Intuniv vs. Concerta

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

Intuniv (guanfacine) and Concerta (methylphenidate extended release tablets) are used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

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

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

Intuniv and Concerta belong to different drug classes. Intuniv is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist and Concerta is a central nervous system stimulant.

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

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

Side effects of Concerta that are different from Intuniv include loss of appetite, vomiting, sleep problems (insomnia), anxiety, weight loss, vision problems, skin rash, nervousness, numbness/tingling/cold feeling in the hands or feet, and sweating.

Both Intuniv and Concerta may interact with anti-seizure drugs.

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

Concerta may also interact with MAO inhibitors, blood thinners, clonidine, dobutamine, epinephrine, isoproterenol, cold/allergy medicine that contains phenylephrine (a decongestant), potassium citrate, sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate, citric acid and potassium citrate, sodium citrate and citric acid, medications to treat high or low blood pressure, stimulant medications, diet pills, 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).

Common side effects of Concerta include:

• stomach pain,
• loss of appetite,
• headache,
• dry mouth,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• anxiety,
• dizziness,
• weight loss,
• irritability,
• vision problems,
• skin rash,
• nervousness,
• numbness/tingling/cold feeling in the hands or feet, and
• sweating.

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.

Concerta is a central nervous system stimulant prescription medicine. It is used for the treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Concerta may help increase attention and decrease impulsiveness and hyperactivity in patients with ADHD.

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

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

Tell your doctor if you or your child has (or has a family history of) ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs.

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 if you or your child is pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

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

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

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child takes:

• antidepression medicines including MAOIs
• seizure medicines
• blood thinner medicines
• 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 Concerta 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 Concerta exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.

Do not chew, crush, or divide the tablets.

Swallow Concerta tablets whole with water or other liquids. Tell your doctor if you or your child cannot swallow Concerta whole. A different medicine may need to be prescribed.

Concerta can be taken with or without food.

Take Concerta once each day in the morning. Concerta is an extended-release tablet. It releases medication into your or your child's body throughout the day.

The Concerta tablet does not dissolve completely in the body after all the medicine has been released. You or your child may sometimes notice the empty tablet in a bowel movement. This is normal.

From time to time, your doctor may stop Concerta treatment for a while to check ADHD symptoms.

Your doctor may do regular checks of the blood, heart, and blood pressure while taking Concerta. Children should have their height and weight checked often while taking Concerta. Concerta treatment may be topped if a problem is found during these check-ups.

If you or your child takes too much Concerta or verdoses, call your doctor or poison control center right away, or get emergency treatment.