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Intuniv Side Effects
Although many people have no problems with Intuniv, side effects are possible. Common ones reported with the ADHD medication include drowsiness, low blood pressure, and dizziness. When side effects occur with this drug, they tend to be mild and easy to treat. Problems such as fainting or difficulty breathing are more serious, however, and should be reported to your healthcare provider.
As with any medicine, side effects are possible with Intuniv™ (guanfacine ER). However, not everyone who takes the medication will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are treated easily by you or your healthcare provider.
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with Intuniv. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list with you.)
Common Side Effects of Intuniv
Intuniv has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials. In these studies, the side effects that occurred in a group of people taking the drug were documented and compared to those that occurred in another group of people taking a placebo (a "sugar pill" with no active ingredients).
This way, it is possible to see what Intuniv side effects occurred, how often they appeared, and how they compared to the placebo. Some studies (especially the long-term studies) did not use a placebo.
In these studies, the most common side effects seen with Intuniv included:
- Drowsiness -- in up to 45 percent of people
- Headache -- up to 26 percent
- Fatigue -- up to 15 percent
- Upper abdominal pain (stomach pain) -- up to 11 percent
- Low blood pressure (hypotension) -- up to 10 percent
- Vomiting -- up to 9 percent
- Dizziness -- up to 7 percent
- Nausea -- up to 7 percent
- Weight gain -- up to 7 percent.
Other common reactions, occurring in 3 to 6 percent of people, included:
- Irritability
- Decreased appetite
- Dry mouth
- Constipation.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD