Guanfacine Addiction: Signs and Side Effects of Guanfacine Abuse

Guanfacine is a prescription medication that is primarily used in treating high blood pressure and in the treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is most frequently found under the brand names Intuniv or Tenex.

Unlike some other popular ADHD medications like Adderall and Ritalin, guanfacine is a non-stimulant and considered non-addictive and much safer. However, guanfacine still has a rare potential for misuse due to its sedating and calming effects.

Because of this potential, it is important to understand the possible signs of prescription drug misuse or addiction if you or a loved one is currently taking this medication.

Read on to learn more about these signs, as well as more about the side effects and withdrawal symptoms of guanfacine and Intuniv abuse and addiction.

Guanfacine is not considered addictive in the traditional sense, as other ADHD medications can be. People can, however, still develop addictive behaviors with it under certain conditions, and there is Intuniv misuse potential.

Guanfacine is an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist, meaning it stimulates these receptors and reduces the release of norepinephrine. Since this is a stress-related neurotransmitter, reducing it leads to calmness and sedation.

In addition to this, guanfacine increases function in the prefrontal cortex, leading to increased attention and working memory, better impulsivity control, and better emotion regulation.

Finally, guanfacine also reduces activity in the sympathetic nervous system, which can help to relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure and heart rate.

Guanfacine is safe when taken as directed, but it can result in psychological dependence when misused or abused. When someone is psychologically dependent, they believe they can no longer function normally without it, even though they physically can.

Misuse means when someone takes guanfacine at higher doses than they were prescribed or combines it with other substances or sedatives. It can also mean taking guanfacine when not in possession of a prescription.

Guanfacine reduces sympathetic nervous system activity, which in turn causes relaxation, drowsiness, and calmness. Though guanfacine does not cause the euphoria associated with other prescription drugs, some people may abuse it for these calming effects instead.

Some people may also misuse guanfacine as a way to counteract the effects of stimulant drugs and help them relax and sleep after taking them. With continued use in this manner, they may unintentionally develop a calming prescription drug addiction while attempting to avoid a stimulant addiction.

Guanfacine abuse and guanfacine addiction are very closely related, though they are not exactly the same thing.

Abuse is often a precursor to addiction, as it is often behaviors related to misuse and abuse that result in a person’s use becoming problematic or out of their control.

Once the signs of abuse are recognized, however, they can often be treated before turning into ADHD drug addiction.

Difference between abuse and addiction:

• Abuse: taking the drug in ways not prescribed, such as in higher doses or combining it with other substances.
• Addiction: compulsive use despite negative consequences, often with psychological dependence.

Guanfacine lacks the ingredients to make it addictive in the vast majority of cases, but it is still possible for people to misuse it and for this misuse of non-stimulant drugs to become more consistent with time.

This can happen as people naturally build up a tolerance with long-term use or because a person has become psychologically dependent on the drug to help them sleep or feel calm.

Dependence on guanfacine is very rare but still possible under certain circumstances, and can be one of the signs of addiction.

Guanfacine dependence is not common, as it is meant to be non-addictive. It is still possible in certain situations, however, particularly with long-term use of guanfacine or when someone stops suddenly.

People may find that they have trouble sleeping or staying calm after stopping guanfacine suddenly, and it is often a fear of these symptoms that keeps people in a cycle of misuse and dependence.

In terms of tolerance, someone may show signs of guanfacine, like needing higher doses in order to feel the same therapeutic effects they are used to, as well as taking doses beyond what is prescribed to treat co-occurring disorders like anxiety or depression.

On the other hand, if someone is showing withdrawal symptoms like hypertension, increased heart rate, restlessness, and agitation, it can also be a sign that a dependence is developing.

People can become dependent on guanfacine even when taken by prescription, because the body adjusts physiologically over time to its presence, and it can lead to baseline changes with long-term use.

Because of this, prescribing physicians should always keep a close eye on their guanfacine patients and monitor them for side effects and other symptoms of Intuniv tolerance.

Knowing the signs of guanfacine addiction and symptoms of ADHD drug abuse can help a loved one to get the treatment they need before it gets out of control.

This information can also be useful if you have a prescription for guanfacine yourself and are concerned about how much you are using.

An addiction to guanfacine may be apparent in both physical and behavioral ways, though it may not be obvious unless the addiction is severe.

If you notice even a few of these signs in yourself or a loved one, it may be a good idea to seek out or suggest professional help through a prescription drug addiction treatment program.

Behavioral signs of guanfacine addiction include:

• Repeated requests for early refills
• Doctor shopping
• Prescription forging
• Combining guanfacine with alcohol, opioids, or other depressants
• Neglecting responsibilities
• Emotional detachment or apathy
• Memory problems or mental fog
• Defensive or secretive behavior
• Being unable to cut back or slow down on use

Physical signs of guanfacine addiction include:

• Sedation or sluggishness
• Low blood pressure
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Blurred vision
• Pale or cool skin
• Poor motor coordination
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using

Attempting to avoid withdrawal symptoms is often what keeps people caught in a cycle of misusing or abusing substances, even non-stimulants like guanfacine.

Guanfacine is not known for having strong withdrawal symptoms as a non-stimulant, but the chances of experiencing withdrawal symptoms are greater when it is stopped suddenly.

These withdrawal symptoms and Intuniv detox effects do have the rare potential for being dangerous due to their effect on a person’s blood pressure and central nervous system.

Guanfacine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Rebound hypertension
• Irritability or anxiety
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Headache or dizziness
• Increased heart rate
• Agitation and mood changes
• Return or worsening of ADHD symptoms
• Tremors and shakiness
• Worsening of pre-existing mental health conditions

It is usually recommended to taper off guanfacine slowly and under the supervision of medical professionals, and ideally, the prescribing physician.

This is so that any issues or symptoms that arise can be addressed quickly, and that the tapering schedule can be adjusted as needed for stopping guanfacine safely.

When guanfacine is abused, it can cause certain adverse effects, particularly in people who have pre-existing conditions.

Common side effects can, of course, be greater or more severe on a higher or more frequent dose of guanfacine.

Guanfacine can have negative side effects for people in both the short-term and long-term, though it is not known for producing serious side effects when used as directed.

Short-term effects typically occur after someone has taken a higher dose than prescribed, used it outside of a prescription, or combined it with other substances, particularly other sedatives.

Short-term effects of guanfacine misuse include:

• Excessive drowsiness and sleepiness
• Slow heart rate
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Headaches
• Nausea and digestive issues
• Potential for overdose when combining guanfacine and alcohol or opioids
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Dry mouth
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Cognitive impairment
• Mood changes
• Increased risk for respiratory depression

Long-term effects, on the other hand, generally occur with prolonged misuse and especially chronic overuse. Guanfacine is not considered highly addictive, but the long-term misuse of sedating medications can result in serious health complications.

Long-term effects of guanfacine misuse include:

• Physical dependence
• Depression or emotional flatness
• Rebound hypertension
• Persistent fatigue and lethargy
• Cardiovascular and blood pressure issues
• Gastrointestinal issues
• Social and functional impairment

A fatal overdose on guanfacine is not a common occurrence, though it is still possible, with the risk much greater when other central nervous system depressants are used at the same time.

This includes taking guanfacine while drinking alcohol or while using opioids or benzodiazepines. All of these can cause drowsiness and excessive sleepiness when combined, and using them together can dangerously amplify their effects.

While having a prescription for guanfacine is the biggest risk factor for developing an addiction to it, there are additional factors that can make someone more prone to addiction.

Risk factors for substance misuse and abuse are often a combination of both personal factors and environmental factors.

Someone who misuses Intuniv or another ADHD medication may have several of these factors present in their life simultaneously.

Guanfacine addiction risk factors include:

• Co-occurring anxiety or insomnia: Someone who has a co-occurring mental health disorder may abuse guanfacine as a means of self-medicating to help them relax or sleep.
• History of substance use disorder: Someone with a history of substance use involving alcohol or a different drug will be more prone to misuse a prescription drug like guanfacine, as they may be more influenced by drug cues and cravings and familiar with using substances as a coping mechanism.
• Polysubstance use: A person may be more likely to become addicted to guanfacine if they are using it along with other addictive substances like alcohol, opioids, or Xanax and other benzodiazepines, and especially if they have co-occurring substance use disorders.
• Teens or college-age users under academic or social pressure: Young individuals and adolescents may take guanfacine recreationally or outside of a prescription to increase academic performance and better compete with their peers.
• Use without a prescription: Someone without a prescription and who is using guanfacine without guidance or direction and based on their discretion, is more likely to use it in ways that could be considered abusive and lead to addiction.

You may suspect that you or a family member is addicted to guanfacine; however, a true substance use disorder can only be diagnosed by a healthcare professional.

Healthcare professionals often use certain specific tools to diagnose someone with a substance use disorder.

Diagnostic tools for guanfacine addiction include:

• Review of drug use behavior and intent: An interview between the individual and a clinician can help determine patterns in their drug use and history that would indicate a problem with addiction.
• DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder: To qualify for an ADHD medication abuse diagnosis or other substance use disorder diagnosis, someone must meet at least 2 of 11 criteria within a 12-month period, as according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Criteria include having strong cravings, using in physically dangerous situations, repeated unsuccessful efforts to quit, and experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using.
• Urine drug screening: While someone prescribed guanfacine is likely to test positive for it, a urine test is helpful in that it can detect if polysubstance use is an issue.

An addiction to guanfacine is not usually diagnosed on its own as such, but is usually considered part of a broader substance abuse disorder. This is because it is most often abused along with other substances.

Once someone has been properly diagnosed as having a substance use disorder involving guanfacine, an individualized addiction treatment plan can be made for them to move forward with guanfacine treatment.

Here are questions that are commonly asked about guanfacine and addiction.

If you are starting to recognize the signs of guanfacine abuse in yourself or a loved one, remember that there is no shame in seeking help for guanfacine addiction, and early intervention is essential.

On this note, addiction should always be considered a medical issue, not a moral failing. No one chooses addiction, but anyone can choose for themselves to end their addiction.

For more information about guanfacine addiction and other types of substance use disorder treatment, contact us at RehabNet addiction help today. We are a free and confidential service for locating rehab centers and treatment programs around the United States.

Never forget that support is available and that recovery is possible with the right guidance – call us now to access prescription drug help resources and to get started right away.