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Strattera vs. Provigil

Are Strattera and Provigil the Same Thing?

Strattera (atomoxetine) and Provigil (modafinil) are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Provigil is also used to increase wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness related to narcolepsy, shiftwork sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

Strattera and Provigil belong to different drug classes. Strattera a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) and Provigil is a stimulant.

Side effects of Strattera and Provigil that are similar include trouble sleeping (insomnia), dry mouth, nausea, or dizziness.

Side effects of Strattera that are different from Provigil include cough, decreased appetite, upset stomach, vomiting, drowsiness, irritability, constipation, skin rash, itching, increased menstrual cramps, impotence, loss of interest in sex, or trouble having an orgasm.

Side effects of Provigil that are different from Strattera include headache, upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea, nervousness, anxiety, or agitation.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Strattera?

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.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Provigil?

Common side effects of Provigil include:

  • headache,
  • dizziness,
  • upper respiratory tract infection,
  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • nervousness,
  • anxiety,
  • agitation,
  • dry mouth, and
  • trouble sleeping (insomnia).

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Provigil including:

  • fever,
  • easy bruising or bleeding,
  • hallucinations,
  • depression,
  • chest pain,
  • fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, or
  • mental/mood changes (such as confusion, depression, hallucinations, rare thoughts of suicide).

What Is Strattera?

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.

What Is Provigil?

Provigil (modafinil) is a stimulant prescribed to increase wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness related to narcolepsy, shiftwork sleep disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome.

 

What Drugs Interact With Strattera?

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:

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.

What Drugs Interact With Provigil?

Provigil drug interactions include cyclosporine (Sandimmune), theophylline (Theo-24), hormonal contraceptives (for example, Micronor), warfarin (Coumadin), diazepam (Valium), propranolol (Inderal), imipramine (Tofranil), desipramine (Norpramin), phenytoin (Dilantin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), rifampin (Rifadin), Ketoconazole (Nizoral) and itraconazole (Sporanox). Provigil has not been adequately studied in pregnant women and it is unknown if it is excreted in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

 

How Should Strattera Be Taken?

  • 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.

How Should Provigil Be Taken?

Provigil dosage is 200 or 400 mg daily.