Intuniv - Irritability/depression (Page 2)

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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!

62 Replies (4 Pages)

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21

Yes, Intuniv can do this. I have two children on this medicine and i have taken one off because her brain was turning to (Jello) did not know anything anymore. The other one is acting the same way as your daughter. Your description fits him to a T. I will be taking him off that as well. I have already eliminated all artificial food dyes and preservatives. I have been giving them DHA/EPA supplements per their doctors suggestion. It does work and it's all natural. Although it does take a little time to build in the system. I am all for going natural.

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22

My daughter was on intuniv and it was like her brain was becoming jello, didn't know anything anymore and hated school, anger, nobody liked her. I took her off and as her doctor suggested I give her DHA/EPA (Fish Oil) that is suppose to help wilth ADHD and i will never put her on meds again. I can say I have my happy daughter back. ( I use Nordic Naturals DHA) for all my kids.

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23

Patty,
How many days did it take for you to notice a change in your daughter once she stopped the intuniv? I am noticing very similar statements and behaviors.

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24

My son is 12 yrs old been on Intuniv for 4 months...I have never seen him cry so much and I have never seen my son throw a tantrum like he does on this medication. He says he just wants to die...I have taken him off and will never put him back on it again. He never acted this way until he started taking Intuniv.

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25

Arlene, I am so glad I read your post...I thought I was going to have to get my son some major counseling myself...he is 12 also and had been on Intuniv for 4 months along with adderoll.. I started noticing at homework time alot of crying, fits on the floor...I have never seen my son cry like that ever...alot of I want to die, i dont know what is wrong with me, I just want it all to end.....really scared the you know what out of me. I thought it was the adderoll so I took him off it immediatly. Then it still continued, the school called all the time he was getting into trouble...I took him off as of today, I am hoping that he will be back to his normal self soon. When he was taking the Adderoll he had no appetite wouldnt eat at all so now I really dont know what to do. We tried Concerta and he developed a tic, I really am scared to try anything else. He has only focusing issues in school no behavor issues...

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26

She has now been off Intuniv ER for about two months, I can say, I have my daughter back. Her grades are only slightly improving however she does use her brain now. I have never seen such a thing. It was scary to watch. However my son is on the same thing and is doing great. It helps him, however the last month or so he complains about snakes and spiders all over his bed. He refuses to sleep under the covers and now needs a night light. Once school is out this year I will be taking him off it too, if it can wait that long. I hope everything works out for your child.

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27

My son is 4 and he is on only Intuniv and has been for about 3 months. He is taking 1 mg twice daily he was focused and doing great in the beginning but now he is lashing out at people, very aggressive, yelling, throwing things, and won't listen. I honestly believe that the Intuniv is not right for him.

I have a 6 year old who takes Concerta 27 mg once daily and Intuniv 1mg twice daily and has been taking it for around 8 months and I have had no problems with it. I think each individual child is different and their chemical compounds are different and the physician has to keep documenting moods and changing medications till you find the one that works. i do know with the Intuniv it is a drug you can stop. Good Luck.

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28

Doc Kevin, have you ever known of Intuniv to cause aggression, rudeness, child to be disrespectful, severe mood changes. just thought I would ask, I know that its not really on the side effects list. thanks

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29

Have you ever thought that mixing all of those drugs might be her problem? I am 16 and I have had ADHD since I was in first grade. I have tried almost every pill out there. Ritalin really shouldn't be mixed with concerta. Also ritalin is a very bad drug my brother was on it for three weeks and lost 20 pounds and fainted when he stood up. For me, taking intuniv and concerta both together in the morning does the job.

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30

i am researching this med, because my son has oppositional defiant disorder, and intermittent explosive disorder, adhd, ptsd, and anxiety,ODD is often associated with adhd..and my son sounds very much like your daughter..odd is complex but may give you something to look into..

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31

My son doesn't seem irritable on Intuniv, just more sleepy. I have him down to 1mg despite the fact that he is 5'4" 115 pounds, and he says it still makes him feel a little sleepy. We stopped using stimulants (Concerta, Vyvanse) because it was causing him to have an irregular heartbeat. Not sure where to go from here. I was hoping to cut the 1mg's in half, but it looks like they don't recommend doing that.

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32

My 10 year old son was diagnosed with ADHD and he has been on almost every medication prescribed. We recently decided we were tired of the Crash & Burn effect from the stimulants, so we opted for Intuititiv and he is now on 3mg. We have noticed the rudeness with anyone, he also says he teachers hate him, he is getting straight F's, Detentions left & right. Sleeping ALL THE TIME, thirsty & still wetting the bed. We are stumped too....We went the homiopathic(?) way a while ago & it made him worse.

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33

I think you're right about the hormonal thing. My son is 11 Almost 12 and we just started him on intuniv about 4 weeks ago. He's on 2 mg. He was on focal in 10 mg but I think he's add not ADHD. he hasn't been Aggressive or angry on intuniv but just really quiet and withdrawn. We're always asking him if he's ok or need to talk but I think it's just his age. He's probAbly going through puberty at the same time as we're giving this medicine. I'll keep it on him fora little longer and see what happens.

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34

I give the intuniv at night. My dr told me it lasts through the next day. He's been on it for about four weeks 2 mg. school just started about a week ago so I can't really get a good observation yet. I don't want to do stimulants anymore. I would really like to take him off for good but I know his teachers will be calling soon asking if he's on any meds...

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35

How about therapy? No one mentions that can also help. Pills are not skills. Therapy with meds can help.

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36

You have just described my son's behavior, he is 7 yr old he has Tourettes, ADHD & sensory problems. He also says the same things. He is on Intuniv for the last 2 wks, which has made him very emotional like he has never been before. But has slow down the bad behavior.....

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37

Please tell me how your daughter made out with her problems. My son is also on intuniv and Zoloft and has the same symptoms. I don't know what to do.

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38

What ever happened??? We are in the same boat now :(

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39

My 7 year old was intuniv for about 6 weeks and the behavior changes we saw were shocking. He was so mean and would go into a complete rage over the smallest things. He has been off for two days and he is back to his happy but hyperactive self.

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40

Wow i am so sorry he had such a bad time w/ it but now i feel normal since my 7y/o got so bad that we had to put him in the hospital pdych ward bc the rage would not go away. It was horrendous for us all but we got him off intuniv/guanfacine/tenex and on luvod or something new like that so he immediately was happy off the g-facine. I am glad it works for most but wow do not feel alone if it makes your poor child worse!

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