Guanfacine
A non-stimulant ADHD medicine for children and teenagers. Not addictive. Can be used alone or added to a stimulant.
Brand names
- Intuniv (extended-release tablets, taken once a day)
How it works
Guanfacine acts on alpha-2A receptors in the front of the brain (the prefrontal cortex), strengthening the signals that control attention, planning and impulses. It doesn’t work like stimulants and takes 2 to 4 weeks to reach full effect.
Used for
- ADHD in children and teenagers aged 6 to 17, when stimulants aren’t suitable, aren’t tolerated or aren’t enough (TGA-approved)
- Sometimes used in adults with ADHD by specialists (off-label)
Side effects
How often, from the official product information. Bold = serious.
Very common more than 1 in 10
- Sleepiness
- Headache
- Tummy pain
- Tiredness
Common 1 in 10 to 1 in 100
- Low mood, anxiety or mood swings
- Trouble sleeping or nightmares
- Sedation, lethargy or dizziness
- Slow heart rate
- Low blood pressure, incl. on standing
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation
- Dry mouth
- Rash
- Bedwetting
- Irritability
- Less appetite, or weight gain
Uncommon 1 in 100 to 1 in 1,000
- Allergic reactions
- Agitation or seeing things that aren’t there
- Seizures
- Fainting
- Faster or irregular heartbeat, first-degree heart block
- Pale skin
- Asthma
- Indigestion
- Itch
- Passing urine more often
- Chest pain
- Weakness
- Raised blood pressure
Rare 1 in 1,000 to 1 in 10,000
- High blood pressure, incl. hypertensive encephalopathy (severe headache and confusion), mainly after stopping suddenly
- Oversleeping
- Feeling generally unwell
Get help urgently if
- Fainting or a very slow pulse
- Chest pain or a racing, irregular heartbeat
- Severe drowsiness, especially if other sedating medicines were taken
Good to know
- Don’t stop suddenly. Blood pressure can rebound. The dose is reduced slowly.
- Swallow whole. Don’t crush or chew.
- Avoid taking it with a high-fat meal, which raises how much is absorbed.
- Some medicines and grapefruit juice raise guanfacine levels. Check with your pharmacist.
- Blood pressure, pulse, height and weight are checked regularly.
Information only. Not a recommendation or endorsement of any product. Whether a medicine suits you depends on your health and other medicines, so talk to your doctor or pharmacist. In an emergency, call 000.
More information
maladywise.com/drugs/guanfacine/