Key Highlights
- Extended-release guanfacine (Intuniv) is used to manage ADHD symptoms. Unlike many treatment options for ADHD, guanfacine is not a stimulant.
- It works by acting on certain receptors in the brain, helping with attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
- Some people may notice small changes in just a few days after starting guanfacine, but it often takes a few weeks to establish how well the medication is likely to work at a particular dosage.
- While guanfacine is not addictive, it’s important to note that stopping the medication suddenly may have harmful effects, including sharp increases in blood pressure. It’s important to take guanfacine consistently, as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- Individual differences in metabolism can affect how fast the medication works.
- Being patient and talking openly with your healthcare provider during the first few weeks of taking guanfacine is important.
Introduction
Navigating ADHD treatment of ADHD can feel like a unique journey. There are various treatment options, and it’s helpful to become more familiar with each of the treatments you and your healthcare provider may discuss.
Extended-release guanfacine (Intuniv) is a non-stimulant medication that isn’t a controlled substance and provides another way to treat ADHD. This blog will explore what to expect during the first week of taking guanfacine if you and your provider determine it’s the right option for you.
Understanding Guanfacine: What Is It?
Guanfacine, also called Intuniv, is different from the usual stimulant medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While many stimulants focus on dopamine and norepinephrine, guanfacine works differently.
This medicine targets the brain's alpha-2 adrenergic receptors. When these receptors are activated, guanfacine helps manage brain functions, which can help people handle issues like inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. Because of this unique approach, guanfacine is an important option for treating ADHD.
The Role of Guanfacine in Treating ADHD
Guanfacine may be a helpful option for many people managing ADHD. It helps with more than just attention and impulsivity by also supporting emotional regulation.
A primary goal of therapy is often to help individuals feel calm and focused. This improvement may ultimately lead to better grades in school, increased productivity at work, and healthier relationships with others.
Guanfacine has been primarily studied and used in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years and can be used either alone or in combination with stimulants.
Guanfacine vs. Other ADHD Medications
While stimulant medications like Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate) are often the initial course of action for ADHD, non-stimulant options, such as Intuniv (guanfacine) and Strattera (atomoxetine), present alternative pathways to symptom management.
Stimulants typically work by increasing dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, improving focus and concentration. On the other hand, non-stimulants take a different approach, as is the case with guanfacine's regulation of alpha-2 adrenergic receptors.
The choice between stimulant and non-stimulant medications depends on individual needs, medical history, and potential side effects.
The Mechanism: How Guanfacine Affects the Brain
Guanfacine moves through the central nervous system and connects with specific adrenergic receptors, like a key that fits into a lock. This action helps reduce the activity of the sympathetic nervous system, producing a calming effect that also lowers heart rate and blood pressure.
Many of these receptors are found in the prefrontal cortex, which is important because it helps with planning, decision-making, and attention. By changing how this area works, guanfacine may help promote improved focus, emotional regulation, and less impulsivity.
It’s important to note that because guanfacine affects heart rate and blood pressure, stopping the medication suddenly may cause an imbalance that results in rapid increases in blood pressure. Also, blood pressure drops may cause light-headedness or dizziness, particularly early in therapy.
Immediate Effects vs. Long-term Benefits
Guanfacine works more slowly than stimulants. It can take time to become accustomed to its effects and develop a sense of how well it may work for you at a particular dose.
You will start with a low dose and then gradually increase it. Increasing the dose by more than 1mg per week is not recommended, so reaching the intended dose can take several weeks. The dose is increased slowly to minimize the risk of side effects. As the body adjusts to the medication, you may notice changes like a drop in heart rate, dizziness, or tiredness, which might indicate low blood pressure.
If you feel you may fall or experience chest pain, it is important to consult your doctor.
As the weeks pass and your body adjusts, you may be better able to give feedback to your healthcare provider about any changes in your focus, attention, or emotional management. Evaluating changes and finding the right dose can take time, so it’s important to be patient.
Why Patience Is Key with Guanfacine
Embracing the long-term benefits of guanfacine requires patience. You will slowly see its full effects over time. Often, it takes several weeks before you notice important changes in ADHD symptoms.
This slow start highlights how important it is to stick to your treatment. You should take the medication as your healthcare provider prescribes, even if you don’t see immediate results. Like tending to a garden, growing the positive changes from guanfacine takes time and dedication. It’s also important not to stop the medication suddenly because it can lead to imbalances and side effects.
Keep in mind everyone's experience with medication is different. Genetic testing for ADHD may help identify the right medication at the correct dosage based on your genetics. This helps improve treatment time and reduce trial and error of multiple medications.
The First Week on Guanfacine
Starting a new medication can feel new and strange. With guanfacine, you usually begin with a low daily dose. This dose will go up slowly as your body gets used to it. Throughout the first week, you’ll likely still be on a low dose to help reduce the risk of side effects. It’s important to watch how your body reacts and share any side effects with your healthcare provider.
Guanfacine is usually well tolerated, but some individuals experience side effects like dry mouth, drowsiness, or dizziness. You might also feel more emotional during this time. Some of these effects may improve as your body adjusts, but it’s important to let your healthcare provider know about any changes you experience.
The End of the First Week: Assessing Your Progress
As your first week on guanfacine comes to an end, take a moment to think about any small changes you may be feeling, including whether you feel sick (nausea), experience stomach pain, or have been feeling dizzy or drowsy. It’s still early in your treatment, but this time can give you important information about how your body responds to the medication.
Now is a good time to make sure you have a follow-up appointment and discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider. When you have your first follow-up, your provider may ask you about any changes you’ve noticed, any side effects you might have, and how well your symptoms are improving. This teamwork helps make sure your treatment plan fits your needs.
When considering treatment options your genetics can also play a vital role in determining which medications will be best suited for you. A simple test can help reduce the trial and error process associated with finding the right medication. Find out more by visiting www.clarityxdna.com
Keep in mind that patience and clear communication are key during this time. The road to managing ADHD effectively can be long, but with help from your healthcare provider, you are moving toward better well-being.
Conclusion
Knowing what to expect when you start guanfacine can help improve your transition. Remember, patience is key, as many benefits may develop gradually over time. During the first week of using guanfacine, the focus is primarily on ensuring your body responds well to the medication. Maintaining open communication with your healthcare provider and letting them know about any concerns you may have is important because it can help you make the adjustments that ultimately lead to your success.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can improvements be noticed?
Some people might feel slight changes early, but most notice better attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder symptoms after a few weeks. Remember that each person responds differently to ADHD medication.
Are there any immediate side effects to be aware of?
Guanfacine's common side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, and sleepiness. These effects may disappear as the body gets used to the medication, but discussing how you feel with your healthcare provider is important.
Can guanfacine be used in conjunction with other ADHD medications?
Yes, sometimes healthcare providers may suggest using guanfacine along with other ADHD medications. This is especially true if one medication alone does not control the symptoms well. However, it's important to talk with your healthcare provider about any possible drug interactions.
Resources:
https://www.drugs.com/mtm/guanfacine.html
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/alpha-2-adrenergic-receptor
https://clarityxdna.com/blog/how-long-does-it-take-for-adderall-to-work-quick-guide/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/prefrontal-cortex
https://clarityxdna.com/blog/learn/pharmacogenetics-testing/
https://clarityxdna.com/products/mindwell
