Strattera (atomoxetine) and Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) are brand-name drugs. They’re both prescribed for ADHD. Adderall may also be prescribed for other uses.
This article explains the main similarities and differences between Strattera and Adderall. If you’re considering taking one of these drugs, discussing this information with your doctor can help you decide if one of these treatments may be right for you.
Unless otherwise noted, this article uses “Adderall” to refer to both forms of the drug:
- Adderall, which is an immediate-release (IR) form. “Immediate release” means the drug is released into your body right away.
- Adderall XR, which is an extended-release (ER) form. “Extended release” means the drug is released slowly into your body over a long period of time.
Note: For more comprehensive information about these two drugs, you can refer to our Strattera and Adderall articles.
Key differences between Strattera and Adderall
These are a few of the main differences between Strattera and Adderall:
- Forms: Strattera and Adderall XR come as oral capsules, while Adderall comes as oral tablets. (See the “Dosage, forms, and administration” section.)
- Conditions treated: Strattera, Adderall, and Adderall XR are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Adderall is also used to treat narcolepsy. (See the “Uses of Strattera vs. Adderall” section.)
- Precautions: Strattera carries a risk of suicidal thoughts in certain people. Adderall and Adderall XR carry a risk of misuse and dependence. (See the “Precautions for Strattera and Adderall” section.)
Here’s information about the generic status of Strattera and Adderall, as well as details on their active ingredients.
| Strattera | Adderall | |
|---|---|---|
| Generic available | yes | Adderall: yes Adderall XR: yes |
| Active ingredients | atomoxetine | amphetamine/dextroamphetamine |
| Drug class | selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor | central nervous system (CNS) stimulant |
Strattera and Adderall have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat certain conditions.
- Strattera, Adderall, and Adderall XR are FDA approved to treat ADHD in adults.
- Adderall is also FDA approved to treat narcolepsy in adults.
Strattera or Adderall and children
Strattera, Adderall, and Adderall XR are FDA-approved to treat ADHD in children. Strattera and Adderall XR are approved for children ages 6 years and older, while Adderall is approved for children ages 3 years and older.
Adderall is also FDA approved to treat narcolepsy in children ages 6 years and older. Strattera and Adderall XR are not approved for this use in children.
Here’s a quick look at the dosage and administration of Strattera and Adderall for the conditions both drugs treat.
Dosage for ADHD in children
Below are the dosages of Strattera and Adderall for treating ADHD in adults. Strengths are listed in milligrams (mg).
| Strattera for ADHD | Adderall for ADHD | |
|---|---|---|
| Forms | oral capsule | • Adderall: IR oral tablet • Adderall XR: ER oral capsule |
| Strengths | • 10 mg • 18 mg • 25 mg • 40 mg • 60 mg • 80 mg • 100 mg | Adderall: • 5 mg • 7.5 mg • 10 mg • 12.5 mg • 15 mg • 20 mg • 30 mg Adderall XR: • 5 mg • 10 mg • 15 mg • 20 mg • 25 mg • 30 mg |
| Dose | 40 to 100 mg | Adderall: 5 to 40 mg Adderall XR: 20 to 60 mg |
| Frequency | once or twice per day | Adderall: once or twice per day Adderall XR: once per day |
| Given by | self | self |
Your doctor will recommend the dosage of Strattera or Adderall that’s right for you.
Children’s dosage
Strattera and Adderall are approved to treat ADHD in children. Strattera and Adderall XR are approved for children ages 6 years and older, while Adderall is approved for children ages 3 years and older.
Dosage for ADHD in children
Below are the dosages of Strattera and Adderall for treating ADHD in children. Strengths are listed in milligrams (mg).
Certain dosages are based on a child’s age or weight in kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb). These dosages are listed in mg per kg (mg/kg) of body weight.
| Strattera for ADHD | Adderall for ADHD | |
|---|---|---|
| Forms | oral capsule | • Adderall: IR oral tablet • Adderall XR: ER oral capsule |
| Strengths | • 10 mg • 18 mg • 25 mg • 40 mg • 60 mg • 80 mg • 100 mg | Adderall: • 5 mg • 7.5 mg • 10 mg • 12.5 mg • 15 mg • 20 mg • 30 mg Adderall XR: • 5 mg • 10 mg • 15 mg • 20 mg • 25 mg • 30 mg |
| Dose | weight 70 kg (about 154 lb) or less: 0.5 to 1.4 mg/kg weight more than 70 kg: 40 to 100 mg | Adderall: • ages 3 to 5 years: 2.5 to 30 mg • ages 6 years and older: 5 to 30 mg Adderall XR: • ages 6 to 12 years: 5 to 30 mg • ages 13 years and older: 10 to 30 mg |
| Frequency | once or twice per day | Adderall: once or twice per day Adderall XR: once per day |
| Given by | self or caregiver | self or caregiver |
For example, if your child’s weight is 36 kg (about 79 lb), they would be prescribed 18 to 50 mg of Strattera.
Your child’s doctor will recommend the right dosage of Strattera or Adderall for your child.
Both Strattera and Adderall treat ADHD. These drugs can cause some of the same side effects, as well as some different ones. Some of the side effects reported in clinical trials of these drugs are mentioned below.
For more details about side effects of the two drugs, see our side effect articles about Strattera and Adderall. You can also refer to the prescribing information for Strattera, Adderall, and Adderall XR.
Mild side effects
The following table lists some of the more commonly reported mild side effects of Strattera and Adderall. The table may also include mild side effects that are less common but that you might have concerns about in some cases.
These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. If the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Serious side effects
The following table lists the reported serious side effects of Strattera and Adderall.
| Serious side effects | Strattera | Adderall |
|---|---|---|
| heart-related problems, such as high blood pressure, increased heart rate, or heart attack | ✓ | ✓ |
| changes in mental health or behavior, including agitation, hallucinations, and mania | ✓ | ✓ |
| problems with urination | ✓ | |
| priapism (prolonged, painful erection) | ✓ | |
| liver damage | ✓ | |
| Raynaud phenomenon (lack of blood flow to your fingers or toes) | ✓ | |
| seizures | ✓ | |
| slowed growth in children | ✓ | |
| risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents* | ✓ | |
| risk of misuse and dependence† | ✓ |
If you have serious side effects while using Strattera or Adderall, call your doctor immediately. If the side effects feel life threatening or you believe you’re having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.
* Strattera has a boxed warning for this side effect. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Precautions for Strattera and Adderall” section.
† Adderall and Adderall XR have a boxed warning for this side effect. To learn more, see the “Precautions for Strattera and Adderall” section.
ALLERGIC REACTIONFor some people, Strattera or Adderall can cause an allergic reaction. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in clinical trials of Strattera, Adderall, or Adderall XR.
In general, symptoms of an allergic reaction can be mild or serious.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Strattera or Adderall, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Below are answers to some common questions about Strattera and Adderall.
Does Strattera give you energy like Adderall?
Not necessarily. In fact, fatigue was a common side effect in clinical trials of Strattera.
Strattera and Adderall are both used to treat ADHD. They both work by affecting brain chemicals that help with attention and alertness. However, Adderall is a CNS stimulant, which can make some people more energetic. Strattera is not a CNS stimulant, so it does not typically increase energy levels.
Both Strattera and Adderall can sometimes cause changes in mental health or behavior, including mania. With mania, you have episodes of high energy and excitement. However, this side effect is rare when the medications are taken as prescribed by a doctor.
If you have other questions about the effects of Strattera and Adderall, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How do Strattera and Adderall compare with other similar drugs, such as Ritalin and Vyvanse?
Strattera, Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse are brand-name medications. They’re all prescribed to treat ADHD. However, some of these drugs have other uses as well.
Below are a few ways these medications compare.
| Strattera | Adderall | Ritalin | Vyvanse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredients | atomoxetine | amphetamine/ dextroamphetamine | methylphenidate | lisdexamfetamine |
| Drug class | selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor | CNS stimulant | CNS stimulant | CNS stimulant |
| Forms | oral capsule | • Adderall: IR oral tablet • Adderall XR: ER oral capsule | • Ritalin: IR oral tablet • Ritalin LA: ER oral capsule | • oral capsule • chewable tablet |
| Approved uses | to treat ADHD in adults and children ages 6 years and older | Adderall: • to treat ADHD in adults and children ages 3 years and older • to treat narcolepsy in adults and children ages 6 years and older Adderall XR: • to treat ADHD in adults and children ages 6 years and older | Ritalin: • to treat ADHD in adults and children ages 6 years and older • to treat narcolepsy in adults and children ages 6 years and older Ritalin LA: Adderall: • to treat ADHD in children ages 6 to 12 years | • to treat ADHD in adults and children ages 6 years and older • to treat binge eating disorder (BED) in adults |
Strattera has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents. Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse have a boxed warning for the risk of misuse and dependence. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). To learn more, see the “Precautions for Strattera and Adderall” section.
Keep reading for details about the effectiveness of Strattera and Adderall.
Review of studies: Strattera has not been directly compared with Adderall for ADHD. However, a
Keep in mind that results of research studies may not apply to your health situation. Your doctor can help determine whether Strattera or Adderall may be right for you.
Prescribing information: For details about how these drugs performed in separate clinical trials, see the prescribing information for for Strattera, Adderall, and Adderall XR. Keep in mind that trial results may not apply to your individual health situation.
Treatment guidelines: Another way to see whether a drug is considered effective is to look at treatment guidelines. When an organization includes certain drugs in treatment guidelines, this means that research has shown the drug to be safe and effective.
Guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended Strattera and Adderall as treatment options for ADHD.
How much Strattera or Adderall costs depends on the treatment plan your doctor prescribes, your insurance plan, and your pharmacy. You can visit Optum Perks for price estimates of Strattera and Adderall. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.)
Both Strattera and Adderall are brand-name drugs. The two medications also come in generic form. Brand-name medications are often more expensive than generics. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn about the generic form of either drug.
Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.
Strattera and Adderall may not be right for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. The two drugs share some of the same precautions, but they also have different ones. Some of these precautions are mentioned below.
Boxed warning: Risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents
Strattera has a boxed warning for the risk of suicidal thoughts in children and adolescents. A boxed warning is a serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A boxed warning alerts doctors and patients about drug effects that may be dangerous.
Although rare, treatment with Strattera increased the risk of suicidal thoughts in clinical trials of children and adolescents. This risk was highest during the first month of Strattera treatment. It isn’t known for certain whether this risk applies to long-term use of the drug.
During Strattera treatment, your child’s doctor will monitor for mood or behavior changes. Examples include irritability, aggressive behavior, and anxiety. They’ll watch especially closely for these changes during the first few months of Strattera treatment and whenever they change your child’s dosage. Your child’s doctor may also suggest that you and other family members monitor for these changes.
Tell your child’s doctor right away if they have any mood or behavior changes. They can recommend ways to manage any side effects the child may experience.
For more information about this warning, talk with your child’s doctor.
Boxed warning: Risk of misuse and dependence
Adderall has a boxed warning for the risk of misuse and dependence. Misuse means taking a drug differently than how your doctor prescribed it. Dependence occurs when your body needs a drug to function like usual.
Misuse and dependence are known risks of CNS stimulants, including Adderall. Due to these risks, doctors may not prescribe Adderall if you’ve ever had a substance use disorder.
Before prescribing Adderall, your doctor will discuss your risk of misuse or dependence. They’ll also monitor you for signs of misuse or dependence during Adderall treatment.
For more information about this warning, talk with your doctor.
Precautions
In addition to boxed warnings, Strattera and Adderall have other warnings.
If any of the following medical conditions or other health factors are relevant to you, talk with your doctor before using Strattera or Adderall.
| Precaution | Strattera | Adderall |
|---|---|---|
| if you’ve had an allergic reaction to either drug or any of its ingredients | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’re breastfeeding or thinking about breastfeeding | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you’ve ever had seizures | ✓ | |
| if you have Tourette syndrome | ✓ | |
| if you have problems with blood circulation | ✓ | |
| if you have glaucoma | ✓ | |
| if you have heart problems | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have a mental health condition, such as bipolar disorder | ✓ | ✓ |
| if you have pheochromocytoma | ✓ |
Note: For more comprehensive information about these two drugs, you can refer to our Strattera and Adderall articles.
Help is out there
If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:
- Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
- Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
- Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
- Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Switching between Strattera and Adderall is possible.
If you’d like to know more about switching between Strattera and Adderall, talk with your doctor. They can give you additional details and help determine the best course of action for your personal situation. Even if two drugs treat the same condition or are in the same drug class, your body can still respond differently.
It’s important that you do not stop, start, or switch any of your drug treatments without your doctor’s recommendation.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.