new meds - Guanfacine? | ADHD Information

I wrote yesterday, "When will it get better?"  My son's soonest appt. w/his Dr. is at the end of the month.  I didn't think that my husband and I could wait until then without going crazy. 

I emailed his Dr. this morning about Guanfacine and the other meds you all suggested and am anxiously awaiting his reply.  Thank you all for your ideas!  I'll let you know what happens.

If you go with guanfacine, take it real slow working the dose up to avoid or reduce side effects.

Whatever your next move is, we will be there for help and support.

Tenex definitely helped my daughter.  I'm not sure we have the dosage right, but it has made a positive difference. 

Just so you know--when we first started, DD (6YO) was taking 1/2 mg in the mornings, and she fell asleep in school.  We ended up having to take her down to 1/4 mg and work up from there.  The somnolence went away after a short period of time. 

Guanfacine( Tenex) is a blood pressure med used in ADHD. ( 3rd line, off label)

It is frequently prescribed and some see great results, some see  side effects and stop taking it. My DD was one with the side effects, BP drop, erratic Bp, and lethargy after taking it. Go slow like was suggested, and watch closely.

we also had that sedating effect early. Go very slow. We did the same started at 1/4 eveings 3 days then added 1/4 am three days upped evening to 1/2 three days upped am to 1/2 and stopped there.DD was taking .12 mgs( 1/8 pill), so we did not bother going higher....just couldn't cut it any smaller.

Hello,

      Its going to be 1 year in September and we still do not have a working med!!  Its so sad. Heartbreaking actually! My son is 8 and he has severe ADHD. We are actually  changing phyciatrists at this point. Its just worse daily, just when you think it can't get any worse watch out!! Don't know what to do at this point we have been through Adderall XR, Concerta, Focalin XR and Focalin 5mg and Strattera. Now she wants to put him on Riseral?? Any suggestions??

Nicholas's mom

 

   

 

We recently added risperdal for my youngest. It is an atypical antipsychotic that is used in bipolar (adults and kids) and schitzophrenia. It is used off label in low doses for other mood disorders and in ADHD where effective treatment has been elusive.

It has helped my youngest with a recurring anxiety that was expressed as anger and aggression. We stared with .25mg and increased by .25mg every week or so until the current dose of 2mg. If you go with this med, take it slow and make sure the doc has given you good info on what to watch for so you can confidently monitor your child on this med. We have seen no side effects. One common effect with this class of meds is weight gain.

You might also want to start a new thread to get more people to read and offer help.

vickie39287.7947106482

my daughter tried most all stimulants and could not tolerate any of them. We are taking Desipramine currently. It is a tricyclic antidepressant and is used also to treat ADHD, although less frequently now with stimulants. Norpramin is another class of TCA's used for the treatment of ADHD. Might be worth researching.

We use Guanfacine briefly and I concur with Vickie, go very slowly building up your dose.

My son started guanfacine almost 3 years ago. He started  at 1/2 a mg for about 4 months and then went to 1 mg. We haven't increased it for 2 1/2 years.

How would we know if he is at the right dose? He has never been tired after taking it, but I want him to be at HIS right dose.

thanks!

My answer it "I don't know" Any way to tell??

I wonder if it could be better! I am going to discuss this at the next doctors appointment.

He is fine, I just don't know if it could be better!

Thank you Diane V!

BETHANN39288.8598611111are his symptoms being relieved?

I met with my son's Dr. yesterday and we are going to try Seroquel at night for sleep and hopefully it will have an impact on his anxiety.

I asked about Tenex and he told me there is a promising new, updated Tenex that should be out in January.