Guanfacine
Generic medicine reference
Not yet clinically reviewed
This entry was migrated from the earlier Pharmapedia app bundle and has not been reviewed by a named clinician on this site. It is provided for educational reference only — verify dosage and safety information against current, authoritative sources and a qualified healthcare professional before any clinical use.
Overview
Guanfacine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes given with other blood pressure medications.
The Intuniv brand of guanfacine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Guanfacine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Indications
Guanfacine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes given with other blood pressure medications.
The Intuniv brand of guanfacine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Guanfacine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Contraindications
You should not use guanfacine if you are allergic to it.
Intuniv is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old. Guanfacine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
heart problems, coronary artery disease (clogged arteries); a heart rhythm disorder; a heart attack or stroke; high or low blood pressure; liver disease ; or kidney disease.
It is not known whether guanfacine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It may not be safe to breastfeed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.
Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Guanfacine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:
anxiety , nervousness; hallucinations (especially in children); severe drowsiness ; slow heartbeats; or a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
If you stop taking guanfacine, tell your doctor if you have headaches, confusion, rapid heartbeats, tremors, increased blood pressure, or if you feel nervous or agitated. If left untreated, these symptoms could lead to very high blood pressure, vision problems, or seizures .
Common side effects of guanfacine may include:
dizziness, drowsiness; low blood pressure , slow heartbeats; feeling tired or irritable; trouble sleeping; dry mouth ; or stomach pain, nausea, constipation .
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.
Warnings
Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.
High Risk Groups
Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.
Adult Dosage
1 to 3 mg/day (2 (2)) 24 hourly PO —
Scraped Dose — Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Avoid taking guanfacine with high-fat foods, or your body could absorb the medicine too quickly.
Take Intuniv with a full glass of water, milk, or other liquid.
Take Guanfacine at bedtime to ease drowsiness.
Swallow the Intuniv tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.
If a child is using this medicine, tell your doctor if the child has any changes in weight. Intuniv doses are based on weight in children, and any changes may affect your child's dose.
You should not stop using guanfacine suddenly. Stopping suddenly can raise your blood pressure and cause unpleasant symptoms.
Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting and cannot take your medicine as usual.
Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using only the form and strength your doctor prescribes.
Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Your blood pressure and heart rate may also need to be checked.
If you have high blood pressure, keep using guanfacine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Child Dosage
No child dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Neonatal Dosage
No neonatal dosage information is recorded for this medicine yet.
Drug Interactions
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.
Using guanfacine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression , or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some may affect guanfacine, especially:
ketoconazole ; a barbiturate, such as phenobarbital ; blood pressure medications; medicine to treat mental illness; or a sedative, such as Valium or Xanax.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect guanfacine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins , and herbal products . Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Storage
Store in a well closed container, at room temperature, . Protect from Sunlight, Moisture and Heat.
Available Brands in Pakistan
No brands are recorded for this generic.