Intuniv

Generic Name: guanfacine (GWAHN fa seen)
Brand Names: Intuniv, Tenex

What is Intuniv?

Intuniv (guanfacine) increases the firing of neurons in an area of the brain that helps people to control their own behavior.

Intuniv is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children who are aged 6 to 17 years old.

Intuniv may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Intuniv

You should not use Intuniv if you are allergic to guanfacine.

Before you take Intuniv, tell your doctor if you have have heart problems or a low heart rate, low blood pressure, if you have fainted, or if your have kidney or liver disease.

Slideshow: Grapefruit and Medicines: A Possible Deadly Mix?

Intuniv may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Avoid drinking alcohol.

To be sure Intuniv is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Your blood pressure and heart rate may also need to be checked. Do not miss any` follow-up visits to your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy. They can add to sleepiness caused by Intuniv.

Before taking Intuniv

You should not use Intuniv if you are allergic to guanfacine.

To make sure you can safely take Intuniv, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• heart disease or heart block;

• low blood pressure or a low heart rate;

• kidney disease; or
• liver disease.

FDA pregnancy category B. Intuniv is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether guanfacine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use Intuniv without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

See also: Intuniv pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Intuniv?

Take Intuniv exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.

Take your Intuniv dose once daily. The tablet should be swallowed whole with a small amount of water, milk, or other liquid. Do not take Intuniv with a high-fat meal.

Do not crush, chew, or break an Intuniv extended-release tablet. Swallow the pill whole. Breaking the pill may cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.

To be sure Intuniv is helping your condition and not causing harmful effects, your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Your blood pressure and heart rate may also need to be checked. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor.

Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking Intuniv suddenly, your condition may become worse and you could have unpleasant symptoms.

Store Intuniv at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

See also: Intuniv dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss more than 2 doses in a row.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, dizziness, slow heart rate, or feeling like you might pass out.

What should I avoid while taking Intuniv?

Avoid taking Intuniv with a high-fat meal.

Intuniv may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather while you are taking Intuniv.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Intuniv.

Intuniv side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Intuniv: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast or slow heart rate;

• pounding heartbeats, chest tightness;

• numbness or tingling; or

• feeling like you might pass out.

Less serious Intuniv side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness, tired feeling;

• dry mouth;

• constipation;

• stomach pain;

• weight gain;

• headache; or

• feeling irritable.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Intuniv side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Intuniv?

Before you take Intuniv, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, anxiety, or psychiatric disorders). They can add to sleepiness caused by Intuniv.

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially any other blood pressure medications, or:

• bosentan (Tracleer);

• conivaptan (Vaprisol);

• dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol);

• diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Solareze);

• St. John's wort;

• imatinib (Gleevec);

• isoniazid (for treating tuberculosis);

• valproic acid (Depakene, Stavzor);

• an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), dalfopristin/quinupristin (Synercid), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), or telithromycin (Ketek);

• antifungal medication such as clotrimazole (Mycelex Troche), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or voriconazole (Vfend);

• an antidepressant such as nefazodone;

• a barbiturate such as butabarbital (Butisol), secobarbital (Seconal), pentobarbital (Nembutal), or phenobarbital (Solfoton);

• a calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others;

• HIV or AIDS medicine such as atazanavir (Reyataz), delavirdine (Rescriptor), efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), nelfinavir (Viracept), nevirapine (Viramune), saquinavir (Invirase), or ritonavir (Norvir); or

• seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenytoin (Dilantin), or primidone (Mysoline).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Intuniv. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Intuniv.