increased energy the drug gives the body. Norepinephrine can stimulate the whole CNS to produce more energy. People need to use this extra energy. Many people exercise while taking the drug. This keeps their metabolism high and helps them burn calories.
• Self-control This drug can improve brain function, making you more self-aware and less inclined to engage in impulsive behaviors. You may be able to resist eating unhealthy foods, and you may be more disciplined in your pursuit of healthy lifestyle habits.
• Side effects: An increase in norepinephrine may cause nausea. Strattera treatment can cause nausea in more than half of patients. This medication’s propensity to cause nausea may explain why some people feel less hungry and/or less satisfied. For obvious reasons, side effects such as diarrhea and vomiting can also cause weight loss.
• Accelerates metabolism This drug is stimulant and can alter metabolism in certain individuals. It may lead to weight loss.

Noting: There is often a lot of variation in the factors that directly affect weight loss. One person might lose weight due to extreme nausea, while another person may lose weight due to the drug’s ability to speed up their metabolism. Another person might feel so energized that they are able to work out like a madman. It is important to recognize these differences.

Strattera: How much weight will you lose on Strattera?

Strattera can be difficult to estimate how much weight you will lose until you take it. There are many factors that will determine your likelihood of losing weight with Strattera, as was mentioned earlier. A few cases have seen individuals lose more than 30 pounds. In just two months, the treatment was completed.

This is generally a significant weight loss in a short time period, but it can happen. It is also possible that children who take this medication may experience weight loss. It is possible for people taking this medication to lose some weight but it is not considered medically significant.

Will Strattera help everyone lose weight?

No. According to medical reports, only 22% of Strattera users actually experience weight loss. Some people experience significant weight loss within the first few weeks, while others may see a rebound in their weight over the following weeks. It is important that you understand that not everyone will experience the same weight loss as you or your friend. People who experience a decreased appetite as side effects are more likely than those who don’t.

Beneficial weight loss vs. Weight loss as side effect

It is important to evaluate the therapeutic benefits of Strattera in relation to any side affects you may be experiencing. You may be able justify some side effects if the drug is effective in treating ADHD. If the drug is not working well and you’re experiencing side effects like nausea, weight loss, or lack of appetite, you might talk to your doctor to discuss switching to Vyvanse or Adderall.

If you have lost weight due to the medication, do you find this side effect pleasant or unpleasant? Strattera can be enjoyed by overweight people who like to lose weight. However, those who are already thin may not enjoy the weight loss. Talk to your doctor if you feel that the weight loss is not safe.

Vyvanse vs Strattera for Weight Loss

You shouldn’t be using either Strattera or Vyvanse primarily for weight loss.

Neither of these drugs were designed as weight loss aids. They were specifically formulated and calibrated to treat ADHD, either by increasing norepinephrine and dopamine (in the case of Vyvanse) or by preventing norepinephrine reuptake (in the case of Strattera).

However, it is true that both drugs cause weight loss indirectly.

Of the two, Vyvanse much more reliably cause weight loss. Strattera works by preventing norepinephrine reuptake at your neurons. This would not cause weight loss anywhere near as directly or as reliably as Vyvanse as you would not experience the same spike in dopamine (known to reduce appetite and increase motivation).

While weight loss is a known secondary effect of these ADHD medications, we strongly advise against using them for this purpose unless you have been prescribed them for weight loss by a doctor.

If you want to use ADHD medication to help you lose weight, we highly recommend using natural ADHD medication alternatives instead.

One of our current top rated nootropics, Vyvamind, is commonly known as “natural Vyvanse” because it replicates some of the best effects of the ADHD medication without the associated side effects (including excessively rapid weight gain).

Related posts:

• Vyvanse and weight loss
• Adderall and weight loss
• Nootropics for ADHD
• Adderall and caffeine
• Mind Lab Pro for ADHD

How To Use Strattera For Weight Loss: Dosing and Safety

Brian Johnson, PhD

Brian Johnson is current Editor of Vagarights.com and a long-time writer for VAGA. A former psychologist, Brian is passionate about improving mental health and finding ways to stave off cognitive decline. He is an expert on nootropics, cognitive enhancement and biohacking more broadly. You can see his work on Google scholar.