Tenex
(Guanfacine)
Treats ADHD and lowers blood pressure.
Our bottom line
Tenex (Guanfacine) can be used to treat both blood pressure and ADHD, but it's not recommended as a first-line treatment for either problem.
- Price before coupon$13.01
- Lowest price with coupon$6.3451% savings
- Drug class: Cardiovascular
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (guanfacine)
Upsides
- The same medication treats two different things, high blood pressure and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- It's not a "controlled medication".
- Used to control ADHD when stimulant medications haven't worked or can't be used due to other medical problems.
- Available as a generic medication, so it should be more affordable than other options.
Downsides
- Doesn't control ADHD as well as stimulants do, so it's used as a second-line medication.
- Not a preferred drug to control blood pressure.
- Can't be stopped suddenly, especially for blood pressure, since the blood pressure can dramatically increase.
Tenex (Guanfacine) is a centrally-acting alpha agonist medication. It lowers blood pressure by slowing down the heart rate and relaxing the blood vessels. It's not clear how Tenex (Guanfacine) works in ADHD, but it's used when stimulants haven't worked or can't be used in people.
- Drug class: Cardiovascular
- Rx status: Prescription only
- Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (guanfacine)
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Extended release
Prices and coupons
Skip prices section. Skip to what to expect section.
Pay as low as$5Retail priceRetail priceLearn more- Kroger PharmacyGet free coupon$6.34
- CostcoGet free coupon$10.25
- Medicine ShoppeGet free coupon$10.25
Side effect rates for Tenex (Guanfacine)
- Dry Mouth10%10%
- Somnolence10%10%8%8%
- Headache7%7%8%8%
- Fatigue5%5%2%2%
- Any side effect5%5%
- Asthenia3%3%
- Dizziness2%2%8%8%
The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of Tenex.
People taking Tenex felt side effect more
People taking Tenex felt side effect less
Risks and Warnings for Tenex (Guanfacine)
Skip risks section. Skip to common concerns section.- Higher risk if:
- › Taking other medications that cause sedation or sleepiness
People report having sleepiness or sedation while on Tenex (Guanfacine). You're at higher risk for this if you're taking other medications that have similar effects. Don't drive or do anything that requires concentration until you know how Tenex (Guanfacine) affects you.
Common concerns from people taking Tenex (Guanfacine)
Final section. Do you want to return to drug navigation?Research studies with animals haven’t found a risk to unborn babies, but it hasn’t been properly studied in humans.
Tip: Always talk with your doctor before you take any medication while pregnant.- Limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking this.
- People report having sleepiness or sedation while on Tenex (Guanfacine). You're at higher risk for this if you're taking other medications that have similar effects. Don't drive or do anything that requires concentration until you know how Tenex (Guanfacine) affects you.
- You can feel sleepy the first few times you take it, or when your dose is increased. Don't drive or do anything that requires concentration until you know how the medication affects your body.