{"id":40363,"date":"2023-08-15T07:54:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T07:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/?post_type=generalhealth&p=40363"},"modified":"2026-05-19T15:48:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T15:48:07","slug":"strattera-foods-to-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/general-health\/strattera-foods-to-avoid\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Foods To Avoid While Taking Strattera (Atomoxetine)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can be challenging, but medications such as Strattera (atomoxetine) can help improve focus and reduce symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strattera is an FDA-approved ADHD medicine that is used to treat ADHD symptoms in children aged 6 to 12, adolescents, and adults. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) medication that has not been researched in children under the age of six.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s critical to understand that this medicine influences specific brain chemicals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to the benefits of taking Strattera, it is also crucial to be aware of potential interactions with specific foods that may reduce its effectiveness or intensify adverse effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is why we have compiled this list of interactions and foods you may want to avoid when taking Strattera, as well as alternatives to consume instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We hope this helps you make smart nutrition decisions and make the most of your treatment plan!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Foods To Avoid While Taking Strattera<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here are the most important interactions of Strattera with food and beverages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1) Alcohol<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Can you drink while taking Strattera? A person on Strattera should avoid drinking alcohol, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Combining Strattera with alcohol may worsen symptoms and increase the medication’s adverse effects, such as sedation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to a 2018 study<\/a>, there is a relationship between ADHD and alcohol and substance use problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Strattera may help people recover from alcoholism<\/a> if they know not to drink alcohol while taking the medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a person consumes alcohol while taking Strattera, they may have an increase in adverse drug responses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These include nausea, vomiting, heartburn, flatulence, constipation, fatigue<\/a>, headaches, stomach pain, mood swings, dizziness, decreased sex drive<\/a>, dry mouth, difficulty urinating<\/a>, sweating, hot flashes, and muscle pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"metformin<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2) Caffeine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Caffeine and Strattera can both stimulate the central nervous system, resulting in increased heart rate, restlessness, agitation, raised blood pressure, and jitters.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These are risk factors for strokes and heart attacks. Combined, these medications may intensify one other’s effects, resulting in unpleasant or worse adverse effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caffeine stimulates the brain, which may interfere with Strattera’s ability to calm hyperactivity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It causes frequent urination, whereas Strattera users have experienced trouble passing pee and an inability to empty the bladder completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3) Grapefruit<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Grapefruit has numerous health benefits, however, it can be harmful when coupled with the medication atomoxetine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furanocoumarins found in the fruit can interfere with how your body metabolizes certain drugs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These substances, in particular, block cytochrome P450, an enzyme in your intestines that breaks down drugs like Strattera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"grapefruit<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4) High-fat foods<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When taking Strattera, it’s critical to watch what you eat. High-fat diets can interfere with this medication’s absorption and impair its effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because fat slows stomach emptying, impacting how quickly drugs are absorbed into your system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid high-fat foods or snacks if you’re taking Strattera!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5) Vitamin C-rich fruits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While getting vitamin C in your diet is critical, you should also be mindful of when you ingest this nutrient because ascorbic acid might interact unfavorably with atomoxetine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you consume vitamin C at the same time as Strattera, it is less likely to reach the brain and work properly, as most of it is taken to the kidneys and flushed out during your next bathroom visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some ideas for including both vitamin C and Strattera in your diet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n