The medications listed on this website are provided for informational purposes only.
Their inclusion does not guarantee they will be prescribed to any individual, as treatment decisions are ultimately at the discretion of healthcare providers.
Stimulant prescriptions (such as Adderall or Vyvanse) are only available through ADHDAdvisor in the following states:
Guanfacine (Intuniv) does not have any box warnings.
Most common adverse reactions (≥5% and at least twice placeborate) in the monotherapy trials: somnolence, fatigue, nausea,lethargy, and hypotension. Most common adverse reactions(≥5% and at least twice placebo rate) in the adjunctive trial:somnolence, fatigue, insomnia, dizziness, and abdominal pain. Via - FDA
What is Guanfacine (Intuniv)?
Guanfacine is an Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other conditions. It was originally created to help reduce blood pressure issues since. It works in the cardiovascular system by relaxing blood vessels, but it was later discovered to affect the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which regulates behavior and executive functioning.
Guanfacine is used for ADHD under the brand name Intuniv. Intuniv is an extended-release version of the drug. It is FDA-approved for use in children and adolescents ages 6-17. It is not FDA-approved for adult use, though medical professionals do prescribe it as an off-label non-stimulant option for adults with ADHD. Guanfacine is not a stimulant drug and is not a controlled substance.
At ADHD Advisor, we provide comprehensive care for adults who are 18 years of age or older. Our team of professionals may prescribe guanfacine for adults with ADHD if it is deemed a necessary part of their treatment plan, ensuring that you are appropriately supported throughout your journey to manage ADHD.
Symptoms Treated by Guanfacine
Guanfacine can help treat the most common symptoms of ADHD that fall under the umbrella of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity. The medication may help decrease the following symptoms:
- Difficulty paying attention and staying focused
- Lack of follow-through on instructions
- Getting sidetracked from everyday tasks
- Losing important items
- Forgetfulness in daily activities
- Fidgeting or squirming while seated
- Restlessness
- Excessive talking and interrupting others
- Difficulty waiting for turns
Left untreated, the symptoms of ADHD can affect your daily life, including school, work, and personal relationships.
How Does Guanfacine Work?
Guanfacine works on both the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system. It is classified as an alpha-2A adrenergic receptor agonist. It stimulates the alpha-2 receptors in the brain found primarily in the prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is an area of the brain that controls impulses, memory, and attention.
By stimulating the alpha-2 receptors in this region, guanfacine can assist the neurotransmitters, mainly norepinephrine, that control these functions. By regulating norepinephrine, guanfacine decreases ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity and impulsivity and helps maintain regular sleep.
Guanfacine's mechanism of action is different from stimulants and SNRIs. Stimulants and SNRIs target the neurotransmitter norepinephrine directly, whereas Guanfacine targets the alpha-2 receptors, affecting norepinephrine indirectly.
Who Can Prescribe Guanfacine?
Guanfacine is a prescription-only medication, so you’ll need to speak with a prescriber to get your meds. The following professionals can usually prescribe guanfacine:
- Primary care physician (PCP)
- Psychiatrists
- Medical doctors (MDs)
- Doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs)
- Family physicians
- Neurologists
- Physician assistants (PAs), if properly credentialed
- Nurse practitioners (NPs), if properly credentialed
If you are already established with a medical professional, you may prefer to schedule an office visit to discuss your symptoms and get a prescription for guanfacine. However, you can also get a guanfacine prescription online through platforms like ADHDAdvisor, which partners with licensed clinicians to provide telehealth services to patients, including therapy and medication.
Who Can Take Guanfacine
Intuniv (guanfacine extended-release tablets) is FDA-approved to treat ADHD in children and adolescents ages 6 to 17. It is sometimes prescribed off-label to adults with ADHD. The immediate-release version, Tenex, is also prescribed as an off-label treatment for adults with ADHD. It can also sometimes be prescribed off-label for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), tics, anxiety, and sleep or impulsivity issues.
Contraindications
Some people with pre-existing conditions may not be well-suited to take guanfacine ADHD medication. The following groups of people could have negative interactions if taking this medication:
- Individuals with renal or liver disease
- Individuals with hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Individuals who are hypersensitive to any of the ingredients in guanfacine
- Individuals with heart block
It's important to note that ADHD Advisor only works with adults 18 years of age or older. Only a licensed healthcare provider can determine if this medication is appropriate for you.
If appropriate, doctors will monitor blood pressure and heart rate before starting guanfacine and throughout to ensure it's safe to continue taking this medication.
Dosages and Administration
No matter which medication you take, following the dosage information and guidelines your doctor provides is essential. The recommendation for guanfacine (Intuniv) is to start with a low dose and increase it gradually as needed until you reach the appropriate dose to manage your symptoms.
The FDA recommends starting guanfacine (Intuniv) at a dose of 1 mg per day and increasing it by 1 mg per week as needed for efficacy, up to a maximum dose of 4 mg per day. Your prescriber will start you off at the minimum dosage and monitor you carefully, adjusting the dosage based on your response to the medication. It's important to note that while these are common dosage limits, only a medical doctor can determine safe dosing levels for each individual.
Side Effects and Risks
Let’s go over some of the guanfacine side effects and possible risks.
Side Effects
As with any medication, there are some potential side effects to consider. Possible common side effects may include: (MedlinePlus: guanfacine)
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Irritability
- Fatigue
- Stomach pain, constipation, and nausea
- Headache
- Sweating
Serious side effects can include:
- Slow heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Fainting
- Rebounding hypertension
- Allergic reactions: hives, swollen mouth or lips, difficulty breathing
For more information about potential side effects, check with DailyMed: guanfacine.
It's important to be aware of potential side effects and discuss them with your healthcare provider. If you happen to experience any adverse side effects, you can report them to the FDA MedWatch's reporting program.
Risks
Certain groups of people should not take guanfacine (Intuniv) for ADHD. It's important to discuss with your doctor if you have low blood pressure, a heart block, kidney or liver conditions, or any other health issue to ensure there are no risks when taking this medication.
The most serious risks associated with guanfacine stem from its cardiovascular effects and potential to lower blood pressure, according to the AHA on guanfacine for blood pressure. There are some drug interactions to be aware of, so always let your doctor know what medications you are currently taking, including supplements and vitamins, before starting guanfacine.
It's important to note that guanfacine is not addictive, nor is it a controlled substance, according to the DEA controlled substance schedules. This reassures you that you can use this medication as part of your treatment plan without the potential risks of misuse.
Guanfacine vs. Other ADHD Medications
Let's go over how guanfacine compares with other ADHD medications.
Guanfacine vs Clonidine
Guanfacine and clonidine are both classified as alpha-2-adrenergic agonists. They have a similar mechanism of action and can be used to help reduce ADHD symptoms. The big difference when comparing guanfacine vs clonidine is that guanfacine is often less sedating than clonidine and has a longer half-life. Some studies have found that guanfacine was more effective at improving planning and working memory.
Guanfacine vs Stimulants
Guanfacine and stimulants work very differently on the brain to help reduce ADHD symptoms. Stimulants increase the levels of dopamine in the brain, which helps people focus and concentrate better. Guanfacine may be less effective for those symptoms than stimulants, but can be helpful for hyperactivity and sleep issues. Stimulants are often the first line of defense for ADHD; however, non-stimulant options are good for those for whom stimulants are not a good option or contraindicated.
Guanfacine vs Atomoxetine or Viloxazine
Guanfacine and atomoxetine (Straterra) or viloxazine (Qulbree) are all non-stimulant ADHD medication options, but with different mechanisms of action. Atomoxetine and viloxazine are selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). SNRIs work by increasing the levels of norepinephrine in the brain, which helps to improve attention and focus issues with ADHD. Guanfacine helps to improve attention, too, but through the alpha-2 receptors.
Both atomoxetine and viloxazine are often used as adjuncts with other drugs such as stimulants.
How to Get a Guanfacine (Intuniv) Prescription Online
With ADHD Advisor, you can potentially receive a guanfacine prescription for ADHD if healthcare professionals determine that it's necessary. We offer nationwide guanfacine prescriptions for adults 18 years of age or older.
ADHD Advisor can also help you with prescription fulfillment if necessary, and we can have the prescriptions sent to your pharmacy of choice. We also offer a superbill that you can give to your insurance company for potential reimbursement, depending on your plan. Now, let's take a look at how to get diagnosed with ADHD online with ADHD Advisor.
Is it Legal to Get Guanfacine (Intuniv) Online?
Yes, it is entirely legal to get a guanfacine (Intuniv) prescription online. However, you must attend an online consultation with a certified medical practitioner to receive a valid prescription for guanfacine (Intuniv). The practitioners at ADHDAdvisor can prescribe guanfacine (Intuniv) after meeting with you to review your online ADHD test results and discuss your symptoms.
ADHD Advisor Process
Learn how to get tested for ADHD online by using our simple step-by-step process.
- First, you’ll take our initial assessment to determine if you need a diagnosis appointment.
- Schedule your telehealth evaluation with a healthcare provider to go over your assessment and potential treatment plan.
- Receive your unique treatment plan, which can include therapy and ADHD medication online, both non-stimulant and stimulant medication if eligible, and in specific states where we prescribe stimulants.
- Guanfacine is available through ADHD Advisor nationwide for adults 18 and up if deemed necessary.
- Receive ongoing follow-up appointments to continue to monitor symptoms and blood pressure regulation.
What to Expect During Your Consultation
After you’ve completed your initial assessment, you’ll schedule a consultation with a licensed healthcare professional to review your results. Your medical pro will give you an overview of your screening results, after which you’ll have a detailed discussion of your symptoms and their impact on your daily life. This is your chance to be completely honest about how your ADHD symptoms affect your life so your clinician can devise the best treatment plan for you.
Next, your healthcare provider will discuss potential treatment options, including medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes, and write a prescription for guanfacine (Intuniv) or whichever medication they think will work best for you. Finally, they’ll explain how to manage your online prescription through ADHDAdvisor.
How Much Does Guanfacine (Intuniv) Cost?
Once you have a prescription for guanfacine, you can find it at most U.S. pharmacies nationwide. The cost varies. Without insurance, brand-name Intuniv can cost around $350, and a generic is often cheaper. Of course, the price depends on your dose, insurance, and the pharmacy that you choose.
It's important to note that ADHD Advisor does not bill insurance. We offer a superbill that you can send to your insurance company for potential reimbursement.
FAQs
Is guanfacine FDA-approved for ADHD?
Yes, the extended-release guanfacine (Intuniv) is FDA-approved for children and adolescents with ADHD aged 6 to 17. It can be prescribed for adults as an "off-label" nonstimulant option for ADHD.
Can ADHD Advisor prescribe guanfacine?
Yes, ADHD Advisor can prescribe guanfacine nationwide for adults 18 and older, if healthcare professionals determine that guanfacine is a necessary part of your treatment plan.
Is guanfacine addictive?
No, guanfacine is not a controlled substance, so it isn't addictive. However, if you are taking this medication, it's important to taper off if you stop taking it to reduce the risk of rebounding high blood pressure.
How does guanfacine compare to clonidine?
Guanfacine and clonidine are both alpha-2 agonists that have been clinically proven to treat ADHD symptoms. They can both be used as monotherapy or an adjunct treatment option. Guanfacine is similar in mechanism of action to clonidine but tends to be less sedating and longer-acting than clonidine.
What are common side effects?
While medications have many potential benefits, they may still cause side effects. Some significant side effects to be aware of with guanfacine include:
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Stomach issues
- Sweating
Can I get my guanfacine medication delivered?
Your guanfacine medication can be delivered if your chosen pharmacy offers that option. If you’re not sure, check the pharmacy’s website or call them and ask a pharmacist for more information.
Where can I pick up my guanfacine prescription?
You can pick up your guanfacine prescription from the pharmacy of your choice. Simply let your prescriber know where you want to pick it up, and they will send the prescription directly to that pharmacy.
