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Frequently Asked Questions

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


What is INTUNIV?
INTUNIV is a prescription medicine for children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 with ADHD. Once-daily INTUNIV has been shown to improve a range of ADHD symptoms and behaviors, including not being able to focus, being easily distracted, arguing with adults, irritability, temper outbursts, interrupting others, and impulsiveness or overexcitement. INTUNIV is not a controlled substance. INTUNIV only needs to be taken once a day.
How does INTUNIV work?
INTUNIV is not a controlled substance and works differently than stimulant medications. Although it is not known exactly how INTUNIV works, guanfacine, the active ingredient in INTUNIV, has been shown to interact with certain receptors in the part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex (PFC). Research has shown that behaviors related to ADHD, such as inattention and impulsiveness, may be controlled in this part of the brain. In 2 clinical studies lasting 8 and 9 weeks, ADHD symptoms started to improve within 2 weeks. For most patients, symptom improvement continued over the course of the studies. It's important that your child take INTUNIV exactly as it was prescribed by your child's doctor.
Is INTUNIV a stimulant?
INTUNIV is not a stimulant. Stimulants work differently from INTUNIV and are controlled substances, which means that they are strictly regulated because of their potential for dependence and/or abuse.
How is INTUNIV given?
Your child should take INTUNIV exactly as prescribed. INTUNIV comes in 4 doses—1 mg, 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg—and is taken once a day. Your child's doctor will start with a low dose and adjust the dose as needed to balance symptom improvement and side effects. This process may take a couple of weeks at the start of treatment. In 2 clinical studies lasting 8 and 9 weeks, ADHD symptoms started to improve within 2 weeks. For most patients, symptom improvement continued over the course of the studies. Do not change your child's dose unless directed by the doctor.
Can I give my child "drug holidays" while on INTUNIV?
"Drug holidays" are a common term for taking your child off treatment when in an unorganized setting, such as during weekends or time off from school. 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. The effectiveness of INTUNIV for longer-term use (more than 9 weeks) has not been studied. 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.
What are the common side effects of INTUNIV?
Serious possible side effects of INTUNIV include low blood pressure, low heart rate, fainting, sleepiness, tiredness, and drowsiness. The most common side effects of INTUNIV in clinical studies included sleepiness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, headache, nausea, stomach pain, dry mouth, dizziness, irritability, constipation, and decreased appetite.
What other medications should I tell my child's doctor about before my child takes INTUNIV?
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 and associated behaviors can vary from child to child. Some symptoms and behaviors include being easily distracted, inattentiveness, running around or climbing excessively, being disorganized, arguing with adults, losing temper, deliberately annoying others, and being easily frustrated or irritable. Learn more.
Are behaviors such as temper outbursts and arguing with adults associated with ADHD?
Behaviors such as temper outbursts and arguing with adults are associated with ADHD. If you are concerned about your child's ADHD symptoms and behaviors, talk to your child's doctor about them. You can fill out the Doctor Discussion Guide to print and take with you to your child's next appointment. It may help you organize your thoughts, concerns, and questions.
What is guanfacine?
Guanfacine is the active ingredient in INTUNIV. Guanfacine lowers blood pressure and some medications that include guanfacine are prescribed for people with high blood pressure. INTUNIV is not indicated for high blood pressure and should only be used to treat ADHD.
 
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