Intuniv Xr

The recommended starting dose for Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) is 1 mg taken once daily. Your child's doctor may gradually increase the dose, based on the effectiveness and side effects of the medication. The maximum daily dose for children 6 to 12 years of age is 4 mg, taken once a day. For adolescents 13 to 17 years of age, the maximum daily dose is 7 mg when used alone or 4 mg when used in combination with another medication for ADHD.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) should be swallowed whole with a small amount of liquid. Do not chew or crush the tablet as this will cause the medication to be absorbed into the body all at once, possibly causing more side effects.

Avoid taking Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) along with a meal that is high in fat.

It is important that Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) is stopped suddenly, both blood pressure and heart rate can increase. If you feel the need to stop the medication, it should be done gradually under supervision of your doctor.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice. If more than 2 doses in a row are missed, contact your doctor for instructions, since you may need to restart at a lower dose.

Store Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

1 mg
Each white-to-off-white, round tablet, debossed "503" on the top and "1 mg" on the bottom, contains Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) hydrochloride equivalent to 1 mg of Intuniv XR (Guanfacine). Nonmedicinal ingredients: crospovidone, fumaric acid, glyceryl behenate, hypromellose, lactose, methacrylic acid copolymer, microcrystalline cellulose, and povidone.

2 mg
Each white-to-off-white, oblong tablet, debossed "503" on the top and "2 mg" on the bottom, contains Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) hydrochloride equivalent to 2 mg of Intuniv XR (Guanfacine). Nonmedicinal ingredients: crospovidone, fumaric acid, glyceryl behenate, hypromellose, lactose, methacrylic acid copolymer, microcrystalline cellulose, and povidone.

3 mg
Each green, round tablet, debossed "503" on the top and "3 mg" on the bottom, contains Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) hydrochloride equivalent to 3 mg of Intuniv XR (Guanfacine). Nonmedicinal ingredients: crospovidone, fumaric acid, glyceryl behenate, hypromellose, lactose, methacrylic acid copolymer, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, and green pigment blend PB-17633.

4 mg
Each green, oblong tablet, debossed "503" on the top and "4 mg" on the bottom, contains Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) hydrochloride equivalent to 4 mg of Intuniv XR (Guanfacine). Nonmedicinal ingredients: crospovidone, fumaric acid, glyceryl behenate, hypromellose, lactose, methacrylic acid copolymer, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone, and green pigment blend PB-17633.

Do not give Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) to your child if they are allergic to Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) or any ingredients of the medication.

Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) is not intended to be used by children less than 6 years old or adults over the age of 17 years.

There may be an interaction between Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) and any of the following:

• alcohol
• Aldesleukin
• Aliskiren
• alpha-agonists (e.g., Clonidine, methyldopa)
• alpha-blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• amifostine
• Amiodarone
• amphetamines (e.g., dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine)
• angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; e.g., Captopril, Lisinopril, Ramipril)
• angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; e.g., Candesartan, Irbesartan, Losartan)
• antihistamines (e.g., cetirizine, doxylamine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• Apalutamide
• Aprepitant
• azelastine
• "azole" antifungal agents (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, Voriconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, Phenobarbital)
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, sotalol)
• Bicalutamide
• Bosentan
• brimonidine
• Buspirone
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• cannabis
• chloral hydrate
• conivaptan
• Cyclosporine
• Deferasirox
• dexmethylphenidate
• diazoxide
• Digoxin
• Dexamethasone
• Dronedarone
• Enzalutamide
• Fingolimod
• Galantamine
• general anesthetics (medications used to put people to sleep before surgery)
• grapefruit juice
• HIV non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs; e.g., delavirdine, efavirenz, etravirine, nevirapine)
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., atazanavir, indinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• Lanreotide
• levodopa
• Lomitapide
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• Methadone
• methylphenidate
• mifepristone
• Mirtazapine
• Mitotane
• Modafinil
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine, Tizanidine)
• Nabilone
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• nitrates (e.g., Nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate)
• Obinutuzumab
• Octreotide
• Olopatadine
• Pasireotide
• Pentoxifylline
• phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)
• Pramipexole
• rifabutin
• rifampin
• Rivastigmine
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• St. John's wort
• scopolamine
• seizure medications (e.g., Carbamazepine, Clobazam, Levetiracetam, phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (e.g., Desvenlafaxine, Duloxetine, Venlafaxine)
• siltuximab
• sodium oxybate (GHB)
• Tapentadol
• thalidomide
• Tocilizumab
• Tofacitinib
• Tramadol
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Trimipramine)
• tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g., Crizotinib, Dabrafenib, imatinib)
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Intuniv XR (Guanfacine). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Intuniv XR (Guanfacine).

Abnormal heart rhythms: Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Certain medications (e.g., Sotalol, quinidine, Chlorpromazine, Pimozide, moxifloxacin, Mefloquine, pentamidine, Tacrolimus) can increase the risk of a type of abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation, and should not be used in combination with Intuniv XR (Guanfacine). If you have been told that your child is at an increased risk of developing an abnormal heart rhythm, discuss with your doctor how Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Intuniv XR (Guanfacine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Blood pressure and heart rate: Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) may cause decreases in blood pressure or heart rate. If you have low blood pressure or are just starting to take Intuniv XR (Guanfacine), you should move slowly when you are rising from a sitting or lying down position to reduce the risk of dizziness.

Drowsiness and reduced alertness: Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) may affect the mental or physical abilities needed to perform tasks that require special attention. Have your child avoid riding a bike, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous tasks until you have determined how Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) affects your child.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If your child has reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) may affect their medical condition, how their medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Intuniv XR (Guanfacine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If your child has liver problems, discuss with their doctor how Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) may affect their medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Intuniv XR (Guanfacine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Psychiatric and behavioural concerns: Medications used to treat ADHD, including Intuniv XR (Guanfacine), may increase symptoms of mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, psychosis, or Depression. Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) may cause people to feel agitated (restless, anxious, aggressive, emotional) and not like themselves. If you experience these side effects or notice them in a family member who is taking Intuniv XR (Guanfacine), contact your doctor immediately. Your child should be closely monitored by your doctor for emotional and behaviour changes while taking Intuniv XR (Guanfacine).

Self-harm and suicide risk: People with ADHD may have a slightly increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours. Like other medications for ADHD, Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) may contribute to this risk. It is important to watch for suicidal thoughts and behaviors and encourage your child to report any worrisome thoughts or feelings to you. Report any concerns to your child's doctor immediately.

Stopping the medication: If Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) needs to be stopped, it should be done gradually, under the supervision of your doctor. Suddenly stopping Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) can cause increased blood pressure and heart rate, which, although rare, can cause serious complications, including swelling in the brain. Your doctor can advise you on how to reduce the medication slowly to reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure. If your child complains of headaches or seems confused, nervous, agitated, or has tremors, contact your child's doctor immediately.

Pregnancy: Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Intuniv XR (Guanfacine), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Intuniv XR (Guanfacine), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) have not been established for children less than 6 years old. The effectiveness of using Intuniv XR (Guanfacine) to treat ADHD has not been established for adolescents more than 17 years old.