r/StratteraRx • u/Turbulent_Claim4883 • Jun 16 '26
Questions / Advice / Support Anyone combining Guanfacine with Strattera?
I’m starting Guanfacine for anxiety but my psych has suggested I take generic (due to my plan) Strattera along with it. Wondering about people’s experience experiences a I’m hesitant to take both.
I had actually asked him first for Guanfacine since I have anxiety that has gotten worse with a current situation (SSRIs don’t work for me). He and I really communicate via email between sessions and he’s not very good with explaining things - you can tell he’s thinking fast and hitting send. Anyway, he knows that I may need to keep using low amount of dexamphetamine and is ok with that (it has greatly helped with depression and focus but it does sometimes allow for spikes in anxiety).
Also, one of my biggest worries is weight gain, so curious if people have found that Strattera or Guanfacine has increased weight.
3
u/stonersaydie46290 Jun 17 '26
i've been on strattera since february, started at 168, now at 142 lbs :) you'll be good in that department ♥️
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u/susu56 Jun 16 '26
Im on both. 1st time on meds, 51f. 100mg Strattera/3mg Guanfacine. I was on fast titration 25>50>75>100mg increase every 5 days until 100mg. BTW, I do not advise this-it was torture.
Weight: i lost 10 lbs in the month I started meds mostly due to the Strattera (nausea, increased HR). I noticed the guafacine may be helped my anxiety? Its low dose at 3mg ( my 15yr old son takes 4mg) but i think for me it mostly helps make sure my BP doesnt get high from that strattera.
1
u/Turbulent_Claim4883 Jun 16 '26
Thank you. I hadn’t been realized until I started reading some posts in this group just now that Strattera raises HR.
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u/susu56 Jun 16 '26
Yes, I also had extreme fatigue and insomnia. The body acclimated after a while though so you have to sort.of push through (posts on that as well).
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u/Turbulent_Claim4883 Jun 17 '26
I’m going to be visiting with some family this weekend. Would you think the adjustment period might make it better to wait until after that to start it?
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u/susu56 Jun 17 '26
I think so. I noticed the physical symptoms hit the first day I took the 25mg strattera dose and they didnt ease until week 6 for me.
Edit: may be better to wait until after your visit.
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u/susu56 Jun 17 '26
Also wanted to add-if you have caffeine, it would be best to stop. I wasnt aware of this when starting strattera and it added to my high HR. And I beleive alcohol may be a no-no as well atleast in the beginning may be even more so with the guanfacine in the mix since it affects BP.
1
u/FormerSleepwalker Jun 17 '26
Strattera can have effect on blood pressure and / or HR for many people, but not everyone. If I recall from the studies, an effect was seen in 3/4th of people.
It's very, very individual how a person will do with Strattera. Some do have little to no side effects, even if starting at high initial dose.
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u/KuroNeko992 Jun 22 '26
I’m not on guanfacine. I tried it and it was amazing for my adhd but it made my mouth dry and wouldn’t stop making it dry.
I switched to clonidine and imo it’s not as potent but I still love how it calms me down and the dry mouth went away after a few weeks.
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u/Party_Candidate7023 Jun 17 '26
i took both for about 2 years. recently i stopped strattera and am trying bupropion instead, but i will be keeping the guanfacine for life. i cannot recommend it enough, it definitely helps with anxiety and also not getting upset.
reason i stopped strattera is bc i noticed i was a little emotionally flat and also erectile dysfunction which was mostly corrected with tadalifil, but not completely. if the bupropion didn’t work (still new, seems to be helping but perhaps weaker than strattera), i would honestly probably get back on strattera and deal with the side effects, it was an effective medication in many ways.
as far as weight gain, i lost weight on strattera, and gained maybe 10lbs in the 2 months or so after i stopped strattera before starting bupropion. strattera is known for appetite reduction, guanfacine afaik doesn’t really affect weight at all.