Psychopharmacology and Clinical Application of Guanfacine and Clonidine for ADHD – What’s the Difference?

Posted on:March 20, 2022
Last Updated: December 20, 2022
Time to read: 5 minutes

Psychostimulants are first-line treatments for ADHD. However, some patients may be resistant to treatment or may not tolerate stimulants.

One of the pharmacological treatments for ADHD is the use of guanfacine and clonidine, two α2-adrenoreceptor agonists that have been clinically shown to be effective in managing both the core symptoms and associated comorbidities of the disorder.

Guanfacine and clonidine can be valuable as monotherapy or augmentation agents in ADHD.

Both clonidine and guanfacine stimulate Alpha-2 adrenergic receptors pre and post-synaptically.

While both are effective in treating ADHD, there are notable differences between them in terms of both pharmacological properties and clinical applications.

In this article, we’ll explore what makes guanfacine and clonidine different, and how their respective uses in the treatment of ADHD can lead to better outcomes for those affected by the disorder.

References

4.2/5 - (20 votes)