guanfacine Health Article

Generic name(s):

guanfacine

Brand name(s):

Tenex

What is the most important information I should know about guanfacine?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to guanfacine.

Before taking guanfacine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, coronary artery disease or a history of stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, or if you have recently had a heart attack.

Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking guanfacine suddenly, your condition may become worse and you could have unpleasant symptoms.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of guanfacine. Guanfacine can cause drowsiness and should be taken at bedtime unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by guanfacine.

What is guanfacine?

Guanfacine reduces nerve impulses in your heart and blood vessels. Guanfacine works by relaxing blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Guanfacine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is sometimes given together with other blood pressure medications.

Guanfacine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking guanfacine?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to guanfacine.

Before taking guanfacine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease;

• coronary artery disease or a history of stroke;

• kidney disease;
• liver disease; or

• if you have recently had a heart attack.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take guanfacine.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether guanfacine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take guanfacine?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Guanfacine can cause drowsiness and should be taken at bedtime unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop taking guanfacine suddenly, your condition may become worse and you could have unpleasant symptoms.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms, so you may not know when your blood pressure is high. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.