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Tenex vs. Strattera

 

Are Tenex and Strattera the Same Thing?

Tenex (guanfacine hydrochloride) and Strattera (atomoxetine) are used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Tenex is used off-label to treat ADHD. Tenex is primarily used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension).

Tenex and Strattera belong to different drug classes. Tenex is an antihypertensive drug and Strattera is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI).

Side effects of Tenex and Strattera that are similar include dry mouth, sleepiness/drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, impotence, and trouble sleeping (insomnia).

Side effects of Tenex that are different from Strattera include weakness, headache, and fatigue.

Side effects of Strattera that are different from Tenex include cough, decreased appetite, upset stomach, nausea or vomiting, irritability, skin rash, itching, increased menstrual cramps, and sexual side effects including loss of interest in sex or trouble having an orgasm.

Both Tenex and Strattera may interact with antihistamines, narcotics, or sleep medicines.

Tenex may also interact with valproic acid, azole antifungals, rifamycins, other products that cause drowsiness (such as alcohol, drugs for anxiety, and muscle relaxants), cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Strattera may also interact with albuterol, amiodarone, bupropion, celecoxib, cimetidine, doxorubicin, metoclopramide, quinidine, ritonavir, ranitidine, terbinafine, or antidepressants.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Tenex?

Side effects of Tenex include:

  • drowsiness,
  • dizziness,
  • nausea,
  • diarrhea,
  • stomach pain,
  • loss of appetite,
  • shaking,
  • muscle stiffness,
  • weight gain,
  • mask-like facial expression,
  • inability to keep still,
  • restlessness,
  • agitation,
  • blurred vision,
  • breast swelling or discharge,
  • missed menstrual periods,
  • decreased sex drive,
  • impotence, or
  • difficulty having an orgasm.

Tell your doctor right if you experience serious side effects of Tenex including:

  • drooling,
  • trouble swallowing,
  • fainting,
  • signs of infection (such as persistent cough, fever)
  • fast or uneven or pounding heartbeats;
  • agitation, hostility, confusion, thoughts about hurting yourself,
  • seizures (convulsions),
  • fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms,
  • sores in your mouth and throat,
  • high blood sugar (increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, blurred vision, weight loss),
  • very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, tremors, feeling like you might pass out, or
  • twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Strattera?

  • trouble sleeping (insomnia),
  • dry mouth,
  • cough,
  • decreased appetite,
  • upset stomach,
  • nausea or vomiting,
  • dizziness,
  • drowsiness,
  • irritability,
  • constipation,
  • skin rash,
  • itching,
  • increased menstrual cramps, and
  • sexual side effects including
    • impotence,
    • loss of interest in sex, or
    • trouble having an orgasm.

What Is Tenex?

Tenex (lurasidone hydrochloride) is an atypical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia.

What Is Strattera?

Strattera is a selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor medicine. It is used for the treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Strattera may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

Strattera should be used as a part of a total treatment program for ADHD that may include counseling or other therapies.

Strattera has not been studied in children less than 6 years old.

 

What Drugs Interact With Tenex?

Tenex may interact with other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety), antibiotics, antifungal medications, or medications to treat HIV or AIDS.

Tenex may also interact with diltiazem or rifamycins.

What Drugs Interact With Strattera?

Tell your doctor about all the medicines that you or your child takes including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Strattera and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Your doctor will decide whether Strattera can be taken with other medicines.

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child takes:

  • asthma medicines
  • anti-depression medicines including MAOIs
  • blood pressure medicines
  • cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants

Know the medicines that you or your child takes. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start any new medicine while taking Strattera without talking to your doctor first.

 

How Should Tenex Be Taken?

The recommended starting dose of Tenex is 40 mg once daily, and it has been shown to be effective in a dose range of 40 mg/day to 160 mg/day.

How Should Strattera Be Taken?

  • Take Strattera exactly as prescribed. Strattera comes in different dose strength capsules. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
  • Do not chew, crush, or open the capsules. Swallow Strattera capsules whole with water or other liquids. Tell your doctor if you or your child cannot swallow Strattera whole. A different medicine may need to be prescribed.
  • Avoid touching a broken Strattera capsule. Wash hands and surfaces that touched an open Strattera capsule. If any of the powder gets in your eyes or your child's eyes, rinse them with water right away and call your doctor.
  • Strattera can be taken with or without food.
  • Strattera is usually taken once or twice a day. Take Strattera at the same time each day to help you remember. If you miss a dose of Strattera, take it as soon as you remember that day. If you miss a day of Strattera, do not double your dose the next day. Just skip the day you missed.
  • From time to time, your doctor may stop Strattera treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
  • Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking Strattera. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Strattera. Strattera treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
  • If you or your child takes too much Strattera or overdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.