Intuniv for ADHD

[Anonymous]

My DC had disrupted sleep when he took the Intuniv at night. Switched to morning with no problems; sleep is now normal at night.

[Anonymous]

Bumping this chain. We are starting with guafacine- generic version of intuivie- evening dose. This is first medicine we are trying. Child is 9. Anxiety, hyper, ADHD. Impulsive and meltdowns biggest issue. He can focus and can read books - devouring them for hours - and do lots of other high focus things. At school, however, very distracted. Wondering if the guafacine alone will do the trick. Starting on drugs impatient for results and nervous for child. Want to do this right and make the most of the rest of the academic year.

[Anonymous]

You can't be impatient with Intuniv because it takes a while to get to the right dose and get used to the side effects. That said, my DC is similar to yours and we noticed an effect the first day. It's been wonderful. Like PPs, we did have to switch from evening to morning because of sleep disruption.

[Anonymous]

My DD takes it in the am b/c she is on another medication that makes her sleepy as well, which she takes at night. She is definitely tired by the end of the day. FWIW, we are switching her to a stimulant as the Intiniv is just not cutting it for her attention issues.

[Anonymous]

PP -- why did you go with intuiv vs a stimulant?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this chain. We are starting with guafacine- generic version of intuivie- evening dose. This is first medicine we are trying. Child is 9. Anxiety, hyper, ADHD. Impulsive and meltdowns biggest issue. He can focus and can read books - devouring them for hours - and do lots of other high focus things. At school, however, very distracted. Wondering if the guafacine alone will do the trick. Starting on drugs impatient for results and nervous for child. Want to do this right and make the most of the rest of the academic year.

You should know that the generic form can act very differently from the name brand of Intuniv. I'm not saying one is better than the other, just saying that if you try one and it does' work you should try the other, if you tried one and it does work don't switch.

[Anonymous]

We tried Intuniv alone - helped with mood/impulse, but did nothing for focus & work completion. Increasing the dosage made him too sleepy. Now we use it with a stimulant - it smooths out the edges of the stimulant - fewer side effects.

[Anonymous]

I am the bumper. If it only helps with mood/impulse that will be a win. Child is very smart and when mood/impulse do not get in the way, he can be very effective using cognitive overlay strategies to address his challenges. We might wind up adding in a stimulant but I guess I just have to be patient. On why start with this - psychiatrist recommendation after review of file, multiple meetings, .....I think we all felt that the anxiety and impulse were getting in the way of other progress.

This has been such a long and winding road...and I can usually take solace that as a family we have been great at triage - takling each issue as it gels into a diagnosis....

Reading the scientific journals - it is supposed to work on the prefrontal cortex - stimulating connections between regions (which presumable speeds processing, working memory, ....

Just looking for comfort on our journey I guess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP -- why did you go with intuiv vs a stimulant?

Because, at the time, she was having a lot of anxiety and the Dr. thought Intuniv would be better. Her anxiety has gone down a lot - whether or not that is due to the Intuniv, we will have to see once we get her off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bumping this chain. We are starting with guafacine- generic version of intuivie- evening dose. This is first medicine we are trying. Child is 9. Anxiety, hyper, ADHD. Impulsive and meltdowns biggest issue. He can focus and can read books - devouring them for hours - and do lots of other high focus things. At school, however, very distracted. Wondering if the guafacine alone will do the trick. Starting on drugs impatient for results and nervous for child. Want to do this right and make the most of the rest of the academic year.

Hi, my son is now 11 and has been taking Guafacine 1mg and 20mg of Vyvance in the morning for the last three years. He is much more focused and is really happy.

[Anonymous]

Daughter is 12. We started with Intuniv 1mg at nights. First 2 weeks were terrible, she was exhausted and falling asleep in the car on the way home, very lethargic, etc. after the initial 2 weeks she was fine. She is combined type and tends to be higher energy at night. Used to have trouble getting to sleep but now goes to sleep quickly at the regular bed time. Takes it in conjunction with Vyvanse and seems to counterbalance the stimulant. I notice 1) improved sleep 2) more calm 3) appetite is much better. All. These things to me are an amazing complement to the awful side effects of stimulants. Since adding Intuniv, she had gained weight, grown and it seems to help the Vyvanse. Her doctor said to only take it at night. She's still on 1mg though she is skinny and smaller than some kids her age (25th percentile). Has been a great addition once we got over the initial hump.

[Anonymous]

PP-Also, you cannot abruptly stop taking Intuniv, per the doctor. Not like the stimulant meds which you can rest from and be ok. We have forgotten now and again or have run out and she's been fine but mentioning just in case.