Help with experience on this medication

[Guest guest]

Does anyone have any experience with a medicine called INTUNIV, a doctor wants me to try it on my son who has autism and extreme severe stimming behavior that are possibly tics, any experiences good or bad. We have tried behavior modifications and diets, advice needed on this medication. Thank you.

[Guest guest]

Your doctor must have just had a visit from a pharmaceutical representative,

this is a newely approved long acting form of Tenex the blood pressure medicine.

Here is some information on side effects.

From:

http://www.4therapy.com/consumer/medications/item.php?uniqueid=124 & categoryid=69

Side-Effect Information

Only some people will experience side-effects--and no one experiences side

effects in exactly the same way. If you experience any side effects, contact

your doctor or clinician right away and continue taking your medication. The

following list may not contain all of the side effects associated with this

medication:

Most Common Side-Effects drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, mild lowering of

blood pressure on standing (orthostatic hypotension)

Infrequent Side-Effects skin problems (skin rash, itching), headache, dizziness,

fatigue, insomnia, indigestion, nausea, diarrhea, slow heartbeat

Rare Side-Effects/Risks amnesia, liver toxicity, edema or leg cramp, " rebound "

high blood pressure (if stopped abruptly), sexual problems (decreased libido,

impotence)

Most common side-effects

Drowsiness

Some people report feelings of drowsiness throughout the day. If drowsiness is a

problem for you, talk to your doctor about it. He or she may change your dose or

tell you to take the medication at night. In the meantime, be sure not to drive

a car or operate other heavy machinery while you are feeling drowsy.

Dry mouth

Some people taking your medications experience dry mouth. Although dry mouth may

not go away completely, it usually gets better with time. Dry mouth can be

relieved by sucking on hard candy or crushed ice, drinking plenty of fluids, or

eating frozen grapes.

Hypotension

Hypotension is abnormally low blood pressure. Temporary hypotension may result

in a simple faint. Certain medications should be used with particular caution in

people with known cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, or conditions

associated with hypotension.

Infrequent side-effects

Skin problems

Some people taking your medication may develop an allergic reaction in the form

of a rash, hives or itchiness.

Headache

Your medication can cause headaches, which often fade as your body adjusts to

the medication. If you experience headaches, and they're disruptive, talk to

your doctor before you take any pain medications. He or she can let you know

which medications are safe to take with your medications.

Dizziness

If you feel dizzy when you sit or stand up quickly, there are some precautions

that you can take to avoid injury. Get up very slowly from a laying or sitting

position and make sure you have something to hold onto as you get up. Then, wait

a moment or two before you start walking.

Fatigue

When you begin taking your medication, you may experience fatigue. Fatigue is

mental or physical tiredness. If this symptom becomes bothersome, consult your

doctor for additional information.

Insomnia

If you experience insomnia as a result of your medication, your doctor may

change your dose, prescribe a medicine to help you sleep, advise you to take the

medication in the morning, or change your medication altogether. To combat

insomnia, avoid eating heavy meals, exercising, or drinking caffeinated

beverages before bed.

Indigestion

Some people taking your medication may experience indigestion. Indigestion is

usually seen when the medication is first taken, and will improve without

specific treatment. Ask a physician about which over-the-counter drugs are safe

to take with this medication.

Nausea

Most people who experience this side effect notice that it disappears in a few

weeks. To reduce or eliminate nausea, eat several small meals per day instead of

three big ones, or try snacking on dry toast or crackers.

Diarrhea

Loose and/or frequent bowel movements distinguish this side effect. Severe or

prolonged diarrhea can cause a loss of needed fluid and nutrients. There are

over-the-counter medications to counteract diarrhea, however; check with your

doctor to see what can be done about this side effect.

Slow Heartbeat

Some medication can cause one's heart rate to slow down. Usually, this is not a

serious side effect but contact your doctor if it persists or you are worried

about it.

Rare side-effects/Risks

Amnesia

A rare side effect, amnesia, which is characterized by a total or partial loss

of memory, can occur when taking this medication. Consult your doctor

immediately if this side effect occurs.

Liver irritation

The symptoms of liver irritation include extreme tiredness, severe nausea, and

yellowing of the whites of the eyes and skin. Contact your doctor right away if

you experience any of these symptoms!

Peripheral Edema

Swelling of the feet can be caused by your medication. The swelling is minor if

your shoes feel tight but it is severe if you are not able to get your shoes on

and your feet hurt. Notify your doctor if you are experiencing peripheral edema.

To help reduce swelling:

•If you are going to be sitting for some time, sit with your legs elevated

•Do not stand for long periods of time

•Move your legs often, working muscles in your legs will help keep the fluid to

a minimum

High Blood Pressure (hypertension)

High blood pressure, or hypertension, can be caused, among other reasons, by

certain medications. This side effect may disappear over time or may cease when

medication is stopped. Consult your physician about what steps to take if you

experience the following side effect.

Sexual difficulties

Changes in sexual function may include difficulty achieving orgasm, difficulty

maintaining an erection, delayed ejaculation, or decreased physical sensation.

These problems are sometimes the most difficult for people to discuss. They

might feel embarrassed and instead of mentioning it to their physicians, they

suffer with it or worse yet, stop their medication on their own. Doctors are

accustomed to talking about these problems and they are trying to help you

recover. Please do not hesitate to talk to your doctor if you experience this or

any other side effect or risk.

Side-effects and risks other than those listed above may also occur. Talk to

your prescribing doctor or therapist about any potential or existing

side-effects that you're concerned about.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by

4therapy.com is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is made to that

effect.

4therapy.com's medication information is a reference resource designed as a

supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge, and

judgment of healthcare practitioners in patient care. 4therapy.com does not

assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid

of information 4therapy.com provides.

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/adhdmedications/p/0108_intuniv.htm

Intuniv Side Effects:

Side effects of Intuniv most commonly include somnolence, which can occur in up

to 38% of patients, headaches, fatigue, upper abdominal pain, nausea, lethargy,

dizziness, irritability, decreased blood pressure, and decreased appetite.

Although somnolence occurs in a large number of children when they start taking

Intuniv, it seems to get better as they continue to take it.

Warnings:

•Intuniv should be used cautiously if your child is at risk for low blood

pressure, bradycardia (low heart rate), heart block, or syncope (fainting), and

those also taking ketoconazole, rifampin, valprioic acid, antihypertensive

drugs, or CNS depressants (sedatives, antipsychotics, etc.).

•Intuniv should not be taken with a high-fat meal. It can be taken with water,

milk, or other liquids.

•Intuniv should be discontinued slowly, by decreasing or tapering the dose over

several weeks, and should not be stopped suddenly.

More information on Tenex:

http://www.depression-guide.com/tenex.htm

Nagla

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> Does anyone have any experience with a medicine called INTUNIV, a doctor wants

me to try it on my son who has autism and extreme severe stimming behavior that

are possibly tics, any experiences good or bad.  We have tried behavior

modifications and diets, advice needed on this medication.  Thank you.

>

>

[Guest guest]

What kind of stims are you having trouble with? For my son some stimms are caused by an excess of Yeast in the gut. Keep in mind that any medicine will have side effects and you will not be getting to the root of why the stim is occuring. Some stims can actually be CAUSED by certain medications tics have recently been associated with Risperdal in the form of Tardive Dyskenisia. Remember also that there are no drugs to treat Autism it's all off label. Let us know how it goes.

Trina

 

Does anyone have any experience with a medicine called INTUNIV, a doctor wants me to try it on my son who has autism and extreme severe stimming behavior that are possibly tics, any experiences good or bad.  We have tried behavior modifications and diets, advice needed on this medication.  Thank you.

[Guest guest]

Sometimes high ammonia causes stimming. few DAN docs even look at it. It is a

blood test but must be done correctly.

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> > Does anyone have any experience with a medicine called INTUNIV, a doctor

wants me to try it on my son who has autism and extreme severe stimming behavior

that are possibly tics, any experiences good or bad.  We have tried behavior

modifications and diets, advice needed on this medication.  Thank you.

> >

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