What is Tenex used for?

Tenex is prescribed to treat high blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension. If someone has high blood pressure, it means that their heart is working harder than it should to pump blood around the body. If this continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This could result in damaged blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys which could result in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure.

How does Tenex work?

Tenex is an oral medication that contains the active ingredient Guanfacine. The Guanfacine dosage acts in the brain; it reduces nerve impulses in your heart and blood vessels. When taken as directed, this medication relaxes the blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Before taking Tenex, read all the instructions and paper work that given to you by your pharmacist. Take your Tenex dosage orally once a day. Make sure you take it at the same time each day to create a routine for yourself and to ensure an even spread of the Guanfacine dosage in your system. This medication should be taken on a regular basis to have optimal results. The Tenex dosage that you take will depend on your condition and your age. Take this drug exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change or increase your dose. You should continue taking this medication even if you feel well.

Tenex or the generic may contain medical and non medical ingredients that could cause an allergic reaction. Consult with your doctor about any known allergies before taking Tenex. Speak with your doctor about any known medical conditions especially those relating to heart problems, coronary artery disease, heart rhythm disorder, heart attack or stroke, high or low blood pressure, liver disease, or kidney disease. Tell your doctor about any current medications or supplementation to avoid interactions or unwanted side effects of Guanfacine.

Some common Tenex side effects include:

Dizziness, drowsiness, low blood pressure, slow heartbeats, feeling tired or irritable, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, stomach pain, nausea, or constipation

If any side effects of Guanfacine become unmanageable speak with your doctor or pharmacist for help in managing any side effects. For any serious side effects that occur speak with your doctor right away for further treatment options.

What is Guanfacine?

Guanfacine is the active ingredient that made up Tenex (a discontinued brand-name medication), responsible for its therapeutic effects and benefits; it is the generic alternative for Tenex. It is an antihypertensive alpha-2 adrenergic agonist which is taken orally as a tablet with a half-life of 10-17 hours in adults. Each tablet contains 1 or 2 mg of Guanfacine and is available only to those with a valid prescription.

What is Guanfacine used for?

Guanfacine is primarily used for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure). Blood pressure is a measurement of the force of blood against blood vessel walls; when blood pressure is high; it puts extra strain on the heart and poses multiple health complications. Using Guanfacine can help reduce the risk of these complications by lowering blood pressure; this may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack, stroke, and coronary heart disease (harmful build-up of plaque in the arteries of the heart). It may also be used alongside other hypertensive medications.

What is Tenex used for in children?

Tenex can also be prescribed for ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), which is common use for Tenex in children 12 years old and up. Tenex is a non-stimulant medication that can be used alone or with a stimulant to help to improve the child’s attention span as well as minimize impulsive and hyperactive behavior. However, you will need to make an appointment with your child’s doctor; only they can determine if this medication is right for your child.

How long does Guanfacine take to work?

The exact amount of time it takes for Guanfacine to work will vary; many personal factors, such as age, weight, and gender will determine the answer. In general, it could take a few weeks for this medication to show improvement. If you are concerned about how long this medication will take to work, you may want to consult with your doctor for a more accurate answer based off your specific factors.

What does Guanfacine do?

Guanfacine activates a certain receptor (α2A adrenoceptors) in the central nervous system (brain and spine); this causes a chain reaction of reduced nerve impulses in the heart and blood vessels which relaxes the blood vessels, improves blood flow, and ultimately lowers blood pressure.

What is the difference between Intuniv and Tenex?

These two medications seem like the same medication at a quick glance; however, they are actually quite different.  Both medications are made up of the alpha-2 adrenergic agonist drug called Guanfacine, however Tenex is actually made up of the salt form of Guanfacine, called Guanfacine Hydrochloride, and is available as an immediate release tablet; Intuniv does not use the salt form and is available as an extended release tablet. Since Intuniv is an extended release tablet, it is only needed once per day, as oppose to Tenex, which is commonly taken twice per day. Additionally, Intuniv (approved in 2009) is a much newer medication compared to Tenex (approved in 1986), which brings us to an important difference for many patients; price. Since Intuniv is a newer medication, the cost (about $10.24/tablet) is much higher than Tenex ($2.61/tablet); new medications are often higher in price due to the high cost of researching, developing, and marketing a new drug. Other differences include appearance and manufacturers; there may also be other differences not listed here.

Who makes Tenex?

The brand-name medication, Tenex, was manufactured by Patheon (a pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO)). However, Patheon doesn’t actually own the license for Tenex, but manufactures the medication for its client, Promius Pharma (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, a very large and respected pharmaceutical company known worldwide).

How does Tenex work for ADHD?

Asides from lowering blood pressure, Tenex also affects a certain area of the brain which has control over impulsivity and attention span. It is thought to interfere with certain receptors which strengthen the actions of the prefrontal cortex.