Kapvay

Kapvay is a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Kapvay belongs to a group of drugs called centrally acting alpha-agonist. The way it works to treat ADHD is not well understood.

This medication comes in extended-release tablet and is usually taken twice a day, with or without food. 

Do not crush, chew, or break tablet before swallowing. Swallow tablets whole. 

Common side effects of Kapvay include dry mouth, constipation, and sedation. Kapvay can also cause dizziness or drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication will affect you. Alcohol may intensify this side effect.

Kapvay is a prescription medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) either taken alone or with a stimulant. 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

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Common side effects of Kapvay include:

• fatigue
• upper airway tract infection
• irritability
• sore throat
• insomnia
• nightmares
• emotional disorder
• constipation
• nasal congestion
• increased body temperature
• dry mouth
• ear pain

This is not a complete list of Kapvay side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Kapvay. See “Drug Precautions” section.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• alcohol
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• tricyclic antidepressants such as selegiline (Emsam, Eldepryl), amitriptyline (Elavil), or nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• calcium channel blockers such as verapamil (Calan), diltiazem (Cardizem), or amlodipine (Norvasc)
• beta blockers such as carvedilol (Coreg), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), and atenolol (Tenormin)
• medications that are used to treat high blood pressure

This is not a complete list of Kapvay drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Kapvay including:

• Kapvay can cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Kapvay affects you.
• To avoid withdrawal side effects (e.g. nervousness, headaches, tremors), do not suddenly stop taking Kapvay. Discuss with your doctor about slowly decreasing the dose before stopping use of this medication altogether.
• Kapvay may worsen pre-existing heart conduction abnormalities, especially if you are taking other drugs similar to the way Kapvay works.
• Low blood pressure/ slow heart rate/ fainting: Kapvay dose will be increased slowly and your doctor will monitor your heart rate and blood pressure before therapy, during therapy, and dose changes. Avoid becoming dehydrated or overheated.
• Do not use Kapvay with other medications containing clonidine.
• Do not take Kapvay if you have a known hypersensitivity (allergic reaction) to Kapvay or any of its ingredients. 

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Kapvay, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Kapvay.

Alcohol may intensify some of the side effects of this medication.

Before taking Kapvay, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• have a history of heart problems, including a history of heart attack
• have low or high blood pressure
• have a history of passing out (syncope)
• have had a stroke or have stroke symptoms
• have kidney problems
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take the following:

• anti-depression medicines
• heart or blood pressure medicine
• other medicines that contain clonidine
• a medicine that makes you sleepy (sedation)

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Kapvay falls into category C. No adequate studies have been done in pregnant women. Animal study results do not always equal that of human response. Kapvay should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. It is not known if Kapvay will harm your unborn baby.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

The active ingredient in Kapvay is excreted in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Kapvay, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of this medication. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

• Take Kapvay exactly as prescribed.
• Kapvay comes in an extended release tablet.
• Kapvay is usually taken twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening, with or without food.
• Take Kapvay tablets whole. Do not chew, crush or break KAPVAY tablets. Tell your doctor if you cannot swallow KAPVAY tablets whole. You may need a different medicine.
• Kapvay can be taken with or without food. 
• To avoid withdrawal side effects (e.g. nervousness, headaches, tremors), do not suddenly stop taking Kapvay. Discuss with your doctor about slowly decreasing the dose before stopping use of this medication altogether.
• If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take two doses of Kapvay at the same time.

Take Kapvay exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

To start therapy, 0.1 mg tablet is given once daily at bedtime. The daily dose will then be increased by 0.1 mg/day and be made at weekly intervals until the desired response is achieved. The typical dose range for Kapvay is 0.4 mg per day, divided into a morning and an evening dose. 

If you take too much Kapvay call your healthcare provider or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

If Kapvay is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.