Strattera (Atomoxetine) Detox: Side Effects And Timeline

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answered by Treatment X Evidence Based Strattera (Atomoxetine) Detox: Side Effects And Timeline Written by Amanda Koennicke, M.A. CMHC Medically Reviewed by Johnelle Smith, M.D.

Updated on September 15, 2025

Strattera (atomoxetine) is a nonstimulant ADHD medication. Detox may be recommended for people who misuse Strattera alone or in combination with other drugs, such as prescription stimulants or illicit stimulants like cocaine.

ON THIS PAGE:
  • Risks
  • Do I Need Detox?
  • Withdrawal Symptoms
  • Timeline
  • FAQs
  • Show More
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Strattera (atomoxetine) is a non-stimulant medication that doctors prescribe to treat ADHD. Unlike stimulant ADHD medications, Strattera is not considered habit-forming and typically doesn’t cause physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms when people stop taking it.

However, doctors still recommend against stopping Strattera suddenly without medical supervision, as this can cause uncomfortable side effects. While Strattera abuse is uncommon, some people do misuse this medication, especially when combining it with other drugs or alcohol. In cases where Strattera has been abused alongside other substances, a supervised detox program may be necessary to address any complications.

Learn more about detoxing from antidepressants

Risks Of Strattera Detox

Strattera is not a stimulant. It is not habit-forming and not known to be a common drug of misuse. However, it should not be stopped without first consulting your doctor. Strattera is classified as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). This means it affects the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which can help regulate mood and attention.

Unlike stimulant medications like Vyvanse or Adderall (amphetamine), Strattera does not affect dopamine. Because of this, discontinuing Strattera does not cause a crash. However, stopping Strattera very suddenly, or all at once, could cause rebound ADHD symptoms, including difficulties with concentration, mood, or activity level.

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Do I Need To Detox From Strattera?

Strattera does not cause physical dependence or withdrawal when taken by itself as directed by a doctor. Withdrawal may occur if you abuse Strattera with other drugs.

You may need to detox if you:

  • have a history of Strattera abuse
  • misuse Strattera in combination with other drugs
  • have a recent history of drug or alcohol abuse

If you’re unsure whether you need detox, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider who can evaluate your specific situation. They can assess your medication use patterns, any other substances you’ve been taking, and your overall health to determine the safest way to stop taking Strattera. Even if formal detox isn’t necessary, medical supervision can help prevent uncomfortable side effects and ensure a smooth transition off the medication.

What Are The Symptoms Of Strattera Withdrawal?

Strattera is not known to cause withdrawal when taken and stopped alone.

If you are addicted to another type of drug, however, this could result in withdrawal symptoms if you detox from all drugs at once.

Common symptoms of drug withdrawal include:

  • sweating
  • tremors
  • headache
  • anxiety
  • insomnia
  • physical discomfort
  • drug cravings
  • fatigue
  • depression
  • disorientation

Alcohol withdrawal and benzodiazepine withdrawal (e.g. Xanax detox) can be very dangerous. If you have a drug abuse problem, seek medical advice before stopping any type of drug all at once.

Timeline For Strattera Detox

Strattera is not a type of drug that requires weaning, nor does it cause symptoms of withdrawal when use of the drug is stopped.

For other types of drug abuse, or alcohol abuse, detox may last anywhere from three to 10 days, depending on the type of drug, severity of dependence, and other factors.

Strattera Detox FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about Strattera detox, withdrawal, and treatment for Strattera abuse.

❓ Do You Have To Wean Off Atomoxetine?

✔️ Weaning off atomoxetine, or tapering doses, is not typically necessary. However, it’s best to talk to a doctor about stopping this drug before making any adjustments to your medication usage.

❓ How Long Does It Take To Get Atomoxetine Out Of Your System?

✔️ Atomoxetine (Strattera) has a half-life of about five hours. It can take several half-lives for a drug to be fully eliminated from your system.

Factors such as age, metabolism, body composition, and the use of other substances (including alcohol) may affect how long it takes for Strattera to leave your system.

Read more about how long drugs stay in your system

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff

This page does not provide medical advice. See more Article resources

Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.

These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.

  • U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) — Strattera (atomoxetine hydrochloride) capsules labelhttps://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2011/021411s035lbl.pdf
  • U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) — Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction DrugFactshttps://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/treatment
  • U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus — Atomoxetinehttps://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a603013.html
  • U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed — A review of the abuse potential assessment of atomoxetine: a nonstimulant medication for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorderhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23397050/
  • U.S. National Library of Medicine: PubMed — Changes in symptoms and adverse events after discontinuation of atomoxetine in children and adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a prospective, placebo-controlled assessmenthttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14709944/
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