Patient Education: Guanfacine

Guanfacine is prescribed by your healthcare provider based on current guidelines to address specific mental health conditions. While effective, all medications have potential side effects. It's crucial to be informed about these risks and benefits. It's also important to understand strategies to reduce their occurrence or manage them effectively. It's vital to know when to contact your healthcare provider or seek immediate medical attention. This guide aims to empower you with this knowledge, ensuring a well-informed approach to your child's treatment. If you are still unsure, always reach out to your healthcare provider for further guidance.

What is Guanfacine?

Guanfacine belongs to a group of medicines known as alpha-2A adrenergic receptor agonists. It works by stimulating these receptors in the brain, which helps the brain manage signals better. This makes it easier to concentrate and control impulses.

When is Guanfacine prescribed to Children & Adolescents? 

Your doctor may prescribe Guanfacine  for

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Tic disorder
• Tourette’s disorder 

What is the Dose of Guanfacine?

• The dose typically ranges from 1 to 4 mg per day
• Started at a low dose, gradually increasing to effectiveness.
• Taking it with a high-fat diet can lead to increased absorption and higher medication exposure.

Medication Guidelines: What You Need to Know

• Take your medication consistently every day as directed by your healthcare provider, rather than using it only when you feel you need it.
• Abruptly stopping this medication can lead to increased heart rate and blood pressure, which may feel like nervousness or anxiety. If the medication needs to be stopped, it should be tapered down under your provider's supervision.

What can be the possible

side-effects from the medication?

Your child may experience some side effects from the medication initially. Most of these side effects are mild and improve over time. The medication is started at a low dose to minimize these side effects. If side effects persist, consult your healthcare provider.

• Drowsiness, Dizziness, Fatigue: To minimize these side effects, Guanfacine is started at a low dose and increased slowly. To reduce daytime drowsiness, it's best to take your medication at bedtime.
• Dry Mouth, Constipation: Regular hydration can alleviate this symptom. Try to drink water frequently throughout the day.
• Headache: May happen initially but usually improves over time. Consult with your provider if persistent. Reducing the dosage or splitting it into two daily doses might help. 
• Stomachaches: Reducing the dosage or splitting it into two daily doses might help. As your body adjusts, your provider may gradually increase the dose back to the original level if needed.
• Decreased appetite: May happen initially but usually improves over time. Adding high healthy high calorie snacks to diet can be helpful.
• Sleep disturbances: If you find it difficult to sleep, try taking your medication in the morning.
• Reduced blood pressure & heart rate: Guanfacine may lower blood pressure and heart rate. Regular monitoring is needed. If your child has serious heart conditions, cardiology approval is required before use.

Serious but Rare Side-Effects

Cardiac side effects: Guanfacine can sometimes cause serious heart issues, such as an extremely low heart rate and blood pressure, irregular heartbeats and fainting, especially in ones with a history of heart problems or those taking blood pressure medicine. We carefully review your child's medical history and all their medications before prescribing Guanfacine. If your child has heart disease, an approval from a cardiologist is required to prescribe it.

To learn more about this medication please visit MedlinePlus, a official US government website, part of National Library of Medicine and managed by National Institute of Health by clicking HERE