Precautions
Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
Your doctor should check you or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to decide if you or your child should continue to take it.
You or your child will also need to have your blood pressure and heart rate measured before starting this medicine and while you or your child are using it. If you notice any change to you or your child's recommended blood pressure or heart rate, call your doctor right away. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.
Do not suddenly stop taking this medicine without checking first with your doctor. Stopping this medicine suddenly may increase your blood pressure and heart rate (rebound hypertension). Your doctor may want you to slowly reduce the amount you or your child are taking before stopping it completely.
Make sure that you have enough guanfacine on hand to last through the weekends, holidays, and vacations. You should not miss any doses. You may want to ask your doctor for another written prescription for guanfacine to carry in your wallet or purse. You can then have it filled if you run out when you are away from home.
Before having any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, tell the medical doctor or dentist in charge that you are using this medicine.
Guanfacine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, medicine for seizures or barbiturates, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you or your child are using this medicine.
Guanfacine may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, faint, lightheaded, or less alert than they are normally. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Also, standing up slowly when getting up from a lying or sitting position may also help.
This medicine may worsen heart rhythm problems (eg, sinus node dysfunction, atrioventricular block), especially in patients who are taking other medicines. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
Guanfacine may cause dryness of the mouth, nose, and throat. For temporary relief of mouth dryness, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if dry mouth continues for more than 2 weeks, check with your physician or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal (eg, St. John's wort) or vitamin supplements.
Portions of this document last updated: May 01, 2024
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