FDA Approves Intuniv for ADD and ADHD
Guanafacine is Newest Medication for Attention Deficit Disorders
Sep 21, 2009
The drug guanfacine is now approved for sale in the United States by Shire, a pharmaceutical company from England. The ADHD medication is marketed under the name Intuniv. The drug has been given the go-ahead for children age 6 to 17 and can be prescribed beginning in November 2009. Prescription strengths include 1 mg (milligram), 2 mg, 3 mg, and 4 mg. The pill is available as extended release and need only be taken once a day.
Shire is adding this as their fourth medication to be marketed in the U.S. for ADD and ADHD symptoms. Their other ADD and ADHD medications include Adderall XR, Vyvanse, and Daytrana.
Because it is non-stimulant, Intuniv addresses some of the concerns many parents have with other types of ADHD medications, including lack of sleep and inability to gain weight. According to Mike Cola, President of Shire Specialty Pharmaceuticals," Intuniv is part of an overall approach toward managing ADHD and may help provide symptom control for children and teens with ADHD who often have difficulty responding appropriately to everyday situations and challenges." The only other current FDA approved non-stimulant ADD/ADHD medication is Strattera, made by the pharmaceutical company Lilly.
Intinuv helps ADD and ADHD
According to Shire, Intuniv has been show to help with symptoms of ADD and ADHD, including:
- Disruptive behavior
- Hyperactivity
- Impulsiveness
- Attention/distraction
- Difficult behavior, such as arguing, temper issue
- Inability to sit still
How Intuniv (Guanafacine) Works for ADD and ADHD
Guanafacine works on the part of the brain that has been linked to ADHD. It is thought that the most common cause of ADHD comes from a combination of different genes that affect dopamine transmitters in the brain. Intuniv is called a nonscheduled selective alpha-2A receptor-agonist and engages the the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptors.
This helps enhance function, improves memory, attention and behavior, and helps with distraction and better impulse control.
Causes of ADD and ADHD
According to National Institutes of Health Diagnosis and Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, attention Disorders like ADD and ADHD are generally accepted to be inherited but may also be caused by environmental factors such as:
- toxin or allergies
- illnesses in childhood
- developmental during pregnancy
- caused by problems with pregnancy
Potential Side Effects of ADD Medications like Intuniv
Common side effects and reactions to Intuniv may include
- dry mouth
- sleepiness or sedative effect
- stomach trouble, including abdominal pain and constipation
- dizziness,
- low blood pressure
Deciding which type of ADD and ADHD medication is best for a child or teen can be challenging. If stimulant drugs are causing trouble with sleep or eating, non-stimulant medications like Intuniv are a good alternative and show promise with their success. According to Dr. Kenny Handelman a child and adolescent psychiatrist practicing just outside Toronto, Canada, a 2001 study done on the effects of guanafacine for children with ADD and ADHD showed a 37 percent improvement in their symptoms.
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