Frequently Asked Questions about ADHD and INTUNIV

Click on a question below to view answers to your most frequently asked questions.

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  • What is INTUNIV?

    INTUNIV is a prescription medicine used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in patients 6 to 17, either alone or in combination with ADHD stimulant medications. INTUNIV should be used as part of a total treatment program that may include counseling or other therapies. INTUNIV is not a controlled substance. INTUNIV was shown to work in clinical studies lasting up to 9 weeks.

  • How Is INTUNIV thought to work?

    INTUNIV is a nonstimulant. It is not known exactly how INTUNIV works in ADHD.

  • Is INTUNIV a stimulant?

    INTUNIV is not a stimulant and is not a controlled substance. INTUNIV has no known potential for abuse or dependence.

  • How should my child take INTUNIV?

    Your child should take INTUNIV exactly as prescribed by the doctor. INTUNIV comes in 4 doses—1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg—and is taken once a day. The doctor should start your child with 1 mg and adjust the dose to find the one that's right for your child. The right dose depends on your child's weight and response to INTUNIV. It may take a few weeks to see improvement in your child's ADHD symptoms.

    Do not change your child's dose unless directed by the doctor.

    INTUNIV should be swallowed whole with liquid, without crushing, chewing, or breaking the tablet. INTUNIV should not be taken with a high-fat meal. Tell the doctor if your child cannot swallow INTUNIV whole. The doctor will regularly check your child's blood pressure and heart rate.

  • Can my child take a break from taking INTUNIV?

    Your child should not stop taking INTUNIV or change the dose until you talk with the doctor. Talk with the doctor about what to do if your child does not take INTUNIV as prescribed. INTUNIV doses are gradually increased when your child starts to take it, and will need to be gradually decreased if you or your child's doctor decides to have your child stop taking INTUNIV. Talk to your child's doctor before making any changes to how your child takes INTUNIV.

    It is not known if INTUNIV works for longer than 9 weeks. The doctor will periodically review your child's symptoms.

  • What are the side effects of INTUNIV?

    INTUNIV may cause serious side effects including low blood pressure, low heart rate, fainting, and sleepiness.

    The most common side effects of INTUNIV are sleepiness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, low blood pressure, nausea, stomach pain, and dizziness.

  • What should be avoided while taking INTUNIV?

    You should know that your child should not drive or use machinery like lawn mowers or power tools until you know how INTUNIV affects your child. INTUNIV can slow thinking and motor skills. While taking INTUNIV, your child should not drink alcohol or take other medicines that can cause sleepiness or dizziness because these symptoms may get worse.

    Patients should drink plenty of water and not get overheated while taking INTUNIV.

  • What should I tell the doctor before my child takes INTUNIV?

    Before deciding if INTUNIV is an option for your child, the doctor needs to know if your child has low blood pressure, low heart rate, heart problems, has fainted, or has liver or kidney problems. Also tell the doctor if your child is pregnant or breast-feeding or plans to become pregnant or breast-feed, or has any other medical condition.

    Tell your child's doctor about all of the medicines your child takes, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

    INTUNIV may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how INTUNIV works.

    Especially tell your child's doctor if your child takes:

    • ketoconazole
    • medicines that can affect enzyme metabolism
    • valproic acid
    • high blood pressure medicine
    • sedatives
    • benzodiazepines
    • barbiturates
    • antipsychotics

    Know the medicines your child takes. Keep a list of them and show it to your child's doctor and pharmacist when your child is prescribed a new medicine.

    Ask your child's doctor or pharmacist for a list of the medicines your child takes.

  • What are the symptoms of ADHD?

    ADHD symptoms can vary from child to child. Symptoms include

    • lack of attention to details/careless mistakes
    • lack of sustained attention
    • poor listening skills
    • failure to follow through on tasks
    • poor organization
    • avoids tasks requiring sustained mental effort
    • loses things
    • easily distracted
    • forgetful
    • fidgeting/squirming
    • leaving seat
    • inappropriate running/climbing
    • difficulty with quiet activities
    • being "on the go"
    • excessive talking
    • blurting answers
    • unable to wait turn
    • being intrusive

    Learn more

  • What is guanfacine?

    Guanfacine is the active ingredient in INTUNIV. INTUNIV is a prescription medicine for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents ages 6 to 17.

  • Does Shire have a patient assistance program?

    At Shire, we strive to be as brave as the people we help. One of the ways we can do that is by helping provide access to medicine for those with financial need. That's why we created our patient assistance and support program, Shire Cares — to help you get the Shire medicines your physician has prescribed.

    Shire is dedicated to assisting patients with demonstrated financial need. If you don't have prescription insurance or are having trouble affording your prescription, Shire Cares may be able to help. Visit www.ShireCares.com for more information.

Answer questions about your child's ADHD symptoms to share with the doctor
Complete the Symptom Assessment
Get tools, resources, and more to help you learn about ADHD
Check out Parent Resources

INTUNIV is a prescription medicine used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in patients ages 6 to 17. INTUNIV may be used alone or added to an ADHD stimulant medicine. INTUNIV should be used as part of a total treatment plan that may include counseling or other therapies. INTUNIV was shown to work in clinical studies lasting up to 9 weeks.

Important Safety Information About INTUNIV

Patients should not take INTUNIV if they are allergic to guanfacine or other ingredients in INTUNIV, or are taking other medicines containing guanfacine (such as TENEX®). Tell the doctor about all medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements your child is taking.

INTUNIV may cause serious side effects including low blood pressure, low heart rate, fainting, and sleepiness.

Before starting INTUNIV, tell the doctor if your child has low blood pressure, low heart rate, heart problems, has fainted, has liver or kidney problems, or has any other medical condition. You should also tell the doctor if your child is pregnant, breast-feeding, or plans to become pregnant or breast-feed.

Patients should drink plenty of water and not get overheated while taking INTUNIV.

Patients should not drive or use machinery like lawn mowers or power tools, until they know how INTUNIV affects them. INTUNIV can slow thinking and motor skills. While taking INTUNIV, patients should not drink alcohol or take other medicines that can cause sleepiness or dizziness because these symptoms may get worse.

The most common side effects of INTUNIV include sleepiness, tiredness, trouble sleeping, low blood pressure, nausea, stomach pain, and dizziness.

INTUNIV should be swallowed whole without crushing, chewing, or breaking the tablet. INTUNIV should not be taken with a high-fat meal. Do not change the dose or stop INTUNIV without talking with the doctor. The doctor will regularly check your child's blood pressure and heart rate.

Please see Full Prescribing Information, including Patient Information.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Your Child's ADHD Symptoms
How often do you notice these symptoms in your child?
The Symptom Assessment can help the doctor evaluate symptoms of ADHD in your child. Fill out and print the following form to share with your family and your child's doctor.
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How often does your child have lack of attention to details or make careless mistakes on schoolwork/activities?
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Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child lack sustained attention in tasks?
Never
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Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child not seem to listen when spoken to?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child fail to follow through on tasks?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child have difficulty organizing activities?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child avoid tasks requiring
sustained mental effort?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child lose things?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often is your child easily distracted by noises/objects?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often is your child forgetful?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child have trouble with fidgeting/squirming?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child have trouble with leaving his/her seat in the classroom?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child engage in running/climbing in inappropriate situations?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child have difficulty playing quietly?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child seem "on the go"?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child engage in excessive talking?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child blurt out answers?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child have difficulty awaiting his/her turn?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often
How often does your child interrupt others?
Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
Very Often