A 36-year-old DJ from Malton, Yorkshire, has spoken out about a severe reaction he suffered while taking atomoxetine, a non-stimulant ADHD medication also known as Strattera, warning others to be aware of its potential side effects. Ryan Swain was hospitalised in 2010 after just a few months on the drug, experiencing what doctors called a "violent allergic reaction" that caused prolonged projectile vomiting, a ruptured stomach lining and a brief cardiac arrest requiring resuscitation. His case highlights the risks some patients face with ADHD medications, even though severe reactions of this kind are considered very rare.

Mr Swain said he vomited for hours, was told by his doctor that they had "never seen anything like it", and lost confidence in the treatment system, leading him to stop medication altogether. Vomiting is a recognised common side effect of atomoxetine according to NICE, though allergic reactions specifically are rare and usually present as rashes or swelling rather than the extreme illness he described. He now runs a free initiative, You, Me & ADHD, promoting alternative ways to manage the condition, such as skateboarding and structured routines. The article notes that around 270,000 people in England currently take ADHD medication, some 800,000 are awaiting assessment, and referrals have risen twentyfold since 2000, with roughly 2.5 million people in England estimated to be living with ADHD.