My daughter has been on guanfacine for adhd for a couple years now and has gained a ton of weight. She has an appt on monday and I am going to ask to have her taken off this med because I do not feel like she needs it anymore and the weight gain is really bothering her. Will stopping this medication reverse the weight gain? I feel so bad that she is so young and struggling with this already.
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Guanfacine is not the first line treatment for ADHD.You have not mentioned her age, baseline weight and the duration of treatment, dose, or other first line options tried. There are various factors in pharmacological management of ADHD, considering the severity of illness, age, etc. Also, majority of weight gain induced by medications reverse, if due to some other hormonal issues, has to be explored as well. good luck.
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Weight gain is possible as an uncommon side effect of guanfacine especially with long acting guanfacine preparations. You should discuss with the clinician to taper off guanfacine and stop. Probably she would be able to shed all those extra pounds with some lifestyle modication which includes diet modification (50% of diet composed of fruits and salads, 25% protein rich foods and rest are fibre rich carbohydrates) and physical exercise. If the adhd symptoms re-emerge after stopping guanfacine, she can be started on a drug from stimulant class which are equally effective as guanfacine in tackling adhd symptoms and are known to cause weight loss.
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Most medication in psychiatry or neurology cause people to gain weight due to increased appetite. If you believe that stopping the medication will certainly reverse her weight gain, although the weight gain is due to increased appetite and the mechanism to lose weight should also be to decrease the weight due to loss of appetite, then it may very well work. I hope your doctor visit will be fruitful. Take care and have a lovely day!
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General information that may be helpful. Guanfacine is a medication commonly used to treat adhd symptoms, and weight gain can be a side effect for some individuals. If you're concerned about your daughter's weight gain and believe that she no longer needs the medication, it's important to discuss your concerns with her healthcare provider. When it comes to weight gain associated with medication, it's important to note that each person's response can vary. Discontinuing guanfacine may potentially lead to a decrease in appetite, which could help with weight management. However, it's also essential to consider that weight gain may have multiple factors involved, such as lifestyle, diet, and other individual differences. Your daughter's healthcare provider will be able to evaluate her specific situation and help determine the best course of action. They may consider alternative medications or suggest other strategies to manage her adhd symptoms if necessary. It's crucial to consult with a medical professional before making any changes to your daughter's medication regimen, as they can provide personalized advice based on her needs and health history.
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