Strattera is a prescription drug used to treat ADHD. It is usually taken once per day in the morning, but it can be taken twice per day (once in the morning and once in the evening).

Strattera (atomoxetine) is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children ages 6 years and older.

It comes as an oral capsule. The typical dosing schedule for Strattera is once per day in the morning. Learn more about whether there are benefits to taking Strattera at night and when the drug reaches peak levels in your body.

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Strattera’s prescribing information recommends taking the dose in the morning if you have a daily dosing schedule. If the dose is divided into twice-per-day dosing, then one dose should be taken in the morning and another in the late afternoon or early evening.

A 2009 trial that compared taking doses of Strattera in the morning versus the evening found that taking the drug at either time decreased ADHD symptoms. Morning dosing was found to be more effective in certain ways, but people could tolerate evening dosing better.

Taking Strattera at night might help you better manage the side effects of the drug. Strattera can cause sedation or sleepiness, so taking the drug in the evening could result in fewer noticeable side effects.

Strattera is not a stimulant medication like some other ADHD medications, such as amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR). Stimulant medications can increase alertness and energy levels, which can make it difficult to sleep at night.

That’s why Strattera can be taken at night if that works better for you.

That said, it may take some time to figure out what dosing schedule works best for you. It may also depend on how Strattera makes you feel. But taking Strattera at night can be helpful in certain situations.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your dosing schedule for Strattera.

Strattera starts working right away after you take your first dose. Strattera’s peak time, or maximum concentration in the body, is 1 to 2 hours after the dose. Even though Strattera starts working right away, it may take 2 to 4 weeks for you to notice a decrease in ADHD symptoms.

The half-life of Strattera is 5 hours. It typically takes about 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to be cleared from your body. This means a dose of Strattera will stay in your system for about 20 to 25 hours. So the drug shouldn’t wear off during the day, even if you take your dose of Strattera at night.

If you have questions about how long it takes for Strattera to work, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Strattera is a prescription drug used to treat ADHD in adults and certain children. The typical dosing schedule is once daily in the morning, but the dose may be divided into two doses taken in the morning and late afternoon or early evening.

If you are experiencing side effects, such as sleepiness, from Strattera, it may be helpful to take your dose in the evening. Since Strattera is not a stimulant medication, it can be taken at whatever time works best for you.

If you have questions about the best time to take your dose of Strattera, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.