Guanfacine can be used to treat the symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), alongside the use of educational, social and psychological methods.
ADHD is associated with:
which may interfere with an individual’s ability to function in school, at work, or in social settings.
Guanfacine may be used for other conditions. Check with your healthcare professional if you are unsure why you are given this medication.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
Being dehydrated and overheated may increase your chance of having low blood pressure or fainting while taking Guanfacine.
Your doctor may need to check your blood pressure and heart rate before and during your treatment.
If you are giving Guanfacine to your child and your child’s weight changes, speak to your doctor as the dose may need to be adjusted.
If you have been taking Guanfacine in high doses and/or for a long time, do not stop taking this medication without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce the dose before stopping completely in order to reduce unwanted adverse effects such as headache, shakiness, nervousness, feeling agitated or confused.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Guanfacine, as it may make you more drowsy or less alert.
Avoid grapefruit juice/products while taking Guanfacine, as the amount of Guanfacine in the body may be increased.
The mentioned side effects generally affect up to 10% of patients.
Most of the side effects listed here will improve with time. Speak with your doctor if any of them continues, worsens or affects your daily life.
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
Rarely this medication may cause:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
Pack this medication into a trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
There are certain restrictions in the supply of Guanfacine, as it is not available in community/retail pharmacies and is only available in selected healthcare institutions via prescription from in-house doctors. Please check with your healthcare provider if they are able to supply it.
Disclaimers
Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Last updated on Mar 2023
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