Intuniv vs. Ritalin

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

Intuniv (guanfacine) and Ritalin (methylphenidate) 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.

Ritalin is also used to treat narcolepsy.

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

Side effects of Intuniv and Ritalin that are similar include dizziness, nausea, headache, or stomach pain.

Side effects of Intuniv that are different from Ritalin include dry mouth, irritability, drowsiness, constipation, tiredness, or weight gain.

Side effects of Ritalin that are different from Intuniv include nervousness, agitation, anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia), loss of appetite, weight loss, vomiting, palpitations, vision problems, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, sweating, skin rash, psychosis, and numbness, tingling, or cold feeling in your hands or feet.

Both Intuniv and Ritalin may interact with seizure medicines.

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.

Ritalin may also interact with 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.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Ritalin.

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 Ritalin include:

• nervousness,
• agitation,
• anxiety,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• stomach pain,
• loss of appetite,
• weight loss,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dizziness,
• palpitations,
• headache,
• vision problems,
• increased heart rate,
• increased blood pressure,
• sweating,
• skin rash,
• psychosis, and
• numbness,
• tingling, or
• cold feeling in your hands or feet.

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.

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

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

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

Ritalin is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep Ritalin in a safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Ritalin 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 if you or your child are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Can Ritalin be taken with other medicines?

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

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

Especially tell your doctor if you or your child take:

• anti-depression 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 take. Keep a list of your medicines with you to show your doctor and pharmacist.

Do not start any new medicine while taking Ritalin 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 Ritalin exactly as prescribed. Your doctor may adjust the dose until it is right for you or your child.

Ritalin is usually taken 2 to 3 times a day.

Take Ritalin 30 to 45 minutes before a meal.

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

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

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