Guanfacine ER

A nonstimulant drug, guanfacine ER helps treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. The medication comes in the form of an extended-release tablet that is taken once a day. It comes in four strengths and is available only by prescription. Possible side effects include fatigue, drowsiness, and headache.

What Is Guanfacine ER?

Guanfacine ER (Intuniv™) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)in children and adolescents. It can be used alone or in combination with long-acting oral stimulant medications to treat ADHD. Unlike many other ADHD treatments, this medication is not a stimulant and is not a controlled substance.
 
(Click What Is Guanfacine ER Used For? for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Are There Side Effects?

Just like any medicine, guanfacine ER may cause side effects.
 However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience problems. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can be treated easily by you or your child's healthcare provider. Serious reactions are less common.
 
Some of the most common side effects seen with guanfacine ER include but are not limited to:
 
  • Drowsiness
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain (stomach pain).
     
(Click Side Effects of Guanfacine ER to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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