Intuniv

Intuniv is a drug that is used to treat hypertension which means high blood pressure. It belongs to a group of drugs called antihypertensives.

Hypertension is a chronic disease that affects the function of heart and arteries. It can eventually lead to serious complications like stroke and heart attack.

Intuniv inhibits the nerve impulses that cause constriction of arteries. As a result, the arteries are relaxed and blood pressure is lowered.

Intuniv is available only with your doctor's prescription. This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Tablet

Before using Intuniv, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Your doctor will consider these risks before prescribing the drug and will inform you about them.

Following factors should be considered before taking this drug:

Allergies: If you have had an allergic reaction to this drug in the past, inform your doctor. You should also tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to any other drugs or food products.

Age-specific problems: The data regarding the effects of this medicine specific to the pediatric age group is not yet available. Its safety and efficacy have not been established in children.

The studies specific to the geriatric age group have not been carried out, therefore its safety and efficacy have not been established in older age group. However, geriatric population is more prone to having dizziness.

Pregnancy: Regarding the safety of usage of this drug during pregnancy, it comes under “B” category, which means that clinical trials on animals have not revealed harmful effects to the developing fetus or relevant studies have not been performed.

Drug Interactions: Certain drugs should not be used together because they can interact inside the body which can have a harmful effect. On the other hand, certain drugs are allowed to be used together.

So, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking. If there is a chance of interaction between those two drugs, the doctor may change the dose or may prescribe an alternative drug.

This medication should be used cautiously with following drugs:

• Yohimbine

Furthermore, certain medications should not be taken with alcohol or tobacco, which may also result in harmful interactions. Ask your doctor about the concurrent use of this drug along with alcohol or tobacco.

You should also inform your doctor about any other medical condition you may be suffering from, especially:

• Stomach ulcer (history of)
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Diarrhea
• Asthma (history of)
• Pheochromocytoma
• Heart attack or stroke (recent)

To use Intuniv properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. High blood pressure can not only be controlled by mere medications. In the long run, exercise and proper diet are necessary to control the blood pressure.

This drug will not cure your hypertension; it will only lower it for a day. You have to keep taking this drug regularly in order to keep your blood pressure within normal range.

Keep checking your blood pressure for the first few days and try to make a chart to determine whether there is an effective control or not by this drug.

To avoid adverse effects, this drug should be used exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not overuse or misuse this drug and do not use it longer than the recommended time. Read all the instructions mentioned in the medication guide. This medicine should be taken with food in order to enhance its absorption in the gut.

Do not miss any dose. The dose of this drug varies according to the condition of each person. The number of doses per day, the time interval between the doses and the length of time you have to take the medicine depends on your condition individually and all these factors should only be determined by your healthcare provider. Follow each and every instruction of your doctor and also read the label carefully.

In case you miss one dose of this drug, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your subsequent dose, you can then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at once.

Storage: This medicine should be stored at room temperature within a closed container, away from heat, direct light, and moisture. Keep this drug out of the reach of children. Do not store expired or outdated medicines or the medicine no longer needed.

In using Intuniv, you must be careful and take some precautions as advised by your doctor. This medication may lead to dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting especially if you stand for a long time.

The effects of this medication may be aggravated if you are using it with alcohol or any other CNS depressant.

It is important for your doctor to monitor the response to medicine and look for any side effects. Therefore, regular follow-up is necessary during and after the treatment. Contact your doctor if your symptoms have not improved even after taking the full course of treatment.

Avoid taking any other medicine unless thoroughly discussed with your doctor. Always ask your doctor before using any prescription, non-prescription or herbal medicine.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Intuniv. Although these side effects may occur only in a handful of patients but if they do occur, contact your physician immediately.

Intuniv can cause:

• faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• confusion
• blurred vision
• dizziness,
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• sweating
• the difficulty with breathing
• chest pain or discomfort
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• dizziness, or fainting
• increased need to urinate lightheadedness,
• noisy breathing
• mental depression
• it may also cause a headache.
• lightheadedness, fainting spell and dizziness.

Seek medical help instantly, if you experience any of these symptoms while on lanthanum. Also contact your health care professional immediately, if have overdosed on this drug.

If any of these side effects becomes more bothersome or does not go away, contact your doctor.