Highlights
- Intuniv is a non-stimulant medication approved for children and adolescents with ADHD, but also used off-label for adults.
- It is typically used as a second-line treatment. Your healthcare provider may prescribe you Intuniv if stimulant medications aren’t working for you or if you are looking for a medication with fewer side effects.
- Intuniv can cause some unwanted side effects, like any other medicine. These include dizziness, drowsiness, or lightheadedness.
- While taking Intuniv, it’s essential to tell your healthcare provider what other medications you are taking. Some medicines can interact with it.
For people with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it is often challenging to have a calm mind and sharp focus. Self-help tips and psychotherapy are not always helpful enough. If the symptoms affect your daily life, a healthcare provider may prescribe medication.
While stimulants are considered first-line treatments, not everyone can tolerate their side effects. Guanfacine ER (extended-release) (brand name Intuniv) is one of the non-stimulant options that can help in this case. Let’s take a closer look at its features.
What Is Intuniv (Guanfacine ER)?
Intuniv (guanfacine extended-release) is an
When Is Guanfacine ER Prescribed for ADHD?
Guanfacine ER is mostly used alone or as add-on treatment when other ADHD medications (such as stimulants) aren’t effective or aren’t tolerated. It’s a reliable option if any of the following situations apply:
- When stimulants aren’t providing the needed response.
- When stimulants should be avoided
- When side effects from stimulants are not tolerable
- In people who also have substance abuse
Learn more: Medications for Adults With ADHD and Anxiety
How Does Guanfacine ER Help With ADHD?
Guanfacine extended-release tablets
It may also help with other ADHD symptoms that stimulants do not fully address, such as hyperactivity, irritability, or difficulty calming down. Some people may experience less impulsivity and emotional reactivity, making it easier to pause before responding, along with smoother moods, fewer emotional outbursts, reduced physical restlessness, and improved sleep.
How Effective Is Guanfacine ER for ADHD?
Guanfacine extended-release is most effective for reducing ADHD symptoms when used in children ages 6 to 12, where research
While not FDA-approved in adults, guanfacine ER is sometimes used for the treatment of adult ADHD.
While some people may notice relief of symptoms as early as the first week or two, it often takes several weeks to see the full benefit of guanfacine ER.
About the Dosage
Guanfacine ER (Intuniv) tablets are extended-release, which means they release the active ingredient slowly into your system. The
Typical dosages are provided for informational purposes only. Consult your healthcare provider and follow their instructions.
The Best Time of Day to Take Guanfacine ER for ADHD
Guanfacine extended-release tablets usually don’t have strict requirements on the time they should be taken. However, it is important to take guanfacine ER at the same time each day. It’s best to try to avoid fatty meals and grapefruit juice while taking it. This may cause more of the medication to be absorbed into the body, which may contribute to side effects and affect your overall response to treatment.
Note that individual responses to this medication vary. Some patients have trouble sleeping when they take guanfacine ER in the evening; others can’t deal with drowsiness when they take it in the morning. It’s best to monitor your response to guanfacine ER and work with your healthcare provider to find the most appropriate time to take it.
Storage and Disposal of This Medication
For safe and responsible use, medications must be stored and disposed of correctly. If you have children or pets, keep it out of their reach.
If your medication has expired or your healthcare provider recommends changing it, use a drug-pack program to dispose of it properly or bring it to the pharmacy. You can also get advice from your pharmacist or healthcare provider regarding the best way to dispose of your medication.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
If you forget to take a dose of Intuniv, don’t stress. If you remember within a few hours of your scheduled dose, take the missed dose as soon as possible. But if it’s almost time for the next dose, just stick to your schedule by continuing with the next routine dose. Never take two or more doses at the same time.
Side Effects of Intuniv (Guanfacine ER)
While Intuniv is a helpful solution for many, like any other medication, it can cause some unwanted side effects.
Common Side Effects
- Feeling a bit sleepy (drowsiness)
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Nausea
- Feeling sluggish (fatigue)
Less Common Side Effects
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Stomach upset
- Slowed digestion, which can cause constipation
- Anxiety or nervousness
Intuniv may also cause allergic reactions or
Managing Side Effects
Side effects of guanfacine ER will often improve over time as the body adjusts to the medication. Some helpful ways to manage side effects include:
- Drowsiness: Take your dose in the evening or at night to help prevent daytime drowsiness. Avoid activities that require alertness until you know how the medicine affects you, as well as alcohol or other medicines that can add to drowsiness.
- Dizziness: Intuniv can lower blood pressure, which may contribute to dizziness. Drink fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated during the day. Standing up slowly from a sitting or lying position can also help minimize this effect.
- Headache: Drinking enough water, eating regular meals, and getting adequate sleep may help reduce headaches. Over-the-counter pain relievers may also be helpful.
- Nausea: Take Intuniv with food or after a meal to help reduce stomach upset and nausea.
- Dry Mouth: Sip water, chew sugar-free gum, or use sugar-free lozenges to help with dry mouth.
- Constipation: If you experience constipation, increase your fluid intake. Get more fiber in your diet by eating more fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans. Try to stay active when possible.
Because guanfacine ER can lower blood pressure and heart rate, your healthcare provider will likely recommend that you monitor these during your treatment, particularly at the start of treatment and after dose changes.
Withdrawal Symptoms
Stopping Intiniv abruptly can lead to withdrawal symptoms. If you have been taking Intuniv for quite a long time, your body has gotten used to it, and now it needs to learn to function without it again. So, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Tremors
- Headaches
- Rebound high blood pressure
If you are thinking of stopping or reducing Intuniv, talk to your provider to learn if it is necessary and how to do it correctly. They will help you come up with a plan to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
Drug Interactions
If you are taking other medications while on Intuniv, it’s important to inform your healthcare provider about them. Taking different medications for different conditions is sometimes necessary, and they need to work in harmony, but they can sometimes interact.
Here are some medications that may not get along with Intuniv and cause adverse reactions:
- Antihypertensive Medications: Taking Intuniv along with other medications that treat high blood pressure can cause your blood pressure to drop too low.
- Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants: Taking guanfacine ER and CNS depressants together can make you more tired or sleepy.
- CYP3A4 Inhibitors: Certain protease inhibitors, antifungals, or antibiotics can increase Intuniv’s level in your body and lead to
negative effects[6] . - Tricyclic Antidepressants: The combined use of TCAs and guanfacine ER may lead to low blood pressure.
To be on the safe side, always discuss the medications you are taking with your healthcare provider and remember to notify them about any supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter medicines. They may also have the potential to interact with Intuniv.
Risks and Considerations
Even though guanfacine ER is generally well-tolerated, there are a few risks that you should be aware of:
- When Intuniv is first started or when its dose is increased, one may feel dizzy or light-headed and potentially pass out.
- When taking Intuniv, you may need to check your heart rate. It is especially important if you take other medications that affect your heart rate because Intuniv can cause a slow heart rate.
- You may become drowsy or less alert, which makes driving and operating machinery dangerous.
- If you have a history of mental health conditions like depression, guanfacine ER has an
increased potential[7] to make symptoms worse. Remember to discuss this with your healthcare provider.
Precautions
Below are some precautions you need to keep in mind before taking guanfacine ER medication:
- Inform your healthcare provider if you have ever been allergic to a medicine or if you know you are allergic to something.
- Notify your healthcare provider of all the other medications or supplements you take to avoid drug interactions.
- If you have other medical conditions, be sure to inform your provider.
- Talk to your clinician before taking guanfacine ER if you have kidney or liver disease.
- Tell your clinician if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to get pregnant.
How Does Intuniv Compare With Other ADHD Medications?
Stimulants
Stimulant medications are typically considered
Many people notice benefits faster with stimulants than nonstimulant options — within hours to days of starting treatment instead of weeks to months. Compared with stimulant medications, Intuniv is less likely to cause side effects like appetite suppression, insomnia, jitteriness, or worsening anxiety.
In general, stimulants are the preferred option when rapid symptom control is needed, especially for attention and focus.
Non-stimulants
Non-stimulant medications can be helpful for people who can’t tolerate stimulants or need additional symptom control. Guanfacine ER works differently from other options and tends to focus more on calming the nervous system and improving emotional control, but it may also cause more drowsiness or fatigue.
- Strattera (atomoxetine) is usually more helpful for improving attention, focus, and the ability to complete tasks. However, it often takes several weeks to reach full effect. It may be less sedating than Intuniv for many patients, but it more commonly causes nausea or appetite changes.
- Kapvay (clonidine ER) is often used in the evening to help with sleep problems, tic symptoms, or severe hyperactivity, making it a suitable option when symptoms are strongest at night. However, it tends to be more sedating than Intuniv.
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin) is an antidepressant that is sometimes used off-label for ADHD. It is a suitable option when symptoms involve attention and motivation issues more than hyperactivity or emotional regulation difficulty. It may be preferred when ADHD occurs alongside depression, but it can increase anxiety or insomnia in some people.
Guanfacine ER can also be used together with stimulants to help smooth out rebound symptoms, reduce irritability, or lessen stimulant-associated side effects such as anxiety and elevated heart rate.
To find out what approach can meet your needs, consider online ADHD treatment at MEDvidi. You can consult a licensed medical provider from home, get your symptoms assessed, and receive a personalized treatment plan, if clinically appropriate.
Cost of Guanfacine ER
The cost of Intuniv can vary widely depending on whether you use the brand-name medication or the generic version, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy. Without insurance, brand-name Intuniv typically costs $340 to $420 for a 30-day supply, while generic guanfacine ER is $80 to $320. Using discount programs or pharmacy coupons can reduce the cost of generic guanfacine ER to as little as $20 for a 30-day supply at some pharmacies. Because prices can differ widely, it is a good idea to check different pharmacies for the best price.
Many insurance plans cover generic guanfacine ER at a lower copay tier, while it may require prior authorization or you may need to try other medications before you’re able to get brand-name Intuniv.
To Summarize: Is Guanfacine ER Effective?
Mostly, the first choice for ADHD treatment includes stimulant medications such as Ritalin or Adderall. However, if stimulants are not working or you are looking for an option with fewer side effects, non-stimulants like guanfacine ER may be more suitable. It has been
Book an online appointment with one of our medical professionals today to learn which ADHD treatment approach can help you best.
FAQ
How does guanfacine ER make you feel?
As a non-stimulant, guanfacine ER can make you feel less impulsive and may reduce restlessness associated with ADHD.
How long does it take for guanfacine ER to work for ADHD?
Since guanfacine ER is not a stimulant medication, it may take time to experience its full effects. The initial improvement may be noticeable in 2-4 weeks, but significant effects may take 2 to 4 months. If you have any questions about the effectiveness of your treatment, please discuss them with your healthcare provider.
Does guanfacine ER increase focus?
Yes, guanfacine ER may improve focus and decrease impulsiveness.
How effective is guanfacine ER for ADHD?
What are the benefits of Intuniv?
Is guanfacine ER the same thing as Adderall?
No, they are completely different medications in terms of how they work, side effects, and other features. Adderall is a stimulant, while guanfacine ER works as a non-stimulant.
- Non-stimulants are slower in onset compared to stimulants.
- Non-stimulants are less likely to be abused, while stimulants have a higher risk of misuse.
- Side effects of non-stimulants are usually tolerated better than those of stimulants.
It is important to have a detailed consultation with your healthcare provider to learn which medication is right for you.
