Guanfacine adverse effects

[DJKJ]

My son has been on guanfacine 1mg once daily since July. Are there any blood tests any one on here does for their kids on this med? Have they had any terrible adverse reactions over time related to blood pressure or the liver and kidneys etc?

[Onthemove1971]

If your child is having those side effects, I would get off immediately. I wonder if other drugs that are similar would do the same. You might have to try a different "family" of drugs.

It is my recommendation that you deal work with a child psychiatrist to make sure they can make good suggestions.

Best of luck

[DJKJ in reply to Onthemove1971]

Thank you. He's doing okay actually but I wanted to know if anyone had adverse effects to it.

[Doglady28]

We’ve been on it for about 5 weeks. After trial and error between tenex and intuniv, we settled on 1 mg of intuniv in the am and then 1 mg of tenex when I get my son from school to help us get thru the evenings. It’s a lifesaver for us! No side effects other than a little constupation. My son is 7.5

[DJKJ in reply to Doglady28]

My son is 8. It's also been a life saver for us. I'm a single mom of one boy and last school year was horrible. So far this school year we've had no issues. He's a new child and is now learning in school. He has struggled all his life and now we're finally seeing normalcy. I used to give it at nights but he needed it during the days to get the effects school so I changed it, he has occasional drowsiness but the teachers are working with him to stay awake and I get him to bed by 7-8pm.

[Madmarie in reply to DJKJ]

My 10 year old was just prescribed intuitive , to take along side his Concerta. He’s been getting into fights, and has some aggression problems. I’m praying this will help!

[DJKJ in reply to Madmarie]

I pray it does for you too. This is the best I've seen of my son. When he says I did it because you said it's the right thing to do, that warms my heart. I also take him to a place which specializes in kids mental health, his case manager does skills training with him weekly at school. He was discharged from counseling on good behavior.

[Madmarie in reply to DJKJ]

We start behavioral therapy next week. He started 4th grade this year, and has already been suspended. He wants so badly to fit him. He has such a sweet side. I wish it would show more in school. I’m a single mom with no support what so ever from his dad. It’s been tough. My anxiety has spiked, and I freak out every time my phone rings when he’s in school. I’ve worked hard with him inside our home, and besides the occasional meltdowns he is pretty well behaved at home. I wish it were the same with school.

[DJKJ in reply to Madmarie]

Wow your story mirrors mine. Last year they wanted to send him to an alternative school until they decided not to based on his diagnosis. They instead placed him in special ed. Multiple suspensions last year but none this year. Our goal was once per month so he's doing well. I also have no support and he is the sweetest kid, even his teachers say it. I went in before school opened and spoke with them about my anxiety and the phone ringing and they encouraged me. There was also a family partner at his mental health services dept who said she would come to an IEP meeting if they continued to suspend him because there are more productive ways to deal with his issues.

Hang in there, we are not alone.

[Madmarie in reply to DJKJ]

That gives me hope. I recently discovered this site. It’s been great, and reassuring. Thank you!

[DJKJ in reply to Madmarie]

Anytime.

[123boys]

My son takes takes 1mg of Guanfacine with 10mg of Adderall in the AM and 1mg of Guanfacine in PM for sleep. I feel like it helps him fall asleep at night but see no benefits to the AM dose. Haven't noticed any side effects.

[DJKJ in reply to 123boys]

My son started since July. I hope your son will see some benefits soon. I also have skills training and counseling for my son.

[amarismommy26]

It makes my 7 year old son pass out after like 5 hours.... I mean knocked out sleep!!

[DJKJ in reply to amarismommy26]

My son used to sleep within seconds and stay asleep for 12 hours give or take so I can't say if it makes him sleep more but it definitely doesn't keep him awake at nights.

[NoraW]

My son has autism and adhd and take 1mg in the morning for behavior at school. He has been taking it for at least 9 mths now and it does wonders. No more outburst at school, his behavior has improved probe cause it make him tired some. He did get blood work done twice so far and no worries or issues.

[DJKJ in reply to NoraW]

Thank you. I'll ask the doctor about blood works for renal and kidney function because that's my concern. What blood works did he get done?

[Elijah1]

Kidney and blood pressure at not real concerns at that dose (our son is on guanfacine ER at a higher dose and has never needed blood tests). Other parents have told me that tiredness and increased appetite are possible side effects. This medicine does not 'damage' body organs so liver and kidney tests are just an unneeded blood draw (and out son hates blood tests but will do what the doctor orders).

[DJKJ in reply to Elijah1]

Thank you. My son's appetite has always been great and still is. I've heard of decreased appetite with this med too. I know it doesn't damage the organs but because it's metabolized via kidneys and liver I wondered if there was anyone who has had any issues.

[Maggie611]

We ate waiting for prior authorization to start Guanfacine but am looking forward to seeing the results if any for him. He needs help with impulsivity and aggression/emotional lability. He has a difficult time recovering after he has been redirected. He has also started engaging in some inappropriate behaviors ( exposed himself to student ) (both 6 yrs old). He tends to gravitate towards more inappropriate behaviors, using potty words. Any one else experience this?