Intuniv vs. Jornay PM
See how Intuniv and Jornay PM compare on approved uses, dosing, side effects, and cost.
Key Takeaways
Intuniv is a non-stimulant alpha-2A agonist while Jornay PM is a stimulant, so they carry different risks around abuse potential and cardiovascular monitoring.
Intuniv is FDA-approved for ADHD in children and teens ages 6 to 17, while Jornay PM is approved for ADHD in anyone 6 and older, including adults.
Jornay PM is taken in the evening so it is already working when a patient wakes up, while Intuniv is a once-daily tablet that must be tapered off slowly rather than stopped abruptly.
Intuniv vs. Jornay PM Drug Summary
Intuniv
Intuniv (guanfacine) is a non-stimulant alpha-2A adrenergic agonist approved for ADHD in children and adolescents ages 6 to 17, either alone or added to a stimulant. It comes as an extended-release tablet taken once a day, with the dose raised slowly over the first few weeks.
Jornay PM
Jornay PM (methylphenidate) is a CNS stimulant approved for ADHD in patients 6 and older, including adults. It is taken as one capsule each evening, and a delayed-release coating holds off the medication until the next morning so it is working when the patient wakes.
Intuniv vs. Jornay PM Side Effects
Intuniv
Jornay PM
Intuniv vs. Jornay PM Dosage
Intuniv
Jornay PM
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 mg once daily | Week 1 |
| Maximum dose | 4 mg once daily | Week 4 onward |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | Every week |
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 20 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 20 mg once daily | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
Intuniv
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 1 mg once daily | Week 1 |
| Maximum dose | 4 mg once daily | Week 4 onward |
| Dose changes | 3 increases | Every week |
Jornay PM
| STAGE | DOSE | WHEN |
| Starting dose | 20 mg once daily | At the start |
| Maximum dose | 20 mg once daily | Same as starting |
| Dose changes | None | Fixed dose |
Intuniv vs. Jornay PM Indications
Intuniv
Intuniv is approved to treat ADHD in children and adolescents ages 6 to 17, either as a standalone medication or added to a stimulant that isn't fully controlling symptoms. It is not approved for ADHD in adults, though doctors sometimes prescribe it off-label for that use.
ADHD monotherapy in children and teens 6-17
Add-on therapy to stimulants in children and teens 6-17
Off-label use in adults (not FDA-approved)
Jornay PM
Jornay PM is approved to treat ADHD in patients 6 years of age and older, making it one of the few stimulants approved across both pediatric and adult age groups. It is not approved for narcolepsy or for children younger than 6.
ADHD treatment in children 6 and older
ADHD treatment in adolescents and adults
Not approved for narcolepsy or children under 6
Intuniv vs. Jornay PM Pros and Cons
Intuniv
Intuniv offers a non-stimulant option with no abuse potential, which matters for families concerned about controlled substances or for combining with an existing stimulant. It requires a gradual taper on and off and commonly causes sedation, so timing and monitoring matter.
Pros
Not a controlled substance, no abuse potential
Can be combined with a stimulant for added effect
Roughly $290 to $370 per month without insurance, before savings programs
No boxed warning for cardiac risk or abuse
Cons
Only approved for ages 6-17, not adults
Must be tapered slowly to avoid rebound hypertension
Can cause sedation and low blood pressure
Takes weeks of titration to reach full dose
Jornay PM
Jornay PM is a stimulant with a boxed warning for abuse and misuse potential, and it isn't recommended for people with certain heart conditions. Its evening-dosing design lets it work from the moment a patient wakes up, which some families find convenient.
Pros
Approved for both children and adults
Evening dosing controls symptoms upon waking
No taper needed to stop the medication
Flexible dose range from 20 mg to 100 mg
Cons
Controlled substance with abuse and misuse risk
Not for use with certain heart conditions
Roughly $340 to $620 per month without insurance, before savings programs
Common insomnia and appetite suppression
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