What is Strattera?
Strattera, which is a brand name for atomoxetine, is a prescription drug for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults and children. Atomoxetine, the active substance in Strattera, is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), a class of antidepressant medications.
Strattera is taken in a capsule, usually every day. It alters how your brain takes up norepinephrine and changes your mood. This indicates less hyperactivity, greater attention span, and reduced impulsive behaviours in people by changing the body’s functioning of norepinephrine [1, 2].
What is Celexa?
Celexa (citalopram) is a prescription medication for depression in adults over 18. It’s one of many drugs that are marketed as antidepressants, or rather, among a subset of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The active ingredient in Celexa is citalopram (the generic name for Celexa). Generics are doppelgängers of the active ingredient in the name-brand drug. Celexa is a pill you swallow by oral administration [3].
What is the Difference Between Strattera and Celexa?
Strattera and Celexa are two prescription drugs, but they have different conditions and function in alternative ways.
Strattera (atomoxetine) is mainly used for the condition of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Straterra is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), an inhibitor of the brain’s chemical messenger norepinephrine, leading to reduced hyperactivity and increased focus. Strattera generally has a low potential for addiction and abuse [2, 4].
In contrast, Celexa is an antidepressant, used for treating depression, rather than ADHD. As mentioned before, it belongs to a a group of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), while Strattera is a SNRI. Celexa works by raising serotonin levels, a naturally occurring neurotransmitter, rather than inhibiting norepinephrine as is the case with Strattera.
So, to conclude, Strattera and Celexa are used to treat mental illness, but for different neurotransmitters and in other circumstances. Strattera is used mainly for ADHD, and Celexa is primarily used for depression.
Main Types of Antidepressants
Antidepressants are a general group of drugs to treat depression and other mood disorders. They regulate many chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters that influence mood and emotions. Voici les principaux types of antidepressants:
- SSRIs—Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors—are the first line of medication for most physicians because they have fewer side effects. They work by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain [5, 6].
- Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) increase levels of serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain, by blocking their reuptake. They’re usually administered when SSRIs don’t work [5, 6].
- Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs): They keep more serotonin and norepinephrine in your brain. But they’re generally used after other treatments have flopped because they have a higher risk of severe side effects [5, 6].
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): These inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which metabolises serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. They are rarely given anymore because of their grave side effects [5, 6].
- Atypical antidepressants: This group includes newer antidepressants that don't fit into the other groups. They have different mechanisms of action and are often used when other treatments have failed [6].
- Serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine reuptake inhibitors also known as triple reuptake inhibitors are a newer class of drugs that block the reuptake of the three neurotransmitters serotonin, noradrenalin and dopamine, potentially offering greater efficacy [7].
- Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRIs): NDRIs are a new type of antidepressant with no effect on the serotonin system but on norepinephrine and dopamine [8].
Recall that all antidepressants are different and will come with various side effects. Talk about these things with your doctor and see the best treatment course for you.