It is important to follow the instructions and directions mentioned in the package and label of intuniv or guanfacine. Also, inform your physician about your complete medical history, allergies, and all the medicines you take.
How Effective is Intuniv?
Intuniv otherwise known as guanfacine is a drug prescribed by physicians to effectively treat ADHD (Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in children above six years. Although intuniv or guanfacine does not stimulate central nervous system, it is given with a combination of ADHD medication.
The intuniv or guanfacine tablet is to be taken only once a day as it is a long acting tablet. In most cases it is taken in the morning and around the same time every day.
Do not drink alcohol. Also, do not get dehydrated or overheated due to exercise in hot weather.
In case you are having other medicines that makes you fall sleepy, inform your doctor as they can also increase sleepiness due to intuniv.
Prior to Taking Intuniv
If you are allergic to guanfacine, do not take this drug. It is important to tell your physician if you have any of these conditions to make sure you can take intuniv or guanfacine safely.
- Low B.P (blood pressure)
- Recent heart attack
- Heart block / heart disease
- Kidney illness,
- History of stroke or coronary artery disease
- Liver ailment.
Pregnancy Category B by FDA. Intuniv or guanfacine cannot harm an unborn child. You can also inform your doctor if you plan to become pregnant or are pregnant to make the treatment safe. It is also important to inform your doctor if you are breast feeding a baby as it is unused if the medicine passes from breast milk to the baby.
What are the Side Effects of Intuniv?
If you experience any of these side effects such as swelling in lips, face, throat, tongue or have difficulty breathing and hives, get immediate help without wasting much time.
Also get immediate help if you have the below mentioned severe side effects of intuniv or guanfacine:
- Chest pain
- Slow or fast heartbeats
- Hallucinations
- Light headed feeling similar to passing out.
Other intuniv or guanfacine side effects mostly include:
- Dry mouth
- Weakness
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Mild dizziness.
How to Take Intuniv?
Always take intuniv or guanfacine as instructed by your physician. Following all the instructions in the label is wise. It is common for doctors to change the dosage of the drug from time to time to ensure you get the best results. It is not to be taken in smaller or larger quantity or when it is no longer needed.
- Intuniv or guanfacine is taken in the morning once a day in most cases
- Swallow the tablet as it is without breaking, chewing or crushing
- Do not stop the medication suddenly as it will worsen your condition and give you unpleasant symptoms
- You can store the medicine in room temperature away from light, heat and moisture.
Other Drugs that Affect Intuniv
Having other drugs at the time of intuniv or guanfacine might make you sleepy and tired and also might slow your breathing and worse the effects. Therefore, it is wise to ask your physician before taking this medicine with other sleeping medicines, muscle relaxer, seizures, depression, narcotic pain medicine, medicine for anxiety.
There are other medicines that will interact with intuniv or guanfacine that includes over the counter herbal products, medicines, vitamins and also prescribed medicines. Therefore, tell all your doctors about all the medicines you are using so they will suggest to stop or start any of these medicines.
