Tenex vs. Ritalin

• Are Tenex and Ritalin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Tenex?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Ritalin?
• What Is Tenex?
• What Is Ritalin?
• What drugs interact with Tenex?
• What drugs interact with Ritalin?
• How Should Tenex Be Taken?
• How Should Ritalin Be Taken?

Tenex (guanfacine hydrochloride) and Ritalin (methylphenidate) 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).

Ritalin is also used to treat narcolepsy (uncontrollable sleepiness).

Tenex and Ritalin belong to different drug classes. Tenex is an antihypertensive drug and Ritalin is a central nervous system stimulant.

Side effects of Tenex and Ritalin that are similar include dizziness, headache, and sleep problems (insomnia).

Side effects of Tenex that are different from Ritalin include dry mouth, sleepiness, weakness, fatigue, constipation, and impotence.

Side effects of Ritalin that are different from Tenex include nervousness, agitation, anxiety, stomach pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, nausea, 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 Tenex and Ritalin may interact with diet aids and seizure medicines.

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

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, or antidepressants.

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking Ritalin.

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.

• 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.

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

Ritalin is 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.