These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT
be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An indi
vidual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
[posted 11/21/1999]
Question: Our son is 7-years-old, and has ADHD. The doctor has put him on Guanfacine (tenex). What effects will this have on his heart? How does this medication help the ADHA? What actually does this medication do? Can it be taken with over-the-counter- medications for sinus congestion? Thank you for your time in answering our questions.
Answer: Tenex is usually used as an anti-hypertensive. It however, is a central alpha blocker(central referring to the brain and alpha the type of neuro receptor). It will cause a lower blood pressure, constipation, sedation as side effects. I have no experience using it in ADHD, but I suspect he/she is looking for the sedative effect. I’d judge by results as is the norm in ADHD. See if he is better on the medication or not. This medication should not be abruptly stopped. It should have no effect on his heart, but may lower his blood pressure. There will be no problem with other over the counter medications-unless he has abruptly stopped the medication.
Back to Drug
InfoNet Home Page.
Back to Doctor FAQ main page.