Anyone’s child not gain weight on a stimulant plus guanfacine?

[Anonymous]

Tween DD on stimulant now, probably needs guanfacine too. I am hesitant to try it because she’s already a little heavy, and I’m afraid that increased weight gain will make her problems with self-esteem even worse. Right now she’s an athlete, so she’s actually exercises a lot, but still battles the weight. I’m afraid that the guanfacine actually might affect her athletic performance if she gains even more weight, and her sport is one of the only thing she has going for her right now. Don’t know what the right decision is.

[Anonymous]

Typically, at least as I understand it, stimulants are more likely to cause weight loss. My DS is on Vyvanse and that one is also used for binge eating disorder.

As for guanfacine, we haven't noticed any weight gain.

[Anonymous]

I haven't heard of weight gain with guanfacine--def not our experience.

[Anonymous]

What’s a little heavy?

[Anonymous]

I have a child who tends to be a bit heavy - clonidine did not cause any weight gain and is a very similar med.

[Anonymous]

I’ve never heard of a weight gain either. We were warned about weight loss…..which has happened but not too significantly that there is a concern.

[Anonymous]

My son has vyvanse mornings and guanfacine at night. He has lost weight and remained slim on these meds. We have to remind him to eat.

[Anonymous]

Stimulants may cause weight loss, not weight gain.

[Anonymous]

Oops, re-read your OP. My DS added guanfacine to his stimulant, and it had no noticeable impact on his weight. He tends to be pretty thin, naturally, though.

What about just trying it, OP? You can always discontinue use if you don't like the side effects.

[Anonymous]

DS loses weight on a stimulant. By adding guanfacine, we can use less stimulant. So he puts on a bit of weight. But really it's just getting to his "natural" weight, which the stimulant had been suppressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son has vyvanse mornings and guanfacine at night. He has lost weight and remained slim on these meds. We have to remind him to eat.

Exactly the same for us!

[Anonymous]

My son started guanfacine at 14 and now 19. Never any weight or appetite issues. He's a skinny 6'1".

[Anonymous]

DC lost weight. We have needed to be careful with meds because the dosage is also suppressing DC's growth (i.e., we can see the growth curve height-wise flattening).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC lost weight. We have needed to be careful with meds because the dosage is also suppressing DC's growth (i.e., we can see the growth curve height-wise flattening).

I'm not sure the med itself suppresses height but the lack of nutrition may. I know that might be splitting hairs but I think the distinction is important.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC lost weight. We have needed to be careful with meds because the dosage is also suppressing DC's growth (i.e., we can see the growth curve height-wise flattening).

I'm not sure the med itself suppresses height but the lack of nutrition may. I know that might be splitting hairs but I think the distinction is important.

OP of first comment. Thanks for clarifying. Yes, DC was not eating due to the appetite suppressant effects. The drug itself does not directly affect growth.