adding theanine to focalin and intuniv | ADHD Information

(this might be better posted on the alternative board, but anyway....)

I've been pretty vocal about my love for Intuniv... it gave our son his social and school life back, not to mention allowed us to drop his Focalin dose considerably and allow him to grow and gain weight.

But we can't go any  higher and he metabolizes it too quickly.  It was suggested that I add L-Theanine and that might allow us to drop the Intuniv dose.  Anyone have some thoughts on that? 

Audrey



IDK about theanine, but I can share what my doctor told me.  He feels you can't go above 4 mg of Intuniv at this point, but he has added regular guanfacine for some people.  If Intuniv is working so well, maybe guanfacine would help? [QUOTE=Mom2ADHDboy]IDK about theanine, but I can share what my doctor told me.  He feels you can't go above 4 mg of Intuniv at this point, but he has added regular guanfacine for some people.  If Intuniv is working so well, maybe guanfacine would help?[/QUOTE]

I'm not sure why he would not raise the Intuniv, but would be willing to add guanfacine, since they have the exact same active ingredient.  Is he a pediatrician or a psychiatrist?

Audrey

He's a developmental pediatrician and actually is an expert on Intuniv.  He was involved with it before it even passed FDA trials.  He said that they have different bioavailability, and that's why he was okay with adding some guanfacine for someone already taking 4 mg of Intuniv.  I haven't added it for my child, but it's good to know that it's an option if needed. 

Has anyone taken more than 4 mg of Intuniv?

Mom2ADHDboy40561.8926388889 [QUOTE=Mom2ADHDboy]

Has anyone taken more than 4 mg of Intuniv?

[/QUOTE]

My son is on 6 mg.  That's why we are more than maxed out and I'm desperately looking for options.

Audrey
L Theanine is used to lower blood pressure, and so is guanfacine (Intunive).  I'd check with the doctor before adding it.  You might lower your son's blood pressure too much.  Have you tried eliminating the Focalin or reducing the dose even further? 
[QUOTE=GrannyC]L Theanine is used to lower blood pressure, and so is guanfacine (Intunive).  I'd check with the doctor before adding it.  You might lower your son's blood pressure too much.  Have you tried eliminating the Focalin or reducing the dose even further? 
[/QUOTE]

I monitor his blood pressure regularly so that is not an issue.  He cannot function on less Focalin than he is currently taking... we were only able to lower it as much as we did because of the Intuniv.  My hope is to lower both the Intuniv and the Focalin if the Theanine works out.

His pediatrician had never heard of it and had no concerns.  I plan to ask my daughter's pdoc when we go to her appointment tonight what his opinion is.

Audrey
OK since there were no thoughts, I added it.  100 mg bid.  Started last night.  Haven't changed the Intuniv or Focalin doses.

(And just to keep a bit of a control group going, I also gave the same dose to my younger daughter, who has anxiety and anger issues but no ADHD.)

He fell asleep like a rock last night and again tonight.  That's a big deal since he was starting to ask for Melatonin again the past few weeks as the Intuniv was starting not to work so well sleep-wise. 

Didn't really notice anything during the day behavior-wise.  But heck, I'll keep it up just for the sleep thing!

The control group (my daughter, LOL) had no noticeable behavior change in any way, day or night.

Audrey