Guanfacine

Guanfacine, sold under the brand name Tenex among others, is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and high blood pressure. It is a less preferred treatment for ADHD and for high blood pressure. It is taken by mouth. Guanfacine, sold under the brand name Tenex among others, is a medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and high blood pressure. It is a less preferred treatment for ADHD and for high blood pressure. It is taken by mouth. Common side effects include sleepiness, constipation, dry mouth, sexual problems, and headaches. Other side effect may include anxiety, low blood pressure, depression, and urinary problems. Use is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. It appears to work by activating the α2A receptors in the brain thereby decreasing sympathetic nervous system activity. Guanfacine was approved for medical use in the United States in 1986. It is available as a generic medication. A month supply in the United Kingdom costs the NHS about £60 as of 2019. In the United States the wholesale cost of this amount is about 7.11 USD. In 2016 it was the 156th most prescribed medication in the United States with more than 4 million prescriptions. Guanfacine is used alone or with stimulants to treat people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is also used to treat high blood pressure. Side effects of guanfacine are dose-dependent. Very common (>10% incidence) adverse effects include sleepiness, tiredness, headache, and stomach ache. Common (1-10% incidence) adverse effects include decreased appetite, depressed mood, anxiety, irritability, mood changes, insomnia, nightmares, dizziness, lack of energy, slowed heart beat, low blood pressure, feeling faint when standing quickly, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, urinary incontinence, and rashes.