For which conditions or diseases is this medication prescribed?
Guanfacine tablets are used alone and in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure. Guanfacine prolonged-release tablets are used as part of a treatment program to control the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; in children who have more difficulty focusing, controlling their actions, and Remain quiet or silent than other people of the same age). Guanfacine is in a class of drugs called agonists of central acting alpha 2A adrenergic receptors. Guanfacine treats high blood pressure by decreasing heart rate and relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body.
High blood pressure is a common condition and when left untreated can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs can cause heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision and other problems. In addition to taking medications, making lifestyle changes will also help you control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet that is low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes almost every day, not smoking and consuming alcohol in moderation.
How should this medicine be used?
The presentation of guanfacine is in tablets and in prolonged-release tablets to be administered orally. Usually, the tablet is taken once a day at bedtime. The extended-release tablet is usually taken once a day and should not be taken with a high-fat meal. Take guanfacine at approximately the same time each day. Follow the instructions on the prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take guanfacine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of the medicine, or take it more often than your doctor says.
Swallow the extended-release tablets whole with a little water or other liquid; Do not split, chew or crush.
Your doctor will probably start with a low dose of guanfacine and may increase gradually, not more than once a week if you are taking the extended-release tablets, and no more than once every 3-4 weeks, if you are Taking the tablets.
Guanfacine can control your condition, but it will not cure it. It may take 2 weeks before you feel the full benefit of the extended-release guanfacine tablets. Continue to take guanfacine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking guanfacine without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking guanfacine suddenly, your blood pressure may increase and you may feel nervous or anxious. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.
What other uses does this medication have?
This medicine may be prescribed for other uses; Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking guanfacine,
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to guanfacine, any other medicines, or any of the ingredients contained in guanfacine-extended-release tablets or tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
You should know that guanfacine is the active ingredient in guanfacine tablets and guanfacine extended-release tablets. Do not take both products at the same time.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, and nutritional supplements you are taking or are planning to take. Be sure to mention any of the following:
antidepressants;
Antihistamines;
Barbiturates such as phenobarbital (Luminal);
Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol);
Clarithromycin (Biaxin, Prevpac);
Indinavir (Crixivan);
Itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox);
Ketoconazole (Nizoral);
Medicines for anxiety, high blood pressure, mental illness, nausea or seizures; Nefazodone; Nelfinavir (Viracept); Phenytoin (Dilantin, Fhenytek); Pioglitazone (Actos, Actoplus Met, Duetact, Oseni); Rifabutin (Mycobutin); Rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rifater, Rimactane); Ritonavir (Norvir, in Kaletra); Sedatives; sleeping pills; Tranquilizers; And valproic acid (Depakene). Your doctor may need to change your medication doses or monitor you closely for side effects.
Tell your doctor what herbal products you are taking, especially St. John's wort.
Tell your doctor if you have fainted, or if you have recently had a heart attack; And if you have or have had a stroke; low blood pressure; A slow heart rate; Bipolar disorder (manic-depressive disorder, a condition that causes episodes of depression, manic episodes, and other abnormal moods); Or heart, kidney or liver disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking guanfacine, call your doctor.
If you will have surgery, even dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking guanfacine.
You should know that guanfacine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
Consult your doctor about the safe consumption of alcohol while taking guanfacine. Alcohol can make the side effects of guanfacine worse.
You should know that guanfacine can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and be fainting when you get up very fast when lying down. This is more common when you start taking guanfacine for the first time. To avoid this problem, get up from bed slowly, putting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before getting up.
You should know that you may faint if you become dehydrated or because of excessive heat during your treatment with guanfacine. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and stay cool while taking this medicine.
You should know that guanfacine should be used as part of a total ADHD treatment program, which may include counseling and special education. Be sure to follow all instructions from your doctor or therapist.
What special diet should I follow while I take this medicine?
Talk to your doctor about eating grapefruit and drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine.
What should I do if I forget to take a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose. If you are taking the guanfacine extended-release tablets and skip two or more doses in a row, call your doctor.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Guanfacine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section are strong or do not go away:
dry mouth
fatigue
weakness
headache
irritability
Lower sexual capacity
Decreased appetite
stomach ache
sickness
Vomiting
constipation
Some Side Effects Can Be Serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
fainting
blurry vision
rash
Slow heart rate
Guanfacine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medicine.
If you develop a serious side effect, you or your doctor can send a report to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) MedWatch adverse effects reporting program on the Internet ( http: /www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch ) or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
How should I store or dispose of this medicine?
Keep this medicine in the original container, tightly closed and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
Medications that are no longer needed should be disposed of properly to ensure that pets, children, and other people can not consume them. However, you should not flush these medications down the toilet. Instead, the best way to get rid of your medications is through a drug return program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local waste/recycling department to learn about your community's drug return programs. Consult the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website ( http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p ) for more information on how to safely dispose of medicines if you do not have access to the drug return program.
what should I do in case of an overdose?
In the case of an overdose, call your local poison control office at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim is unconscious or does not breathe, call 911 immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
drowsiness
lack of energy
Slow heart rate
fainting
Dizziness
blurry vision
Reduced pupils (black circles in the center of the eyes)
What other important information should I know?
Attend all appointments with your doctor. Your blood pressure and heart rate should be checked regularly to determine your response to guanfacine.
Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important that you keep a written list of all the medicines you are taking, including those you have received with a prescription and those you have bought over the counter, including vitamins and dietary supplements. You must have the list every time you visit your doctor or when you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information in cases of emergency.
