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Tenex, |Tenex

Tenex

Generic Name: guanfacine (GWAHN fa seen)
Brand Names: Tenex

What is guanfacine?

Guanfacine lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows your blood vessels (veins and arteries) to relax (widen) and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.

Guanfacine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Guanfacine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about guanfacine?

Use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position and take guanfacine at bedtime if possible. Guanfacine will make you drowsy and may cause some dizziness.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking guanfacine?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

• have any type of heart disease,

• have had a heart attack or a stroke,

• have kidney disease, or
• have liver disease.

You may need a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment with guanfacine if you have any of the conditions listed above.

How should I take guanfacine?

Take guanfacine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take guanfacine at bedtime unless otherwise directed by your doctor. This medication may make you drowsy and may cause some dizziness. Taking it at bedtime may help to prevent falls and injuries.

Do not stop taking this medication suddenly even if you feel better. Taking this medication regularly is important in the treatment of your condition.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a guanfacine overdose include drowsiness, a sluggish feeling, weakness, lightheadedness, a slow heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and possibly seizures.

What should I avoid while taking guanfacine?

Do not take other drugs such as sleeping pills, prescription pain relievers, antihistamines, or antidepressants without first talking to your doctor. These medicines may increase the drowsiness caused by guanfacine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any other prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking.

Guanfacine side effects

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• a very slow heart rate (fewer than 60 beats per minute); or

• unusually high or low blood pressure (fainting, a severe headache, flushing of your face).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take guanfacine and talk to your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• unusual fatigue, dizziness, or tiredness;

• headache;

• constipation, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea;

• insomnia; or

• dry mouth (sucking on ice chips or sugarless hard candy may relieve this side effect).

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect guanfacine?

Guanfacine may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with guanfacine or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about guanfacine written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Guanfacine is available with a prescription under the brand name Tenex. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Tenex 1 mg--diamond-shaped, light-pink tablets

• Tenex 2 mg--diamond-shaped, yellow tablets

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ("Multum") is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum"s drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum"s drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.