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guanfacine

guanfacine

Pronunciation: GWAHN fa seen

Brand: Intuniv, Tenex

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 1 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

1 mg, oval, white, imprinted with TEVA, 5960

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 1 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 2 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

2 mg, oval, white, imprinted with TEVA, 5961

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 2 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 3 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

3 mg, oval, white, imprinted with TEVA, 5963

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 3 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 4 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

4 mg, oval, white, imprinted with TEVA, 5964

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 4 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 5 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

1 mg, round, orange, imprinted with LOGO, 850

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 5 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 6 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

2 mg, oval, orange, imprinted with LOGO, 851

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 6 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 7 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

3 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with LOGO, 853

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 7 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 8 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

4 mg, oval, yellow, imprinted with LOGO, 855

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 8 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 9 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

1 mg, round, white, imprinted with M, G4

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 9 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 10 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

2 mg, round, blue, imprinted with M, G5

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 10 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 11 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

1 mg, round, pink, imprinted with WATSON 444

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 11 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 12 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

2 mg, round, red, imprinted with WATSON 453

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 12 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 13 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

1 mg, oval, white, imprinted with AN, 711

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 13 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 14 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

2 mg, oval, white, imprinted with AN, 713

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 14 of 41

Intuniv

slide 15 of 41, Intuniv,

1 mg, round, white, imprinted with 503 1mg

Image of Intuniv
slide 15 of 41

Intuniv

slide 16 of 41, Intuniv,

2 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with 503, 2MG

Image of Intuniv
slide 16 of 41

Intuniv

slide 17 of 41, Intuniv,

3 mg, round, green, imprinted with 503, 3MG

Image of Intuniv
slide 17 of 41

Intuniv

slide 18 of 41, Intuniv,

4 mg, oblong, green, imprinted with 503, 4MG

Image of Intuniv
slide 18 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 19 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

1 mg, oval, white, imprinted with AN, 711

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 19 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 20 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

2 mg, oval, white, imprinted with AN, 713

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 20 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 21 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

1 mg, oval, white, imprinted with AN, 711

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 21 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 22 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

1 mg, round, pink, imprinted with WATSON 444

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 22 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 23 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

2 mg, oval, white, imprinted with AN, 713

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 23 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 24 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

2 mg, round, blue, imprinted with M, G5

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 24 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 25 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

1 mg, round, white, imprinted with A533, 1 mg

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 25 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 26 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

1 mg, round, white, imprinted with A533, 1 mg

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 26 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 27 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

1 mg, round, orange, imprinted with LOGO, 850

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 27 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 28 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

1 mg, round, white, imprinted with RJ70

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 28 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 29 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

2 mg, capsule, white, imprinted with A534, 2 mg

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 29 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 30 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

2 mg, oval, white, imprinted with A534, 2 mg

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 30 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 31 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

2 mg, oval, orange, imprinted with LOGO, 851

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 31 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 32 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

2 mg, oval, white, imprinted with RJ71

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 32 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 33 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

3 mg, round, blue, imprinted with A536, 3 mg

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 33 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 34 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

3 mg, round, blue, imprinted with A536, 3 mg

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 34 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 35 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

3 mg, round, yellow, imprinted with LOGO, 853

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 35 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 36 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

3 mg, round, green, imprinted with RJ72

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 36 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 37 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

4 mg, oval, blue, imprinted with A538, 4 mg

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 37 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 38 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

4 mg, oval, blue, imprinted with A538, 4 mg

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 38 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 39 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

4 mg, oval, yellow, imprinted with LOGO, 855

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 39 of 41

GuanFACINE Hydrochloride

slide 40 of 41, GuanFACINE Hydrochloride,

4 mg, oval, green, imprinted with RJ73

Image of GuanFACINE Hydrochloride
slide 40 of 41

Tenex

slide 41 of 41, Tenex,

2 mg, diamond, yellow, imprinted with TENEX, 2 AHR

Image of Tenex
slide 41 of 41

What is the most important information I should know about guanfacine?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is guanfacine?

Guanfacine reduces nerve impulses in your heart and blood vessels. Guanfacine works by relaxing blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

The Tenex brand of guanfacine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes given with other blood pressure medications.

The Intuniv brand of guanfacine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

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.

Intuniv is not approved for use by anyone younger than 6 years old. Tenex is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • heart problems, coronary artery disease (clogged arteries);
  • a heart rhythm disorder;
  • a heart attack or stroke;
  • high or low blood pressure;
  • liver disease; or
  • kidney disease.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to breast-feed a baby while you are using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risks.

How should I take guanfacine?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take Intuniv with a full glass of water, milk, or other liquid.

Take Tenex at bedtime to ease drowsiness.

Swallow the Intuniv tablet whole and do not crush, chew, or break it.

If a child is using this medicine, tell your doctor if the child has any changes in weight. Intuniv doses are based on weight in children, and any changes may affect your child's dose.

You should not stop using guanfacine suddenly. Stopping suddenly can raise your blood pressure and cause unpleasant symptoms.

Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting and cannot take your medicine as usual.

Your dose needs may change if you switch to a different brand, strength, or form of this medicine. Avoid medication errors by using only the form and strength your doctor prescribes.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Your blood pressure and heart rate may also need to be checked.

If you have high blood pressure, keep using Tenex even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Avoid taking guanfacine with high-fat foods, or your body could absorb the medicine too quickly.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss more than 2 doses in a row.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, slow heart rate, and feeling like you might pass out.

What should I avoid while taking guanfacine?

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of guanfacine.

What are the possible side effects of guanfacine?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

  • anxiety, nervousness;
  • hallucinations (especially in children);
  • severe drowsiness;
  • slow heartbeats; or
  • a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

If you stop taking guanfacine, tell your doctor if you have headaches, confusion, rapid heartbeats, tremors, increased blood pressure, or if you feel nervous or agitated. If left untreated, these symptoms could lead to very high blood pressure, vision problems, or seizures.

Common side effects may include:

  • dizziness, drowsiness;
  • low blood pressure, slow heartbeats;
  • feeling tired or irritable;
  • trouble sleeping;
  • dry mouth; or
  • stomach pain, nausea, constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect guanfacine?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

Using guanfacine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some may affect guanfacine, especially:

  • ketoconazole;
  • a barbiturate, such as phenobarbital;
  • blood pressure medications;
  • medicine to treat mental illness; or
  • a sedative, such as Valium or Xanax.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect guanfacine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about guanfacine.

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.

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