One drug you may have heard of is Tenex. Tenex is the brand-name version of a generic drug called guanfacine. This drug is typically prescribed to treat high blood pressure. To learn more about what off-label drug use means, click here. Tenex can be used as a non-stimulant ADHD drug. Stimulants and non-stimulants are the two main types of drugs used to treat ADHD. Both types treat ADHD by helping to:. Stimulants are typically the first type of drug that doctors prescribe for ADHD.
For instance, stimulants may not work well for certain people or they may cause too many side effects, such as increased blood pressure, sleep problems, and reduced appetite. For these people, a non-stimulant drug such as Tenex may be a better option. A doctor may also prescribe a non-stimulant in the first place to avoid stimulant side effects from the start. Studies have not found Tenex to be safe and effective in children younger than 12 years.
The use of Tenex in this age group is not recommended. People aged 13 years and older can use Tenex. However, only a few small studies have found Tenex to be effective in treating ADHD in patients of this age range. Tenex may not cause quite as many side effects as stimulant drugs, but it can still cause side effects. The more common side effects from Tenex can include:.
All of these children had medical or family risk factors for bipolar disorder. Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that typically develops in children but can also occur in adults. Doctors typically prescribe stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate Ritalin , for people with ADHD. However, they may recommend trying a nonstimulant drug if other medications are ineffective or cause unwanted side effects.
Other reasons why they might try to avoid prescribing stimulant medications include a history of substance use disorder or the concern that this may occur in the future. In this article, we discuss the use and effectiveness of guanfacine for the treatment of ADHD.
We also cover dosage and side effects, as well as risks and considerations. Guanfacine is a type of medication called an alpha-2A adrenergic receptor agonist. Doctors prescribe it under the brand name Tenex to help lower blood pressure in people with hypertension. Guanfacine also comes in the form of extended release tablets under the brand name Intuniv, which the Food and Drug Administration FDA has approved for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents aged 6—17 years.
In addition to lowering blood pressure, guanfacine affects the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain that controls impulsivity and attention span. However, guanfacine acts on the brain in a different way than stimulants. Doctors usually recommend that people start at a low dosage and slowly build up to a safe and effective dosage to allow them to adjust to any side effects.
Due to this approach, it may take a few weeks for a person to experience the full benefits of this treatment. It is important to continue taking the medication as the doctor directs, even if the symptoms start to improve. People typically see an improvement in their ADHD symptoms within about 2 weeks of starting treatment, although some individuals may experience the benefit of the medication more quickly.
According to a drug review , although guanfacine has approval for the short-term treatment of ADHD in children aged 6—17 years, it appears to be most effective in those up to the age of 12 years. Research showed that children who took 1—4 milligrams mg of guanfacine had an average score decrease on the ADHD Rating Scale-IV of 17—21 points, compared with a reduction of 9—12 points in those who took a placebo.
A lower score indicates less severe symptoms. Intuniv is available as 1-mg, 2-mg, 3-mg, and 4-mg extended release tablets. The extended release form has a slower absorption rate and longer half-life, which means that people do not need to take more than one dose per day and makes it more suitable for children. The manufacturer recommends starting at a dosage of 1 mg per day and increasing this incrementally by no more than 1 mg per week.
The maximum recommended dosage is 4 mg per day. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides.
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Updated visitor guidelines. Top of the page. Intuniv slide 15 of 41, Intuniv,. Intuniv slide 16 of 41, Intuniv,. Intuniv slide 17 of 41, Intuniv,.
Intuniv slide 18 of 41, Intuniv,. Tenex slide 41 of 41, Tenex,. What is the most important information I should know about guanfacine? What is guanfacine? Guanfacine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking guanfacine?
You should not use guanfacine if you are allergic to it. How should I take guanfacine? Take Intuniv with a full glass of water, milk, or other liquid. Swallow the Intuniv tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.
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