Intuniv - Irritability/depression
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My 11 yr old daughter was diagnosed with ADHD 5 yrs ago. We have still not found the right combination of medicines for her. Impulsive behavior became a major issue for us. Our ped neurologist suggested intuniv. Since she was also battling anxiety, she started zoloft and intunive while stopping stimulants completely. After a few months, we saw behavioral changes and opted to stop the zoloft. The intuniv alone was not enough to control the inattentiveness, so she is now on a stimulant along with the intuniv. Now we are struggling in a major way with her being disrespectful to us, screaming at us and her sisters, and just being plain out rude ugly to everyone. She thinks everyone is against her. When we speak to her in a authoritative tone, she thinks we are screaming at her. She thinks her teachers do not like her....etc, etc, etc. Just tonight, I started wondering if the Intuniv could be causing this type of side effect. I read the side effects online and it does say that it can cause irritability....but it is doing such a great job of controlling the hyperactivity and impulsivity in a way that the stimulant does not (since the stimulant has the crash and burn effect after a certain period of time). I am really stumped!

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62

I am on Intuniv & I feel angry or irritated. It helps but it definitely puts me in a more negative head space. I think its Intuniv doing that to me.

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61

I had been having the same exact issue with my daughter. The attitude disrespectful behavior, rudeness. I have also think it has to do with the Intuniv.

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60

It has been my experience that stimulants make my son (11) irritable and angry. Not all but most. I would stop the stimulant before stopping the intuniv.

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59

Because the post is not about therapy whatsoever. The Post is just about the side effects Of intuniv

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58

I decided to try Intuniv for my son to help with his ADHD because the doctor said that it would not have any side effects like the stimulant medications has. He has been on it for about a month and I have noticed increased aggression and anger, horrible meltdowns. The doctor is still saying that the medication isn't causing this but I definitely see a difference in his behavior since he has starting taking this medicine. I will be taking him off. Nothing seems to work for him, he has been on several different meds that have the same effect.

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57

My son 8yr old son was put on intunive 1mg he has been on it 2.5 mths and he has severe mood swings and is asking and crying for help. We are taking him off of it . I believe this medication is dangerous and not effective for anyone. It's awful. Hisanger is out of control since he started taking it and the risks are not worth it. They should take this off the market! I'm a nurse and it scares me to think what could happen to these children who are suffering on it.

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56

Yes major irritability and defiance ....my son has been on it 3 mths and it's horrible we are stopping it immediately !!!

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55

This has been so helpful to see other parents reaching out as they try to help their children. My daughter has struggled since she's little. I knew and wanted to wait til she could clearly explain what she was feeling before trying medication. She also has bed wetting issues now at age 9. Once school began reaching out to home for help we knew it was time. She was disruptive and agitated and very hands on with kids at school. She crawled out of her skin at bedtime with full blown agitation and so at age 7 we began medication for adhd. This diagnosed first by her psychologist counselor, then a PhD counselor and a Psychiatric NP. Concerta caused weepy emotional fluctuations with no real change at school. Adderral caused upset stomach with no change in behavior. Strattera was the only medication that helped drastically without a single nite episode of panic and full out tantrum, school was smooth with snacks at the nurse to help with a little morning nausea. But her headaches and nausea became so bothersome over time. Tried night time and it gave her bounding pulsating headaches. After weaning we started Intuniv. During the wean all the behaviors restarted with arguing, night panic and tantrums and fear of going to sleep. Intuniv worsened the behaviors to the point of screaming aggressive night episodes. She made it 2 weeks with constant apologizing after the outbursts but it only worsened until she was taken off Intuniv. Now at age 9 we know strattera is the right med but how does the headache and nausea side effect get controlled? I am losing support from her father on meds out of frustration and fear we are doing long term damage with med trials. Any input is appreciated.

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54

You never mentioned exactly what meds he is on. We were thinking of trying Brain Balance, a brain training place as well.

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53

my son is having the exact same symptoms. he is even convinced that his 4 year old sister hates him as well. This is new. He has been on Intunive since July.

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52

I can tell you first hand that exactly what youve described is the intuniv. Sorry for the bad news but thats exactly it. Take her off the intuniv for a little while and watch the irritability disappear.

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51

I have the same exzact issues with my 16 year old daughter. Same disrespect and screaming and when we take the authority tone or any tone for that matter she too thinks we are yelling. It;s frustrating and exhauting for the family!! Help!! Not sure if the intuniv is doing this. She is on prozac and intuniv for impulse control. She has been on these meds for at least 4 years now Don't know what to switch her too. I know we need to switch things up. Any ideas. When not on prozac she gets panic attacks scared to change due to school We need help thanks

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50

do NOT ever split the tabs. that is dangerous!

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49

Our daughter is 10 years old and I tried 5 different ADHD medication and the one that we like the most in Intuniv but it's only been one month. I agree with you, she is sometimes moody, very rude, we are also very upset. The meds worked well for the impulsiveness but I can tell she is irritable.

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48

Sounds like your child is very intelligent and sensitive. Why are you putting him in an after school care program? For god sakes, he needs his mother!

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47

My son is on intuniv 2 mg. He takes it at night and that helps with the sleepiness. He also is taking 10 mg of lexapro. He was diagnosed a few years back with ADHD and was put on stumulants..concerta then vyvance. The stimulants made him paranoid and he had outbursts. After finally finding a child psychiatrist he was diagnosed last year with DMDD. Look up the symptoms for this. It is a new diagnosis. It described my son to a t. We have had a much better school year. Still have bumps and now puberty is playing a role.

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46

Just realized I didn't mention the names of the combo med. He is now on 10mg. Daytrana Patch and 1 mg. Intunitive. Before using the combo, we could choose to take the patch off earlier on the weekend so he can still function at baseball and at church on Sunday. But once the med. wears off (approx. within 3hours). He would be back to the hyperactive boy again. Yes, we did try to take him off Intunitive and he has outbursts for no reason also. But, like I said, the combo turned out to be the perfect does and combination for him.

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45

My son was diagnosed with ADHD and Anxiety Disorder. Since 2nd grade we tried different kinds of med. Until the summer before 6th grade, we heard of a place called Neurocore that does braining training. Along side with the treatment and the recommendation of his pediatrician, he is turning 13 in a few months and is on the lowest dose of both medications. The combo does magic to him. When he was in elementary school, he was functioning but could not socialize with people around him. Funny enough when he started 6th grade, one day he came home smiling telling us his friends don't like him because they are not used to the outgoing person he has become. He is now eating, growing, has a personality and we even got a note from one of his teachers a while ago telling us how much she appreciates having him the the class. The patch is expensive. It costs $70 a month, but seeing our son has a life and have friends, and a comment from his teacher saying he is respectful. It is well worth it.

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44

My 5 year old son was also placed on Ritalin which caused havoc .. we went back to the neurologist and pleaded for something different.
So they started him on quillivant this is a liquid form of med and thank goodness ... It has been a dream of a child for us. One thing he has lost weight and his appetite changed but for the better

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43

All too similar to our 12 year old son's experience. I am at a loss but am really considering pulling him off everything. Stimulants caused him to have tic he never had before taking any meds. Moved to Intuiv which stopped the tics, minimal help on grades and impulsive/dark behavior has increased. Just don't think it is worth putting him through this.

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