Intuniv and Sleepy: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• June 8, 2012

For ADHD "The first few days on 1 mg in the morning, he was so tired in the afternoon, but by the 5th day he was doing better. At 2 mg, it started over but never faded. After 3 weeks, the Dr. suggested taking it at night, but it was no better. He would fall asleep on his desk after lunch, in the car or on the couch after school, and just completely lost his personality. He was calm and could focus better, but he never laughed, was never silly, barely played, it was awful. We tried going back to 1 mg but had more trouble focusing again, so we tried 1mg in the morning and 1 in the evening. But he was still a little zombie. So we gave up. I'd rather have him bouncing off the walls than too tired to laugh and play."

• Lim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2019

For ADHD "I’ve been experiencing side effects that make my day-to-day life very difficult. I’m dizzy, I feel like my vision is blacking out when I walk, I’m extremely lethargic, and find myself sleeping all the time. I’ve been having stomach problems, a high heartbeat (and I thought Intuniv was supposed to subdue you), an extremely dry mouth, and so much anxiety. I haven’t even noticed any positive changes in my ability to focus since I’m constantly disoriented or asleep."

• 8Da...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2021

For ADHD "This drug is awful. It doesn’t help ADHD at all, okay. It sedates you and turns off your inhibitions, which makes you less impulsive. But that’s not helping ADHD at all. Same goes for autism and anxiety. You can argue that it helps certain things, but for a drug to work, you need to stay functional and not completely shut off and brain dead. I could not function normally while on this. I was a zombie all day. Side effects were lightheadedness, loss of appetite, sleeping a lot, pins, nausea, and bodily dissociation."

• jms...
• October 30, 2016

For ADHD "Our son has been on Intuniv for 3 years. We started in kindergarten when he was diagnosed with ADHD. He is very impulsive, not easily compliant, with underlying anxiety. The behavioral issues in school were challenging, so we began at 1mg. A BIG NOTE HERE: I have read reviews, and I'm surprised a doctor prescribes this medication to a patient at a higher dosage! Always start at 1mg and increase as time goes on, if needed. My son was on 1mg for a year, then we increased to 2mg in October. By the following summer, I reduced back to 1mg. However, had to raise it again one month into school. We were able to get through that school year on 2mg. Now, in Year 3, we increased to 3mg 3 days ago. Does anyone have experience with 3mg with their 8-year-old? He is very sleepy as he adjusts and irritable, takes naps, wakes up, and seems happy again."

• Rod...
• June 19, 2018

For ADHD "Male adult ADHD, mostly inattentive (but restless on the inside!), also bipolar type 2. I was on Ritalin for about a year and had a lot of problems with a dry and stuffy nose with frequent infections. Atomoxetine had similar effects: sleepy, nasal stuffiness, premature ejaculation (only ejaculation was premature). Intuniv actually reversed nasal dryness, my nose never felt better. Intuniv has both stimulating and calming effects, and my mood generally is better. I have more frequent urination at night, I often have to get up at 5 a.m. to go to the bathroom. Sometimes it is hard to get back to sleep, but then usually instant-release Clonidine helps (Clonidine has helped for problems with insomnia). I have NOT had any problems with sexual side effects on Intuniv, which is great. Perhaps only a slight increase in libido, but it could be due to improvement in mood as well. Appetite is normal, it has helped me lose a little weight. Ritalin used to give me increased hunger and sugar cravings."

• ida...
• October 6, 2014

For ADHD "My son took this for a couple of years. At first, it was very effective, and I was excited to have a non-stimulant medication to treat his ADHD. It did make him sleepy, and that was problematic, and then its effectiveness wore off."

• jes...
• February 3, 2012

For ADHD "My son is 6 years old and has sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and maybe Asperger's. He has been on it for 2 months now and recently has been very sleepy and more awake at night. I got a call from his school saying he fell asleep cold on the computer and went to the nurse, where he slept for an hour. He is now home today and sleeping again. I am very concerned about this and made him an appointment. He is starting 2mg instead of 3 tonight. I have seen behavioral improvement in him and my 9-year-old who has no side effects. Good luck to all you parents out there. Hope this was helpful."

• mom...
• September 22, 2010

For ADHD "My 9-year-old son was diagnosed with ADHD a year ago and has had OT services for 6 months. We started Intuniv 2 weeks ago. First day on 1 mg, he was super hyper, then seemed unchanged. A week later we went to 2 mg. It's great. He is more focused, less wiggly, finishes tasks in a more timely manner. He still squirms but not as much. His teacher is happy with the improvement. Side effects: sleepy, dry mouth, emotional. We have been giving him the pill in the morning. Around 5 pm, he gets super sleepy. The doctor told me there is no peak in when the drug works but there is a peak in when the side effects occur. They tend to be 8-10 hours after taking the drug. We are going to try giving him the pill at night and see if it helps with drowsiness."

• Nat...
• January 11, 2012

For ADHD "My 8-year-old son was diagnosed 2 years ago with ADHD. We knew in preschool something wasn't right. I refused to medicate him until after his first report card in second grade. I could not let his esteem fall from poor grades when we all know how bright he is. He started off with Vyvanse 20 mg. It worked well for him for the rest of that school year. The next year, we had to up it to 30 mg, but we felt it wasn't effective. This winter break, we started Intuniv. He is on his 3rd week. He has an increased appetite, focuses well, but is too sleepy in the evenings. He normally would have a hard time falling asleep. Now he falls asleep at the table reading by 8. I will continue the Intuniv, but hoping it gets better."

• rag...
• March 3, 2010

For ADHD "We just started this a week ago and have not had good results yet. My 11-year-old son had been on Focalin for about 2 years for Asperger's Syndrome and was doing great, then, like any other drug he's been on since he was 5, it just stopped working. Sure wish I knew that this would work, but so far, the results are not great. His doctor added his Risperdal back to try to cut down on the yelling out, singing at school, but so far, I am not convinced that this is going to work. We are sticking it out through this week, and I pray that I start to see some results soon. He does get very sleepy around 8 pm and falls asleep on the couch. Last night was the first night that he didn't wake up during the night crying and saying he was nauseous, yay!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2021

For ADHD "After Ritalin and Dex and massive weight loss with both, his pediatrician decided on this as it’s another long-lasting medication. My son, being an active boy and going into high school next year, I feel more comfortable with the one tablet and me knowing he's taking it. The first day was good, but the second he has been very sleepy, so we are going to swap to a nighttime dose of 1 mg to see if that helps, and then after the week to 2 mg. I really am hoping this works and the change in time does good. I’m in Australia and only cost him $6.60 for the month. I am glad I don't have to pay what others are paying."

• Eri...
• February 10, 2010

For ADHD "I'm a 22-year-old female. I was on Vyvanse 60 mg, but side effects were getting bad. Switched to Intuniv, only made it through 2 weeks of it. It made me very sleepy, sluggish, and cranky (could have been withdrawals from the Vyvanse). I could not wait for it to kick in for another 2 weeks as recommended."