Intuniv vs. Adderall

• Are Adderall and Intuniv the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Intuniv?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Adderall?
• What is Intuniv?
• What is Adderall?
• What Drugs Interact with Intuniv?
• What Drugs Interact with Adderall?
• How Should Intuniv Be Taken?
• How Should Adderall Be Taken?

Intuniv (guanfacine) and Adderall (amphetamine and dextroamphetamine salts) are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Unlike other drugs used to treat ADHD, Intuniv is not a stimulant.

Intuniv is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and is often given together with other blood pressure medications.

Adderall is also used to treat narcolepsy.

Intuniv and Adderall belong to different drug classes. Intuniv is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist and Adderall is an amphetamine.

Side effects of Intuniv and Adderall that are similar include dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, nausea, headache, stomach pain, or irritability.

Side effects of Intuniv that are different from Adderall include drowsiness, tiredness, or weight gain.

Side effects of Adderall that are different from Intuniv include nervousness, restlessness, excitability, agitation, fear, anxiety, agitation, tremor, weakness, blurred vision, sleep problems (insomnia), unpleasant taste in the mouth, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of interest in sex, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm, increased blood

pressure, increased heart rate, and heart palpitations.

Both Intuniv and Adderall may interact with antihistamines, anti-seizure drugs, or psychiatric medicines.

Intuniv may also interact with azole antifungals, rifamycins, medicine for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, narcotics, or cough-and-cold and other over-the-counter products that may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients.

Adderall may also interact with heart or blood pressure medications, diuretics (water pills), acetazolamide, chlorpromazine, meperidine, methenamine, phenobarbital, reserpine, ammonium chloride, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), potassium phosphate, antacids, sodium bicarbonate (Alka-Seltzer), potassium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid, sodium citrate and potassium, stomach acid reducers, or antidepressants.

Common side effects of Intuniv include:

• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• dry mouth,
• constipation,
• tiredness,
• nausea,
• headache,
• stomach pain,
• weight gain, or
• irritability.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Intuniv including:

• severe dizziness,
• slow heartbeat,
• fainting, or
• mental/mood changes (such as depression, hallucinations, or thoughts of suicide).

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

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeats;
• pain or burning when you urinate;
• talking more than usual, feelings of extreme happiness or sadness;
• tremors, hallucinations, unusual behavior, or motor tics (muscle twitches); or
• dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure).

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache, weakness, dizziness, blurred vision;
• feeling restless, irritable, or agitated,
• sleep problems (insomnia);
• dry mouth or an unpleasant taste in your mouth;
• diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting;
• fever;
• hair loss, loss of appetite, weight loss; or
• loss of interest in sex, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

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.

Intuniv (guanfacine) is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in patients older than 6 years of age, as part of a total treatment plan including psychological, educational, and social measures. Unlike other drugs used to treat ADHD, Intuniv is not a stimulant. Intuniv is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and is often given together with other blood pressure medications.

Adderall is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Adderall may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

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

Adderall is also used in the treatment of a sleep disorder called narcolepsy.

Adderall is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep Adderall in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Adderall may harm others, and is against the law.

Intuniv may interact with valproic acid, azole antifungals, rifamycins, antihistamines, anti-seizure drugs, medicine for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers, psychiatric medicines, or cough-and-cold and other over-the-counter products that may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. During pregnancy, Intuniv should be used only when prescribed.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you or your child take including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Adderall and some medicines may interact with each other and cause serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines will need to be adjusted while taking Adderall.

Your doctor will decide whether Adderall can be taken with other medicines.

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child take:

• anti-depression medicines including MAOIs
• blood pressure medicines
• seizure medicines
• blood thinner medicines
• cold or allergy medicines that contain decongestants
• stomach acid medicines

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

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

Intuniv is an extended-release tablet dosed once daily. Starting dose is 1 mg/day, and the maintenance dose is in the range of 1-4 mg once daily, depending on clinical response and tolerability.

• Take Adderall exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.
• Adderall tablets are usually taken two to three times a day. The first dose is usually taken when you first wake in the morning. One or two more doses may be taken during the day, 4 to 6 hours apart.
• Adderall can be taken with or without food.
• From time to time, your doctor may stop Adderall treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.
• Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking Adderall. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Adderall. Adderall treatment may be stopped if a problem is found during these check-ups.
• If you or your child take too much Adderall or overdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.