Guanfacine can be used alongside educational, social and psychological methods to treat the symptoms of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
ADHD is associated with:
- severe inattention,
- hyperactivity, and
- impulsivity
These issues may interfere with an individual’s ability to function in school, at work, or in social settings.
Guanfacine may also be used for other conditions – check with your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had (or a family history of):
- heart rhythm abnormalities or slow heart rate
- high or low blood pressure
- liver or kidney problems
- fainting spells
- any other medical conditions
FOR WOMEN: Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Follow the directions on your medication label and take the medication as prescribed by your doctor. Guanfacine should be taken approximately the same time each day.
The extended-release (ER) tablet should be swallowed whole with a small amount of water, milk or other liquids. Do not crush or chew the tablets as this may increase the rate of Guanfacine release in the body. Do not substitute the brand of Guanfacine you are taking without informing your doctor.
Do not take this medication with a high fat meal as this may affect/ increase the absorption of the drug.
It may take 2 – 4 weeks to notice the full benefits of Guanfacine, although some symptoms may improve within the first week of starting Guanfacine. Therefore, it is important to continue taking this medication as directed, even if you do not notice immediate improvement to your symptoms.
Do not stop taking or adjust the dose of Guanfacine without talking to your doctor or pharmacist first.
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is more than half of the time to the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual timing.
Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed one.
If you miss 2 of more doses, or have problems remembering your doses, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
- Tiredness, drowsiness - Avoid driving, or engaging in activities requiring concentration
- Difficulty sleeping
- Avoid daytime naps
- Listen to relaxing music at bedtime - Nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite
- Take the medication with or after food
- Take small but frequent meals and avoid fatty or spicy food - Dizziness, feeling lightheaded - get up slowly from sitting or lying down position
- Headache; irritability; weakness; abdominal discomfort - speak with the doctor if any of these become bothersome
Most of the side effects listed above will improve with time as your body gets used to this medication. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if they persist, worsen or become too bothersome.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of the following:
- Allergic reaction:
- Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
- Difficulty in breathing
- Itchy skin rashes over your whole body - Severe dizziness or fainting spells
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Very slow, fast or irregular heartbeats
- Seizures (fits)
If you experience any other side effects that you think are caused by your medicine, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Store this medicine at room temperature, away from direct light, heat and moisture (not in the bathroom) and out of reach of children.
Throw away any medicine that has expired or is no longer needed.
Do not share this medicine with other people.
If you have questions/concerns about this medicine, please ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Pack this medication into a trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
