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. 2007 Dec 7;13(4):465–474. doi: 10.1111/j.1527-3458.2007.00026.x

Guanfacine and Guanfacine Extended Release: Treatment for ADHD and Related Disorders

David J Posey 1, Christopher J McDougle 1
PMCID: PMC6494159  PMID: 18078429

ABSTRACT

Guanfacine, an α2A adrenoceptor agonist, is U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)–approved for the treatment of hypertension in adolescents and adults. It also has been used "off‐label" for several years in children as a possible treatment for attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs). Small placebo‐controlled trials support the use of guanfacine for the treatment of ADHD. There is more limited research on the use of guanfacine in treating hyperactivity occurring in children diagnosed with PDD. Recently, guanfacine extended release (GXR), a once‐daily formulation has been manufactured and studied in phase III clinical trials. Based on preliminary scientific presentations, it also appears to be efficacious in improving ADHD in children. The most common adverse effects associated with guanfacine and GXR treatment is sedation. Adverse cardiovascular effects are uncommon, although modest reductions in blood pressure and heart rate are common. If GXR is FDA‐approved, it would be the first α2A adrenoceptor agonist marketed for ADHD.

Keywords: ADHD, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Guanfacine, Pervasive developmental disorder, Tourette's disorder

Full Text

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Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments This work was supported in part by a Department of Housing and Urban Development grant (B‐01‐SP‐IN‐0200; Dr. McDougle), a Research Unit on Pediatric Psychopharmacology—Psychosocial Intervention grant (U10 MH066766) from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Rockville, Md., to Indiana University (Drs. McDougle and Posey), a Young Investigator Award (Seaver Investigator) from the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (Dr. Posey), and a Career Development Award (K23 MH068627) from the NIMH (Dr. Posey). We also thank Ms. Jennifer McCarthy for assistance with manuscript preparation.

The authors received no financial support from the manufacturer of guanfacine.

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