Strattera vs. Wellbutrin

• Are Wellbutrin and Strattera the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Strattera?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Wellbutrin?
• What Is Strattera?
• What Is Wellbutrin?
• What Drugs Interact with Strattera?
• What Drugs Interact with Wellbutrin?
• How Should Strattera Be Taken?
• How Should Wellbutrin Be Taken?

Strattera (atomoxetine) and Wellbutrin (bupropion) are different types of antidepressants used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Wellbutrin is also used for the management of major depression and seasonal affective disorder.

Strattera and Wellbutrin belong to different antidepressant drug classes. Strattera is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and Wellbutrin is an aminoketone.

Side effects of Strattera and Wellbutrin that are similar include trouble sleeping (insomnia), dry mouth, changes in appetite, stomach pain or upset, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, constipation, itching or skin rash, or loss of interest in sex.

Side effects of Strattera that are different from Wellbutrin include cough, drowsiness, irritability, increased menstrual cramps, impotence, or trouble having an orgasm.

Side effects of Wellbutrin that are different from Strattera include agitation, headache, ringing in the ears, vision problems or blurred vision, sore throat, muscle pain, increased sweating, increased urination, tremor, weight loss or gain, joint aches, strange taste in the mouth, diarrhea, and seizures (especially at higher doses).

Common side effects of Strattera include:

• trouble sleeping (insomnia),
• dry mouth,
• cough,
• decreased appetite,
• upset stomach,
• nausea or vomiting,
• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• irritability,
• constipation,
• skin rash,
• itching,
• increased menstrual cramps, and
• sexual side effects including
  • impotence,
  • loss of interest in sex, or
  • trouble having an orgasm.

Common side effects of Wellbutrin include:

• agitation,
• dry mouth,
• insomnia,
• headache,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• constipation,
• stomach pain,
• dizziness,
• ringing in the ears,
• vision problems or blurred vision,
• loss of interest in sex,
• sore throat,
• muscle pain,
• itching or skin rash,
• increased sweating,
• increased urination,
• tremor,
• changes in appetite,
• weight loss or gain,
• joint aches,
• strange taste in the mouth,
• diarrhea, and
• seizures (especially at higher doses).

Strattera is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor medicine. It is used for the treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Strattera may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

Strattera should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

Strattera has not been studied in children less than 6 years old.

Wellbutrin is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with a certain type of depression called major depressive disorder.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines that you or your child takes including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Strattera and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Your doctor will decide whether Strattera can be taken with other medicines.

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child takes:

• asthma medicines
• anti-depression medicines including MAOIs
• blood pressure medicines
• cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants

Know the medicines that you or your child takes. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start any new medicine while taking Strattera without talking to your doctor first.

Wellbutrin may interact with insulin, blood thinners, and asthma medications. Wellbutrin may also interact with many medications including heart or blood pressure medications, HIV or AIDS medications, seizure medications, other antidepressants, medicines to treat a psychiatric disorder, antibiotics, antihistamines that make you sleepy, bronchodilators, birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens, bladder or urinary medications, diet pills, stimulants, ADHD medications, oral diabetes medication, medicines for nausea/vomiting/motion sickness, medications to treat or prevent malaria, medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, medication for restless leg syndrome, medication for pituitary gland tumor, medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, narcotics, numbing medicines, steroids, theophylline, or ulcer or irritable bowel medications.

• Take Strattera exactly as prescribed. Strattera comes in different dose strength capsules. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
• Do not chew, crush, or open the capsules. Swallow Strattera capsules whole with water or other liquids. Tell your doctor if you or your child cannot swallow Strattera whole. A different medicine may need to be prescribed.
• Avoid touching a broken Strattera capsule. Wash hands and surfaces that touched an open Strattera capsule. If any of the powder gets in your eyes or your child's eyes, rinse them with water right away and call your doctor.
• Strattera can be taken with or without food.
• Strattera is usually taken once or twice a day. Take Strattera at the same time each day to help you remember. If you miss a dose of Strattera, take it as soon as you remember that day. If you miss a day of Strattera, do not double your dose the next day. Just skip the day you missed.
• From time to time, your doctor may stop Strattera treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
• Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking Strattera. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Strattera. Strattera treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
• If you or your child takes too much Strattera or overdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.

• Take Wellbutrin exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not change your dose or stop taking Wellbutrin without talking with your healthcare provider first.
• Swallow Wellbutrin tablets whole. Do not chew, cut, or crush Wellbutrin tablets.
• Take Wellbutrin at the same time each day.
• Take your doses of Wellbutrin at least 6 hours apart.
• You may take Wellbutrin with or without food.
• If you miss a dose, do not take an extra dose to make up for the dose you missed. Wait and take your next dose at the regular time. This is very important. Too much Wellbutrin can increase your chance of having a seizure.
• If you take too much Wellbutrin, or overdose, call your local emergency room or poison control center right away.
• Do not take any other medicines while taking Wellbutrin unless your healthcare provider has told you it is okay.
• If you are taking Wellbutrin for the treatment of major depressive disorder, it may take several weeks for you to feel that Wellbutrin is working. Once you feel better, it is important to keep taking Wellbutrin exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. Call your healthcare provider if you do not feel Wellbutrin is working for you.