Guanfacine for ADHD: The Most Underrated Med Nobody Talks About

Guanfacine is one of the most underrated medications for ADHD, yet many people only recognize it as a blood pressure medication. But its benefits go far beyond that. Guanfacine can help manage ADHD symptoms such as impulsivity, hyperactivity, emotional dysregulation, and difficulty controlling reactions. Unlike stimulant medications, it works differently by targeting alpha-2A adrenergic receptors in the brain, helping improve attention, self-regulation, and executive functioning. It is available in extended-release form and is sometimes prescribed alone or alongside stimulant medication. In this video, we explore how guanfacine works, who may benefit from it, its potential side effects, and why it deserves more attention in ADHD treatment. Understanding your options can help you have more informed conversations with your healthcare provider. Guanfacine (Intuniv, Tenex) is a non-stimulant ADHD medication most people only know as a blood pressure pill. A psychiatrist explains how it works, who it helps (especially alongside a stimulant), who it disappoints, Tenex vs Intuniv vs clonidine, and the one safety rule you can't skip. Guanfacine for ADHD: The Most Underrated Med Nobody Talks About The ADHD Med Most People Only Know as a Blood Pressure Pill The Most Underrated ADHD Medication (Guanfacine Explained) 🚨 🧠 For all things mental health from Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza 👉🏼 https://linktr.ee/sulmanazizmirzamd 🚨😴 Trouble sleeping? Introducing Stories for Sleep, read by Dr. Mirza (in his psychiatrist voice, not YouTube voice!) to help you fall asleep in no time! Subscribe today 👉🏼 https://www.youtube.com/@StoriesforSleep-q2v Your stimulant is doing its job. Focus is better and work gets done. But by 6 p.m. you're snapping at the people you love, and at 1 a.m. you're staring at the ceiling. In this video, triple board-certified psychiatrist Dr. Sulman Aziz Mirza breaks down guanfacine, the ADHD medication that works through a completely different system: • How it works: if stimulants turn the signal up, guanfacine turns the noise down • Why it's second-line, and why that's not the whole story • Who it's for: evening crashes on a stimulant, tics, high blood pressure, avoiding controlled substances • Who it disappoints: sleepiness, dizziness, and people expecting stimulant-level focus • Tenex vs Intuniv vs clonidine (Kapvay), and why the milligrams don't swap one for one • Starting it, and why you should never stop it suddenly 📺 Mentioned in this video: Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) Explained: https://youtu.be/yMxAC4zPi2U 📚 References INTUNIV (guanfacine extended-release) prescribing information: https://www.drugs.com/pro/intuniv.html Iwanami A et al. Guanfacine extended-release in adults with ADHD: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2020;81(3). Biederman J et al. Guanfacine extended release in children and adolescents with ADHD. Pediatrics. 2008;121(1):e73–e84. Sallee FR et al. Guanfacine extended release in children and adolescents with ADHD. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2009;48(2):155–165. Scahill L et al. A placebo-controlled study of guanfacine in children with tic disorders and ADHD. Am J Psychiatry. 2001;158(7):1067–1074. KAPVAY (clonidine extended-release) prescribing information. Chapters 0:00 Focus is better, evenings are worse 1:14 Guanfacine in one sentence 2:11 How it works (and why it's second-line) 3:42 Who guanfacine is for 5:53 Who it disappoints 7:06 Tenex vs Intuniv vs clonidine 8:37 Starting guanfacine: your first month Affiliate links Dubby Energy (10% off): https://www.dubby.gg/discount/THEKICKSSHRINK?ref=hqemdfbu Loka Chai ($15 off): https://www.weareloka.com/SULMAN64792 👉𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒚. 𝑨𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆, 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒃𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒐 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒇𝒚 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒊𝒇 𝑰 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒂 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒐. 💊𝐇𝐀𝐒𝐇𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐒: #guanfacine #adhd #adhdmedication #adhdtreatment #adhdawareness #adhdmanagement #adhdsymptoms #adhdbrain #adhdhelp #adhdmeds #executivefunction #emotionalregulation #impulsivity #hyperactivity #mentalhealth #adhdcommunity #nonstimulantmedication #adhdresearch #adhdeducation #adhdsupport DISCLAIMER: This video is purely informational and educational and does not constitute medical advice and/or recommendations. Use of information is at your own risk, and expresses my own personal views and opinions, not those of any of my employers. Sulman Aziz Mirza, MD will not assume any liability for any direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of the information contained in this video including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness, or death. In the event of any medical emergency or safety concerns, please go to your nearest emergency department and/or call 911. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline available 24/7: 800.273.8255 or 988 or suicidepreventionlifeline.org for online chat options