Guanfacine and Sleepy: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• June 8, 2012

Guanfacine for ADHD "The first few days on 1 mg in the morning, he was so tired in the afternoon, but by the 5th day he was doing better. At 2 mg, it started over but never faded. After 3 weeks, the Dr. suggested taking it at night, but it was no better. He would fall asleep on his desk after lunch, in the car or on the couch after school, and just completely lost his personality. He was calm and could focus better, but he never laughed, was never silly, barely played, it was awful. We tried going back to 1 mg but had more trouble focusing again, so we tried 1mg in the morning and 1 in the evening. But he was still a little zombie. So we gave up. I'd rather have him bouncing off the walls than too tired to laugh and play."

• Lim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 11, 2019

Guanfacine for ADHD "I’ve been experiencing side effects that make my day-to-day life very difficult. I’m dizzy, I feel like my vision is blacking out when I walk, I’m extremely lethargic, and find myself sleeping all the time. I’ve been having stomach problems, a high heartbeat (and I thought Intuniv was supposed to subdue you), an extremely dry mouth, and so much anxiety. I haven’t even noticed any positive changes in my ability to focus since I’m constantly disoriented or asleep."

• 8Da...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 25, 2021

Guanfacine for ADHD "This drug is awful. It doesn’t help ADHD at all, okay. It sedates you and turns off your inhibitions, which makes you less impulsive. But that’s not helping ADHD at all. Same goes for autism and anxiety. You can argue that it helps certain things, but for a drug to work, you need to stay functional and not completely shut off and brain dead. I could not function normally while on this. I was a zombie all day. Side effects were lightheadedness, loss of appetite, sleeping a lot, pins, nausea, and bodily dissociation."

• jms...
• October 30, 2016

Guanfacine for ADHD "Our son has been on Intuniv for 3 years. We started in kindergarten when he was diagnosed with ADHD. He is very impulsive, not easily compliant, with underlying anxiety. The behavioral issues in school were challenging, so we began at 1mg. A BIG NOTE HERE: I have read reviews, and I'm surprised a doctor prescribes this medication to a patient at a higher dosage! Always start at 1mg and increase as time goes on, if needed. My son was on 1mg for a year, then we increased to 2mg in October. By the following summer, I reduced back to 1mg. However, had to raise it again one month into school. We were able to get through that school year on 2mg. Now, in Year 3, we increased to 3mg 3 days ago. Does anyone have experience with 3mg with their 8-year-old? He is very sleepy as he adjusts and irritable, takes naps, wakes up, and seems happy again."

• Rod...
• June 19, 2018

Guanfacine for ADHD "Male adult ADHD, mostly inattentive (but restless on the inside!), also bipolar type 2. I was on Ritalin for about a year and had a lot of problems with a dry and stuffy nose with frequent infections. Atomoxetine had similar effects: sleepy, nasal stuffiness, premature ejaculation (only ejaculation was premature). Intuniv actually reversed nasal dryness, my nose never felt better. Intuniv has both stimulating and calming effects, and my mood generally is better. I have more frequent urination at night, I often have to get up at 5 a.m. to go to the bathroom. Sometimes it is hard to get back to sleep, but then usually instant-release Clonidine helps (Clonidine has helped for problems with insomnia). I have NOT had any problems with sexual side effects on Intuniv, which is great. Perhaps only a slight increase in libido, but it could be due to improvement in mood as well. Appetite is normal, it has helped me lose a little weight. Ritalin used to give me increased hunger and sugar cravings."

• ida...
• October 6, 2014

Guanfacine for ADHD "My son took this for a couple of years. At first, it was very effective, and I was excited to have a non-stimulant medication to treat his ADHD. It did make him sleepy, and that was problematic, and then its effectiveness wore off."

• jes...
• February 3, 2012

Guanfacine for ADHD "My son is 6 years old and has sensory processing disorder, ADHD, and maybe Asperger's. He has been on it for 2 months now and recently has been very sleepy and more awake at night. I got a call from his school saying he fell asleep cold on the computer and went to the nurse, where he slept for an hour. He is now home today and sleeping again. I am very concerned about this and made him an appointment. He is starting 2mg instead of 3 tonight. I have seen behavioral improvement in him and my 9-year-old who has no side effects. Good luck to all you parents out there. Hope this was helpful."

• mom...
• September 22, 2010

Guanfacine for ADHD "My 9-year-old son was diagnosed with ADHD a year ago and has had OT services for 6 months. We started Intuniv 2 weeks ago. First day on 1 mg, he was super hyper, then seemed unchanged. A week later we went to 2 mg. It's great. He is more focused, less wiggly, finishes tasks in a more timely manner. He still squirms but not as much. His teacher is happy with the improvement. Side effects: sleepy, dry mouth, emotional. We have been giving him the pill in the morning. Around 5 pm, he gets super sleepy. The doctor told me there is no peak in when the drug works but there is a peak in when the side effects occur. They tend to be 8-10 hours after taking the drug. We are going to try giving him the pill at night and see if it helps with drowsiness."

• Sta...
• March 15, 2017

For ADHD "I just got diagnosed with ADHD, and my doctor prescribed me this medication. She told me I can take up to 4 mg a day, so I started myself off with 1 mg. I didn't like it for the first few days because I have 4 kids, a husband, a full-time job, and I'm a part-time student. I didn't like that this medicine was making me sleepy, so I stopped taking it. My friend that takes the same meds, and he has been taking it for some years, told me the trick. He said to take 1 mg at night when it's your bedtime, and it worked. Taking the meds right at bedtime helps a lot, so I won't be sleepy during the day, and then it only took the meds like 4/5 days to start working. When I say my brain is working like a living scanner, a picture in my head for everything now."

• Cor...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2019

For ADHD "I love Tenex (guanfacine). My situation is a little different than other people taking this medication. I have a lot of paranoia and high anxiety due to my schizoaffective disorder. My psychiatrist actually started me on it to help control my anxiety. Before this, I was on Vistaril, which worked but made me very sleepy. The Tenex does not make me sleepy, I take 1 mg twice a day, and it has my anxiety almost completely under control. And it helps me be more focused too, so I can see why they prescribe this for ADHD so much. Been on it for about four months and have nothing but good things to say about it."

• Mam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 2, 2023

For ADHD "My daughter was diagnosed with ADHD this year at age 5 1/2. She has had so many setbacks with her development, so the constant impulsiveness and inability to focus on anything was hindering her further. After 3 months of trying behavioral therapies, and multiple calls, messages, and meetings with school and daycare, we finally broke down and agreed to start a medication recommended by her PCP and child psychiatrist: guanfacine. We started the medication (1 mg ER daily) over holiday break to make sure she had time to adjust. At first, it made her very sleepy, but that only lasted 3-4 days. We started giving it to her at night so she would sleep through side effects. We have since found out that 3 AM is the ‘sweet spot’ that will get her through the whole day. It’s been AMAZING. She still has her wild personality, and now the teacher says she’s the best behaved in class. She gets more positive feedback, which has helped her feel good about herself. The impulses are non-existent now."

• ADH...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2013

For ADHD "Noticeable improvement at school and at home. Started with 1 mg three weeks ago. Completing seat work, better control of emotions, and less impulsive. Although he still can be defiant, it is very short-lived. Much more compliant and less hyper. The medication has not changed his personality, and he is much easier to be around. Will sit through dinner, which he never could before, and is very helpful and sweet. He is very small at 38 pounds, so no plans to increase medication. There has been almost a complete transformation. Slightly sleepy the first week, but now has adjusted. He sleeps great, but he always did. I would recommend this medication for these issues. Our family is against stimulant medications, so this has worked perfectly."

• Nat...
• January 11, 2012

Guanfacine for ADHD "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."

• mad...
• March 7, 2017

For ADHD "We started our son on Tenex (guanfacine, not extended release like Intuniv) when he was 5. We started half (0.5) in the evening because it did make him sleepy. The first year we stepped up to the 0.5 in the morning, then adding 0.5 in the afternoon. Then we graduated to 1 mg in the am, but needed something in the afternoon. By the time he was almost 7, the doctor said we could move to full in the am and full in the pm, but I could step him into it by full in the am and 0.5 in the evening. He's been on this dosage for almost 2 years now. One doctor prescribed Intuniv after years of the Tenex, and he was very irritable, and everything was a crisis or breakdown. I called immediately and asked for the not extended release. He was a completely different child on Intuniv."

• gl2...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 30, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Have been on this med for over six months. I have unstable blood pressure with occasional surges to between 170 and 210 lasting from hours to a few days. This drug tends to control the surge peaks better than any other med to date. Side effects are similar to other posts. Being sleepy and overwhelmingly drowsy during the day is an issue. I can handle the dry mouth, but the sleepy issue is becoming worse with time on the drug, not better. I am a 76-year-old male. The drug keeps my pressure between 130 and 160, which may still be high but A-OK by my history. One other side effect seems to be opposite to one post: I have to go to the BR at least four times each night. I take it between 5 and 6 PM."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 13, 2017

For ADHD "I'm a single father of a 9-year-old boy, and I want to warn other parents to stay away from this drug. My son was sleepy and irritable during the day. His teachers could not put up with it, and I had to switch him to another school, which solved nothing. I have learned that ADHD does not define my child, and I expect him to behave and follow his responsibilities because I understand no one else will do this for him. It was tough at the beginning, but over time and taking generic Vyvanse helped him gain independent skills. DO NOT switch your child to this drug."

• Spe...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 11, 2020

For Tourette's Syndrome "I’ve been on it for years (I’m 18). Being fully honest, I wouldn’t say it’s great or life-changing, but I would say it’s better than the other drugs available for Tourette's. I also find it doesn’t make me sleepy, so I take it in the mornings instead of at night."

• rag...
• March 3, 2010

Guanfacine for ADHD "We just started this a week ago and have not had good results yet. My 11-year-old son had been on Focalin for about 2 years for Asperger's Syndrome and was doing great, then, like any other drug he's been on since he was 5, it just stopped working. Sure wish I knew that this would work, but so far, the results are not great. His doctor added his Risperdal back to try to cut down on the yelling out, singing at school, but so far, I am not convinced that this is going to work. We are sticking it out through this week, and I pray that I start to see some results soon. He does get very sleepy around 8 PM and falls asleep on the couch. Last night was the first night that he didn't wake up during the night crying and saying he was nauseous, yay!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2021

Guanfacine for ADHD "After Ritalin and Dex and massive weight loss with both, his pediatrician decided on this as it’s another long-lasting medication. My son, being an active boy and going into high school next year, I feel more comfortable with the one tablet and me knowing he's taking it. The first day was good, but the second he has been very sleepy, so we are going to swap to a nighttime dose of 1 mg to see if that helps, and then after the week to 2 mg. I really am hoping this works and the change in time does good. I’m in Australia and only cost him $6.60 for the month. I am glad I don't have to pay what others are paying."

• ANG...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 28, 2021

For ADHD "I’m a trans male with diagnosed ADHD. Currently, I take 20 mg Focalin XR, and it works pretty well, however, my parents are thinking of upping the dosage a bit. The first medication I was put on for my ADHD is guanfacine (5 mg of it). Something to note is that I have naturally low blood pressure, thanks to genetics. While the guanfacine did help me to sleep, I felt like I was a zombie when I was on it. It didn’t do anything at all for my ADHD aside from making me sleepy, which made me even less focused. The thing guanfacine does is lower your blood pressure. With mine already naturally being low, I fainted numerous times after getting up. I do not recommend this medication. It may work for you, but both my friend and I, who were put on it, got similar results-bad side effects, barely any good outcome."

• Eri...
• February 10, 2010

Guanfacine for ADHD "I'm a 22-year-old female. I was on Vyvanse 60 mg, but side effects were getting bad. Switched to Intuniv, only made it through 2 weeks of it. It made me very sleepy, sluggish, and cranky (could have been withdrawals from the Vyvanse). I could not wait for it to kick in for another 2 weeks as recommended."