Guanfacine for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.

Abstract

Guanfacine is an α2A-adrenoreceptor agonist currently indicated for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This article reviews the chemistry, pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of guanfacine, as well as the clinical trial literature on guanfacine for the treatment of ADHD in children and adolescents, mainly focusing on the use of guanfacine extended-release (GXR). Six already published prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one unpublished RCT study were identified for GXR in the treatment of ADHD. All RCTs trials showed superiority over placebo on the primary outcome measure. Guanfacine, especially XR, seems to be an effective and safe treatment option for ADHD in children and adolescents.

• Authors: Renata Rizzo, Davide Martino
• Journal: Expert review of neurotherapeutics (Expert Rev Neurother) Vol. 15 Issue 4 Pg. 347-54 (Apr 2015) ISSN: 1744-8360 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25800130 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists
• Guanfacine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adrenergic alpha-2 Receptor Agonists (chemistry, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (drug therapy)
• Child
• Drug Evaluation
• Guanfacine (chemistry, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic use)
• Humans