ADHD - guanfacine

[Toocrazy!!]

DS 19 is still trying to find an effective ADHD med. He was referred to a FNP specializing in mental health and was prescribed guanfacine. He had unsuccessful attempts with vyvanse and adderall with his primary care dr and now appears to be trying a completely different approach.

Has anyone had success with this? It sounds like an uncommon choice. This all seems like a shot in the dark trying to find the right med. 

[prairiewindmomma]

We tried it with a kid before we moved on to a different medicine which was a better fit.  It's more commonly known by its brand name, Intuniv.  It's a non-stimulant medication, which is why our kids' care teams usually want to try it first before moving on to the stimulants.  If he failed with two stimulant meds, I think trying a non-stimulant is a reasonable choice since it's in a different class.  Bodies can be weird. 

Adderall is amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.

Vyvanse is lisdexamfetamine, which the body metabolizes into dextroamphetamine. 

Odds are if a non-stimulant doesn't work the next med to try will be somewhere in the methylphenidate family (concerta/ritalin/daytrana/metadate) or dexmethylphenidate (focalin) family.

 

Edited April 20, 2022 by prairiewindmomma

[ScoutTN]

My son was on the extended release version when he was younger and it definitely helped at the time. Helped him be still, sit and focus.

[itsheresomewhere]

My DD is on the extended release version.  We have been very happy with it.