Intuniv for ADHD User Reviews (Page 5)

• Tan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2019

"Well, I was taking Ritalin just by itself, which has helped immensely, but I needed something to make it last longer, as I would get mild comedowns between doses and need to take another dose before the 3-hour mark. Roughly about 2 hours and 40 minutes, I would feel the comedown, so I've started Intuniv with it. 1mg has been amazing, making it stretch out longer without having to also deal with the comedown and faster heart, etc. Now that I've started on 2mg, I notice I get really slow and tired, also sometimes a faster heart rate, but oxygen levels are still good. I think 2mg for me is too much, I might stick to 1mg. Overall, I think it's great, but yeah, for me, 2mg makes me feel like rubbish."

• mcm...
• October 21, 2011

"My 7-year-old son has ADHD and has been on medicines since 3.5 years old. Right now, he's got two days left on his first week of 1 mg Intuniv before we go up a dose. The first few days, he was tired a bit, and all seemed to be improving on his defiance and irritation. We are on day 5, and at this point, I'm anxious to get going on the 2 mg dose as he seems to have simply gotten 'used to' the 1 mg dose. Update...started the 2 mg a few days ago and did not seem to have many issues. A bit sluggish, but nothing concerning. School called today, and he had THREE seizures. My son has no medical issues other than ADHD. Seizures are a very rare side effect of this medicine. Intuniv is definitely NOT for my son. Obviously."

• sha...
• June 22, 2010

"My son started this 8 weeks ago. It has been a miracle. He has ADHD, bipolar 2, ODD, and is being tested for TBI. This has made his impulsivity manageable. We have had no side effects. We have stayed at 2 mg. We are on quite a few other medicines also. But since we have started this medicine, we have not had any CPEP visits or inpatient stays. Prior to this medicine, in 1 year we had 6 inpatient stays and 12 CPEP visits. His other medicines worked, but we could not stop his impulse factor, which was putting his life in danger. I have my son back, we can actually have a conversation again."

• Sar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2016

"My 5-year-old son started off on the generic version for 2 weeks before switching to the Intuniv. He did OK on the generic Tenex (not an extended release), it just made him drowsy. The 1st day on the Intuniv (extended release), however, he was busy, could not sit still for nothing, and sleep was not on his mind. 2nd day, his Dr. told me to up the dose to 2 mg (b/c he had been taking 1 mg of the generic 2 weeks prior). My son was worse! He was worse than he was before he started any of the meds. Dr. took him off and put him back on the generic, 1 mg, no problems so far besides the drowsiness. Generic, $60 some bucks, Intuniv $300. Surprised the cheapest works better!"

• Anonymous
• January 24, 2012

"My 13-year-old son has ADHD and oppositional defiance disorder. He takes Adderall for his ADHD, and 4 months ago, we added Intuniv. He complains of being tired, and he is only on 1 mg of the Intuniv. I have concerns because he is becoming increasingly aggressive and emotional. I do not know if this is a side effect of Intuniv. I'll be taking him back to the doctor, and I don't think we'll be continuing the Intuniv."

• Jul...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 9, 2015

"I am 21 years old; this medication is not just for young children. It has taken away the side effects of my ADHD medication. The only side effect I was aware of was auditory! When I took the first 1 mg pill, my hearing was heightened and exhaustive (sounds dragged out) for an hour or so. When I increased to 2 mg, the same thing happened: a noticeable difference in my hearing for just a short hour or so. My doctor prescribed this to me when the side effects of Concerta did not leave me; I had anxiety that was clearly not situational but from the drop-off of Concerta in the middle of the day, as it is not a steady released medicine but an ADHD medication that releases a dose twice."

• Jod...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 8, 2020

"My son was on Ritalin for ADHD, and it was no good for him. Then he tried Ritalin LA, which was worse, but Intuniv helped him settle down and focus. Recently, he has been very lethargic, and he's not eating much at all. He's nearly 13, and that shows to teens. Oh, the wonder years, lol."

• Sar...
• July 15, 2016

"I had been taking Intuniv for a week at 10 mg. 32-year-old female, for ADD. Yesterday, out of the blue at night, I started getting brain zaps. My anxiety got so high I felt my heart was going to explode. I felt like I was going to crawl out of my skin. It was an utter nightmare, and I ended up in the ER. I was afraid I was losing touch with reality. I'm still feeling anxious now too. I am never touching this med again. I just hope it gets out of my system soon. I can't believe they give it to kids. I almost went psychotic! It was a nightmare drug for me. Be careful, please. Even at a low dose, it can cause a nasty reaction. I'm also bipolar, so that might have played a role in it too."

• Bad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 3, 2015

"I took this for tics and ADHD. I went up to 3 mg a day and felt horrible. Very tired and body aches. It helps somewhat with nervous tics but not that great, and side effects were bad. I quit it after 1 week at 3 mg. And I am a 200 lb man, and it still was too much for me. The 1 mg and 2 mg doses didn't really do anything positive or negative."

• ADH...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 30, 2023

"I have found Intuniv (guanfacine ER) to be a tremendously helpful medication. I take it with Vyvanse, 60 mg/day. The primary reason I started Intuniv was because I was having issues with jitters and anxiety on the Vyvanse. It was frustrating because I absolutely had moments where I felt great and had brilliant focus, but I would sometimes get stuck in these rumination loops, anxieties, etc. CBT therapy helped a little, but I saw Dr. Russell Barkley talk about how Intuniv can be taken with a stimulant to help with emotional control, so I asked my psychiatrist about it, and he knew all about Intuniv. I eventually settled on 4 mg/day. I am way more 'chill' these days, yet still very much me. I just feel more level-headed. The only downside is this drug can make you tired, and it can have a bit of a notorious hypotension side effect. Occasionally, I would be tired and winded, which was not dangerous but from low blood pressure. Taking the medication at night has helped this completely."

• Ama...
• July 12, 2016

"We began with night wakings, then more aggression. He was never aggressive like this before. Raised to 2 mg, symptoms increased again. Still hyper and seemed worse than before. Upon reducing back to 1 mg to none, it's been a nightmare. Red, red cheeks. Bouncing off walls. Bouncing up till 3 am. Starting to come down a bit, but oh my god, the havoc on his mind and body and us, plus no sleep. Doc said there wouldn't be any withdrawal."

• Rem...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 12, 2023

"I was 25 when I got my ADHD diagnosis and have been on Intuniv for almost 2 years now. I am currently taking 4 mg a day and not seeing or feeling any positive effects from it. It feels like it just makes me incredibly tired and irritable. It constantly gives me a dry mouth and just doesn't seem to help me at all."

• Lor...
• September 26, 2010

"My son is 12 and was on Focalin for about 3 years. It worked OK, but he had problems with appetite, irritability, and mood swings. This summer we started him on Intuniv and completely dropped Focalin. The behavior and personality are great now. He is the sweetest boy when on Intuniv. He grew 3 inches in 3 months and gained weight (which is great for him!). However, huge side effects are sleepiness, tiredness, and headaches (which he never had before). School work or homework remains undone. We have issues at school where teachers are complaining that he just does not care about anything and does not participate in class. We have huge issues with completing homework. I am very frustrated."

• Jen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 21, 2016

"Our 8-year-old son started Intuniv the other day, having been recently diagnosed with ADHD. His behavior during the day was definitely much less impulsive than ever, and he napped at 5 PM (1 mg administration at 9 AM). He awoke complaining of an upset tummy but ate dinner anyway. 2 AM & 5 AM vomiting. Poor kid. He doesn't know it's because of his new 'vitamin.' Does the vomiting go away? Is there a way to preempt the nausea? We gave him plenty of water and healthy snacks when he was hungry...not up for doing this to him if this pattern sustains."

• Anonymous
• October 15, 2011

"After being diagnosed with PDD/ADHD, it was suggested that my son (then 5) try Intuniv. Initially, he was extremely lethargic, not being able to get out of bed. This was only a day or two. We noticed a difference within days and a completely focused child! However, after a few weeks, he was becoming extremely obsessed with germs, constantly washing his hands. We counted 14 times in a 15 min span! His poor little hands were raw and chafed a bright red. It didn't matter, he kept washing. Our pediatrician referred us to a psychiatrist (as he had never experienced this side effect), and the psych said that it was due to the PDD. We took him off. If it hadn't been for the side effects, the Intuniv worked quite well."

• lov...
• August 5, 2015

"My 6-year-old son is on the 1 mg for his short attention issues. He does complain sometimes about the tummy ache, but it goes away. I have seen a big difference in his schoolwork, and he's able to stay focused. However, I have to try other meds because my insurance will not pay for the medication. They feel as if it's too expensive."

• Anonymous
• September 18, 2010

"My seven-year-old son has been on Intuniv for three weeks now. His behavior at school and home is finally starting to improve. He is much more focused and less irritable. Although at the end of week one and the beginning of week two of this medicine, he was very cranky and irritable. He is sleepy in the afternoons, but he also takes Clonidine along with this medicine, which also makes him sleepy. So I hope the sleepiness improves. He has started the last week having severe stomach pain. He gets up many times in the night saying his tummy feels funny, and he gets some diarrhea in the night. He also has a harder time staying asleep at night, which is new. Hoping the stomach pain stops so we can continue the medicines, as I feel they are helping him."

• Anonymous
• November 1, 2011

"My 7-year-old son was put on Intuniv for about a month. At first, he was having trouble sleeping and moody. He was getting worse in school, never smiled, had roller coaster mood swings, and would cry easily. He even got to a point where he was suicidal. We stopped giving it to him, and he is having withdrawal issues. He was only taking 1 mg of Intuniv. He was a lot better on the Focalin."

• Asp...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 24, 2023

"I am a 44-yr-old male with Asperger's, OCD, major depression, and ADHD. I take 140 mg of Vyvanse, which does work great but gives me the jitters and increased anxiety, which interferes with the focus and attention of the stimulant. Three days ago, the doctor added Intuniv, and I feel calm, focused, less impulsive, and even serene and quite 'zen.' A great medication."

• Anonymous
• June 23, 2010

"My six-year-old son has been on Intuniv for 6 months. He has had an improvement in mood, attention, and hyperactivity. However, he is tired in the afternoons, and it is hard for him not to fall asleep due to how drowsy he is."

• KMK...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 18, 2016

"My 8 y.o. was prescribed this medication to help with her aggression and hyperactivity. It did not help her at all. I feel she had actually gotten a little worse while taking it. She had a lot of trouble falling asleep. She would be wide awake at midnight, and 1 a.m. some nights. Besides the trouble sleeping issue, she only seemed to experience one other side effect, which was nausea, but only on the first night. I gave it one month and then told her psychiatrist that it wasn't for her."

• Nat...
• January 11, 2012

"My 8-year-old son was diagnosed 2 years ago with ADHD. We knew in preschool something wasn't right. I refused to medicate him until after his first report card in second grade. I could not let his esteem fall from poor grades when we all know how bright he is. He started off with Vyvanse 20 mg. It worked well for him for the rest of that school year. The next year, we had to up it to 30 mg, but we felt it wasn't effective. This winter break, we started Intuniv. He is on his 3rd week. He has an increased appetite, focuses well, but is too sleepy in the evenings. He normally would have a hard time falling asleep. Now he falls asleep at the table reading by 8. I will continue the Intuniv, but hoping it gets better."

• Anonymous
• January 15, 2011

"My daughter is 8. She started on Concerta over a year ago, didn't work long enough. The doctor started her on Intuniv for ADHD and Lexapro for depression. After about 3 weeks, it was working great. She calmed down, started doing her schoolwork and homework. The worst side effect she has is dry mouth. I think if I can get that under control, she will be great."

• TsM...
• October 22, 2010

"Brain damaged/developmental delay: I have a 5-year-old who has been on Intuniv for 6 months after other medicine did not work. On Intuniv, she is no longer up all night, aggressive at school, and able to concentrate on her schoolwork (she has been in school since age 3 in special education). I only wish the company would lower the 'age' on the medication so it would be covered under her adoption assistance Medicaid, it's expensive at $153.00 a month."

• Mor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 25, 2025

"I have been on this medication for 1.5 years, I started on this as a solution to some of my bad ADHD sides. I was very happy with the medication, it has worked wonders for me. Recently, I decided that it's about time to step out of Intuniv. Stopping this medication is kinda rough, at least it was for me. I was at 1 mg depot medication for the entire period. When quitting, I got anxiety, high blood pressure, fast pulse, etc., for 3-4 weeks. The withdrawal symptoms were rough for me, but I was still happy with the medication as I was in way worse shape when I started it and really needed the help."