What does the FDA say about Strattera and Anxiety?

According to information reviewed and approved by the FDA, Strattera in general doesn’t worsen anxiety.

Strattera has been tested in multiple clinical trials in patients who have ADHD and anxiety.

Based on data from these trials, there’s no clear evidence that Strattera worsens or creates anxiety, as shown by the following quote from its drug label, reviewed by the FDA:

In adults, one clinical trial found that patients with ADHD and anxiety actually experienced an overall decrease in their anxiety symptoms on Strattera.

Similarly, another study in children found that kids who had a diagnosed anxiety disorder and ADHD showed symptom improvement after being given Strattera.

While Strattera is not specifically approved as an anxiety treatment, the data from the clinical trials above suggest that patients with an anxiety disorder may show some improvement in their anxiety symptoms while on Strattera. However, more studies are needed to confirm this effect.

There are significant risks when it comes to Strattera that may be related to anxiety.

The FDA has placed a black box warning, its most serious, on Strattera regarding the risk of suicidal thoughts and children.

While the risk of suicidal thoughts is not necessarily caused by anxiety, the FDA has instructed families of children on Strattera to be on the lookout for changes in behavior since these could be risk factors.

If you are a parent of a child on Strattera and you notice new signs of anxiety or panic attacks, let your doctor know. This may be an excellent time to consider switching treatments.

While patients, in general, may not develop worse than the anxiety on Strattera, every patient’s experience is slightly different.

According to clinical trial data published by the FDA, some patients had to stop taking Strattera because of anxiety or because of panic attacks caused by Strattera.

Every person's experience with mental health is different, and this includes how they respond to medication.

If you do experience concerning reactions to a new medication like Strattera, it's important to let your clinician know. There are other treatment options out there to consider.