Guanfacine oral tablet interactions: A detailed guide

Key takeaways

• Guanfacine oral tablet is prescribed to treat high blood pressure and may interact with alcohol, other medications, and some supplements, specifically benzodiazepines and carbamazepine.
• Taking guanfacine with alcohol (if you drink) can cause increased drowsiness and dizziness. So you should consider discussing alcohol consumption with your doctor during treatment.
• Certain health conditions like coronary artery disease, recent heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and liver failure may increase the risk of interactions with guanfacine.

Overview

This article describes possible interactions with guanfacine oral tablets. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.

To find coupon options for guanfacine and to learn more about the drug, including its uses, see this article.

Guanfacine comes as tablets that you’ll swallow. It’s also available as extended-release tablets that you swallow. (Extended-release means the drug slowly releases into the body over time.)

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Other drugs and guanfacine

Drugs that may interact with guanfacine oral tablet are listed below. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with guanfacine.

Drugs that may interact with guanfacine oral tablet include:

• benzodiazepines:
  • drug examples: alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin)
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of guanfacine and the benzodiazepine
• certain antibiotic drugs:
  • drug examples: ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of guanfacine
• certain antiepileptic drugs:
  • drug examples: carbamazepine (Tegretol, others), phenytoin (Dilantin)
  • what might happen: can make guanfacine less effective
• certain antifungal drugs:
  • drug examples: ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura)
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of guanfacine
• certain drugs used for treating heart conditions:
  • drug examples: diltiazem (Cardizem CD), verapamil (Verelan)
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of guanfacine
• certain drugs used to treat HIV:
  • drug examples: cobicistat (Tybost), efavirenz
  • what might happen: depending on the drug, can increase the risk of side effects of guanfacine or can make guanfacine less effective
• certain drugs used to treat prostate cancer:
  • drug examples: apalutamide (Erleada), enzalutamide (Xtandi)
  • what might happen: can make guanfacine less effective
• tricyclic antidepressants:
  • drug examples: nortriptyline (Pamelor), amitriptyline
  • what might happen: can make guanfacine less effective
• ceritinib (Zykadia):
  • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of guanfacine

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Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with guanfacine oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe guanfacine in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.

Here’s a list of contraindications for guanfacine oral tablet:

• Past allergic reaction to guanfacine. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to guanfacine oral tablet in the past, taking guanfacine oral tablet may cause another allergic reaction.

Before starting treatment with guanfacine, tell your doctor if the above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take guanfacine.

Alcohol and guanfacine

Guanfacine oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.

Taking guanfacine oral tablet and drinking alcohol may cause:

• drowsiness
• dizziness

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with guanfacine oral tablets.

Other interactions and guanfacine

Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below, you can learn whether guanfacine oral tablet has these interactions.

The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with guanfacine.

Guanfacine and supplements

Before taking guanfacine oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid possible interactions.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Guanfacine interactions with herbs

Guanfacine oral tablet may interact with St. John’s wort. This herb is often used to relieve symptoms of depression.

Taking guanfacine and St. John’s wort may cause guanfacine to be less effective.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbs during treatment with guanfacine oral tablet.

Guanfacine interactions with vitamins

Guanfacine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during treatment with guanfacine oral tablet.

Guanfacine and food

Guanfacine may interact with grapefruit and grapefruit juice.

Taking guanfacine and consuming grapefruit can increase the risk of side effects from guanfacine.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid during treatment with guanfacine oral tablet.

Guanfacine and vaccines

Guanfacine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines during treatment with guanfacine oral tablet.

Guanfacine and lab tests

Guanfacine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests during treatment with guanfacine oral tablet.

Guanfacine and cannabis or CBD

Reports have shown that cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products may interact with guanfacine. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.

Taking guanfacine and using cannabis may lead to side effects, including excessive drowsiness.

Before you take guanfacine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level, but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Health factors and guanfacine

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with guanfacine oral tablet. Before taking guanfacine, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether guanfacine is right for you.

Here’s a list of health conditions or other factors that might interact with guanfacine oral tablet:

• coronary artery disease
• recent heart attack
• history of stroke
• chronic kidney disease
• long-term liver failure
• pregnancy or breastfeeding
• past allergic reaction to guanfacine

Preventing guanfacine interactions

You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with guanfacine oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.

Things to consider include:

• Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Other medications you take, as well as any vitamins, supplements, and herbs. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
• What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug during your guanfacine oral tablet treatment.

Taking guanfacine exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.

What to ask a doctor

If you have questions about guanfacine and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

• Can I still take guanfacine even if it interacts with another medication I take?
• Does my risk of interactions depend on my dosage of guanfacine?
• Should I let you know if I make lifestyle changes, such as to my diet or exercise routine?
• How do interactions of guanfacine compare with other high blood pressure medications?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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