Guanfacine use in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Abstract

The role of guanfacine in ADHD remains unclear. It may be reasonable to initiate a trial of guanfacine in a patient who has not responded to or cannot tolerate other agents due to adverse effects or drug dependence, or in a patient who develops motor tics. However, large placebo-controlled, double-blind, comparative trials involving guanfacine, stimulants, and/or TCAs are necessary to fully determine the role of guanfacine in the treatment of ADHD. Presently, behavioral modification is considered a first-line therapy and may be sufficient in mild cases of ADHD. Pharmacologic intervention or a combination of pharmacotherapy and behavioral modification should be tried in patients who cannot be adequately controlled with nonpharmacologic treatment. The stimulants still are considered first-line pharmacotherapy; however, guanfacine may have a role as a second- or third-line agent in patients who do not respond to or cannot tolerate stimulants or TCAs.

• Authors: L M Cohn, G C Caliendo
• Journal: The Annals of pharmacotherapy (Ann Pharmacother) 1997 Jul-Aug Vol. 31 Issue 7-8 Pg. 918-9 ISSN: 1060-0280 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9220058 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adrenergic Agents
• Adrenergic alpha-Agonists
• Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
• Methylphenidate
• Guanfacine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adrenergic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Adrenergic alpha-Agonists (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity (drug therapy)
• Child
• Clinical Trials as Topic
• Female
• Guanfacine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Methylphenidate (therapeutic use)