Over the next 4 to 7 weeks, the dose may be slowly increased based on the child’s age and weight. It’s important that you speak with your child’s doctor if you want to stop the medication, as discontinuing may require slow tapering to avoid a rise in blood pressure. The typical dosage of guanfacine IR for ADHD is 0.5 mg to 1 mg between one and four times daily. However, doctors will often begin with the smallest, most effective dose, taking various criteria into consideration. The tablets should not be crushed, chewed, or broken before swallowing.įor Intuniv, your child can often be given a 1-milligram (mg) dose once per day. Guanfacine ER or Intuniv should be taken as a tablet by mouth. What is the dosage of guanfacine for ADHD? Do you know what side effects I may have from this drug?.Will my health insurance cover this off-label drug use?.Are there other approved drugs available that can do the same thing?.Why did you prescribe an off-label use of this drug?.Examples of questions you may ask include: You have a right to be involved in any decisions about your care. If your doctor prescribes a drug for off-label use, you should feel free to ask any questions you may have. So your doctor can prescribe a drug however they think is best for your care. This is because the FDA regulates the testing and approval of drugs but not how doctors use drugs to treat their patients. However, a doctor can still use the drug for the unregulated purpose. Off-label drug use means that a drug that’s FDA approved for one purpose is used for a different purpose that has not been approved. One study found that guanfacine IR (formerly Tenex) users had significantly higher rates of treatment discontinuation than those taking Intuniv for ADHD.Įven so, some doctors will prescribe guanfacine IR for ADHD. However, there is less evidence to support the use of guanfacine IR in the treatment of ADHD. The scale includes scores for hyperactive, impulsive, and inattentive tendencies.īoth guanfacine IR and guanfacine ER contain guanfacine, but they release differently into the body due to a difference in the formulation. During these studies, Intuniv was found to decrease scores on the ADHD Rating Scale-IV by an average of 15 to 23 points, compared with 10 to 18 points for those people who received placebo medication. The effectiveness of Intuniv is based on the results of clinical trials in children and adolescents. While guanfacine ER is not currently approved for use in adults, research shows the medication could be as effective in treating ADHD in adults. Depending on the person’s age, the recommendations may vary. Treatment approaches that combine behavioral therapy and medication have shown to be the most effective compared with using either treatment alone. Intuniv is an extended-release (ER) formulation of guanfacine that may be given in addition to stimulants or as part of a treatment program that also includes psychological counseling and educational measures. In these cases, a nonstimulant medication like guanfacine may be a good option. The child or adolescent has a medical condition for which stimulants should not be used.The child or adolescent has substance use disorder.Stimulants cause too many side effects.Stimulants aren’t working well in managing ADHD symptoms.The person is a child between ages 6 and 17 years. A doctor might consider using a nonstimulant medication like guanfacine for ADHD if: The medication appears to be most effective in children ages 12 years or younger.įor some people with ADHD, stimulant medications aren’t the best choice.
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