Intuniv (Guanfacine Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Intuniv Used For?
Intuniv is a medication specifically designed to help manage the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years.
Primary Uses
Intuniv treats ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents. It can be used alone or combined with another type of ADHD medication called a psychostimulant. The medication helps improve attention and concentration while reducing impulsive and hyperactive behaviors.
How It Works
Intuniv should be used as part of a comprehensive treatment program that typically includes psychological, educational, and social therapy approaches.
Good to know: This medicine is not addictive.
How to Take Intuniv
Your doctor will determine the right dose for you or your child based on body weight and whether it’s being used with other ADHD medications.
Dosage Instructions
Take Intuniv once daily, either in the morning or evening. You can take it with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water – do not break, crush, or chew the tablet. Your doctor will start with a low dose and gradually increase it based on your child’s body weight and response. The daily dose ranges from 1-7 mg, but never exceeds 7 mg. When used with a stimulant medication, the usual maximum daily dose is 4 mg. Avoid taking Intuniv with fatty foods and do not consume grapefruit products while on this medication.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, wait until the next day and take your usual dose at the regular time. Take Intuniv at the same time each day to maintain consistent levels in your body.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- feeling sleepy or very drowsy
- feeling tired or weary
- headache
- stomach pain
- feeling restless or irritable
- trouble sleeping or broken sleep or nightmares
- feeling depressed, worried or having mood swings
- new or worse aggressive behavior, hostility
- weight gain
- loss of appetite
- dry mouth
- wetting yourself
- feeling or being sick
- diarrhea, indigestion or constipation
- slow heartbeat
- asthma
- rash
- feeling dizzy or faint
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- allergic reaction with rash, difficulty breathing, hives/itching
- chest pain
- seizures or convulsions
- fainting
- trouble breathing
- low blood pressure or feeling dizzy when standing up
- pale skin color
- high blood pressure or unusual heart rhythm
- fast and/or irregular heartbeat
- itchy skin
- need to urinate frequently
- feeling agitated
- hallucinations
- sleeping more than normal
- changes in liver blood test results
- loss of strength
- suicidal thoughts or behavior
Important Warnings
There are several important safety considerations before starting Intuniv treatment.
Who Should Not Take Intuniv
Do not use Intuniv if you are allergic to guanfacine hydrochloride or any other ingredients in the medication. This medication is not approved for children under 6 years old, adults, or elderly patients, as safety and effectiveness have not been established in these groups.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you or your child have heart problems, low heart rate, fainting episodes, low blood pressure, history of suicidal thoughts or behavior, liver or kidney problems, or any other medical conditions. Also inform your doctor about all other medications being taken.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Intuniv, tell your doctor immediately.
Suicidal Thoughts: All thoughts of suicide must be taken seriously. Talk to your doctor or mental health professional immediately if you or your child have thoughts about death, suicide, self-harm, or harming others.
Drug Interactions
Several types of medications can interact with Intuniv and affect how it works in your body.
Grapefruit interaction: Do not eat or drink products and juices containing grapefruit while being treated with Intuniv. It may interact with Intuniv and affect how it works in the body.
- medicines that lower blood pressure (antihypertensives)
- medicines used to treat epilepsy such as valproic acid
- medicines that make you sleepy
- medicines for mental health problems such as sedatives, benzodiazepines, barbiturates and antipsychotics
- medicines that can affect liver metabolism such as ketoconazole, rifampin
- medicines that can affect enzyme metabolism
- medicines that contain metformin (used for treatment of type 2 diabetes)
Alcohol & Driving
Intuniv can affect your alertness and coordination, so special precautions are needed with alcohol consumption and activities requiring concentration.
Alcohol
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Intuniv because it could make you sleepy and drowsy. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using any machines or tools until you know how Intuniv affects you. This medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, tiredness, and drowsiness in some people. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous. Children should be careful when riding bicycles or climbing trees.
Storage
Store Intuniv tablets in their original pack until it’s time to take them. Keep them in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on a windowsill. Keep the medication where young children cannot reach it. Do not use after the expiry date.
Overdose Information
If you think you or your child have taken too much Intuniv, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, even if there are no signs of discomfort. Signs of overdose may include high blood pressure that turns into low blood pressure, slow heart rate, lack of energy, and difficulty breathing.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Intuniv is not addictive according to the medication information.
Yes, Intuniv can be taken with or without food. However, avoid taking it with fatty foods and do not consume grapefruit products while on this medication.
Do not stop using Intuniv suddenly or lower the dosage without checking with your doctor. If stopped suddenly, your condition may worsen or your blood pressure and heart rate may increase.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Intuniv because it could make you sleepy and drowsy. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
If you miss a dose, wait until the next day and take your usual dose at the regular time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
No, Intuniv is not approved for use in adults or elderly patients. Safety and effectiveness have not been established in these age groups.
Intuniv is approved for treating ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years old. It should not be given to children under 6 years of age.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.