Clonidine Vs Guanfacine | Which ADHD Medication Is Best?

Dr. Aly (psychiatrists) compares CLONIDINE and GUANFACINE, two commonly used non-stimulant ADHD medications ***Link to Dr. Aly's FREE "Antidepressants: A Beginner's Guide" ➡️ free.dralywood.com/antidepres...
⏰ TIMESTAMP ⏰
0:00 Intro
0:24 Brand Vs Generic Names
0:45 What Do Clonidine And Guanfacine Treat?
1:17 How Do Clonidine And Guanfacine Work?
2:27 How Are Clonidine And Guanfacine Prescribed?
3:35 Converting From Long-Acting To Short Acting Clonidine Or Guanfacine
4:31 How Long Until Clonidine And Guanfacine Work?
5:00 What Are The Side Effects Of Clonidine And Guanfacine?
6:08 How Do You Stop Taking Clonidine And Guanfacine?
6:57 What Is The Cost Of Clonidine And Guanfacine?
7:18 Clonidine Vs Guanfacine- Which Is Best?
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[@dralywood]

Who has tried one of these medications? What was your experience like? Let me know if you have any questions!

[@karenloader54]

My 9yr old son had an amazing experience with Intuniv, after bad experiences with stimulant’s, it was literally life changing for the first month or two, but it then stopped working. We increased the dose, had great results for the first month again and then stopped working. We have now been on 3mg for a couple of months and it’s happened again. So upsetting as this medication is by far the best medication he has used. Any recommendations on what to do next? Or could you recommend another medication alternative?

[@mohammedaljeshi]

Please answer me. Currently iam taking guanfacine 0.1 and Wellbutrin 450mg I started Wellbutrin 6 mons ago My advisor added guanfacine last week Iam worried about weight gain or metabolism affects. Because iam currently very happy with my physique and metabolism. Does guanfacine or clonidine affect metabolism or responsible for weight gain ? Please answer me 🙏

[@jpm029]

Clonidine made me soooo irritable and grumpy, yet when i switched to guanfacine for motor tics/ADHD i felt COMPLETLY OPPOSITE emotion wise almost like i was mellow instead of angry and irritable as i was with clonidine. A little tired/dizzy and dry mouth but A LOT better than clonidine, actually i read that guanfacine has potential anti deppresant effects which must be why i feel more mellow to this day since i have continued to take it but i can focus better and read paragraphs without being distracted nearly as much as i did without guanfacine, you can notice the "impulse" or "urge" is diminished when you take guanfacine so im at 2mg guanfacine ER daily so i got room for up to 4mg with ER guanfacine if i have any more urges or impulsive behaviors since iv'e been on prozac 100mg for OCD for 7 years which can lead to motor tics and a little impulsivity but together prozac and guanfacine ER work wonderful for me. Clonidine made me ready to join the army and fight on the front lines i was so angry and had a strong urge to do bad things like (litter/road rage/revenge for petty stuff/dreams of people being killed) to make me feel good which was a MAJOR WARNING SIGN after taking it for 10 days so guanfacine made me even smile when i was bored or chilling since im in such a mellow state of mind, even my worst enemies i barely get a reaction out of anymore lol

[@DioPiano]

How is everything after 1 month now my friend?

[@markregan7639]

It seems to be impossible to get to get any nonstimulant around here except Strattera

[@audrawells1383]

I just started guanfacine 2 weeks ago, and i started noticing a difference yesterday. I did also quit drinking 2 days before I started it, so that definitely has something to do with it. I didn't know it was used to treat impulsivity, irritability, and anger outbursts also, and I definitely needed help with that, so I'm excited to know it will help. I only recently came to accept that i have impulse control issues, and i was starting to figure out how to manage it, so I'm really really excited it will help.

[@jpm029]

@@audrawells1383 Im so glad I could help you. My motor tics stemmed from pinned up anxiety and suppressing my real emotions and feelings I had instead of venting about it which I should have done in the past. My anxiety began in 7th grade when I had a crush on my classmate and I was EXTREMELY NERVOUS about being honest with myself and accepting the fact that my emotions for her at the time where real. At that point I could not focus at all on my education since I was so paranoid and afraid of admitting to myself my real emotions and so I developed nervous tics from I guess not being honest and brave with myself but I was just so conflicted inside but Prozac helped me with that a lot and guanfacine augmentation really enhanced the effect

[@andrealurie6801]

I’m on Guanfacine. It’s been 2 weeks and struggling with the side effects. Headaches and fatigue are the worst ones. Depression and anxiety are worse since starting. Very strange.

[@hollybigelow5337]

Thanks for this helpful video. I am finding it funny that the average age of diagnosis for ADHD is 31, and yet the vast majority of videos I am watching to help me understand possible treatment almost all at some point talk about treatment for "my child," but this is still helpful information for the majority of us who were diagnosed in adulthood and are trying to understand our condition better.

[@hollybigelow5337]

Oh, also if it is helpful for anyone, although it does look like both of these medications successfully treat about the same number of people (roughly 1/3 of those with ADHD), it does look like there is very little overlap to those who are helped by each medication, so if one medication doesn't work for you it makes sense to try the other one.

[@jelliepops]

Wow, I was diagnosed at 31! How precise 😂

[@hollybigelow5337]

@@jelliepops Actually, so was I. It’s definitely interesting to see a comment from someone else who happened to also be diagnosed right on the average like that. Thanks for sharing 😊 It helps me feel a little more normal.

[@user-xv5gq7ne3e]

@@hollybigelow5337I was diagnosed a year ago at 36. I’ve tried 3 stimulants and they didn’t agree with me. Tried Intuniv now 7 weeks. 1,2,3,4mg. Going back down to 2mg purely because I can fall asleep just sitting down 😂 after 20 years of insomnia it’s been amusing for me! Never slept so deeply in my life. It’s like a weighted blanket on my nervous system. Can’t say it’s helped with focus at all. But my shoulders have dropped and I feel calmer, most of the time. Can’t tell about impulsivity. It has made executive function a bit harder some days. Like walking through treacle. I can see why people take these alongside stimulants. Good luck with your adhd journey!

[@BrandonBriese]

I thought the average age was 7

[@hellominneapolis]

Thank you for this very informative video.

[@shadowsbruther]

You are the best, seriously

[@mccannger]

Thank you for the video. Would you consider making a video on these medications as an adjunct, especially in adults. For example, would they help reduce blood pressure if used with a stimulant and by how much? Do they have much of an effect on improving ADHD symptoms over stimulants alone and if so, which? Thank you again. Loving your refreshing straight talking!

[@caseypayte5501]

Our 9yo son is taking two doses of Tenex along with Methylphenidate for adhd. He couldn’t handle the side effects of the stimulant until Dr added the nonstimulant. Things have been much better though we’re still adjusting the dosage. Thank you for your helpful videos!

[@saratogawinner934]

That has been my experience, exactly. Adderall has really helped my focus and follow through, but the anxiety (jitters, anxiety and sometimes just downright restlessness) can be problematic. Lowering the dose helps.. But I asked my psychiatrist to try Intuniv WITH Adderall and it has been absolutely life changing. I don't understand how more people don't know about this medication. I'm willing to guess it probably has to do with marketing. The drug companies make their profits on patent drugs, and these are both out of patent. Cheers!!

[@BLD426]

Clonodine is great for blood pressure spikes but counterproductive for adhd in my case.

[@jaassil]

I like you so much, Doc! Ty!

[@chrissherritt2470]

I take Rozerem and Belsomra for Insomnia. Recently, my practitioner added Clonidine. I take it at bedtime and I sleep even better with it in addition to the other medications. It also improves my borderline high blood pressure.

[@ambertornatore6362]

I’m prescribed both

[@ShuntelleHawk]

I usually do a qb test to see the main areas that are the problem. If impulsivity is the highest number I start with guanfacine first and give it a couple weeks. I have my patients take it at night. Most of my patients call it their sleeping pill because it slows the racing thoughts that keep them up. After a couple weeks review which symptoms are left over and choose a stimulant or non stimulant SNRI or NDRI or qelbree based off of patient symptoms.

[@jelliepops]

Are there any bad long term side effects of this medication that you have seen/heard of? I was prescribed but I am a bit scared and uneducated about this drug.

[@PerrinHarkins]

You said that 60-75% of the extended release forms are not absorbed, but then you said that we should lower the dose when going from immediate release to extended. Did you mean we should lower it when going the other direction, from extended to immediate?

[@lauraselig4904]

I was wondering this too

[@heartspacerelaxations6924]

Good info. Pls slow down a bit. Some people have trouble processing in it’s delivered on the quick side.

[@ERDoctorZ]

You can modify the "playback speed" of all videos you watch. Her rate of speech is faster than average, but it's easy to slow down by clicking the asterisk.

[@ianmacaig2696]

If I had hypotension from guanfacine 1mg, would trying clonidine be worth it?

[@brandongarland1841]

is weight gain a side efffect?

[@amirpakdin7563]

I have a adhd , clonidine makes me calm & sleepy & little confused

[@nenadcubric2663]

Clonidine works better for Anxiety?

[@Crystal_Libra]

Clonidine has been a lifesaver for me. Clonidine has help me sleep better than ambien. It has also helped me with my anxiety. For those who say that they are tired during the day after talking it, try half of your dose. You will gradually need an increase once you are comfortable with it.

[@tinalifestyle888]

did you also try guanfacine? how do they compare?

[@LoveLife-gv8jg]

My son is 2 weeks into guanfacine 3 mg taken at night. He cannot tolerate stimulants but his dr suggests adding a low level of stimulant to the guanfacine if we need a step up. Have you heard of this?

[@1SuckMeBeautiful1]

That would be because guanfacine attenuates some of the typical physical and psychological side effects of stimulant medications, such as nervousness, increased pulse and blood pressure etc. It means that with the guanfacine on board, stimulant medication may now be a very viable option for your son, infact it may be preferrabke to guanfacine alone because these 2 types of drugs would balance each other out, particular if he gets any lethargy on the guanfacine. Personally I find that vyvanse has much better side effect profile compared to ritalin, ritalin made me a bit socially tarded, whereas on vyvanse my personality feels its usual self except obviously with much better ability to focus and get tasks done and self regulate behaviour, and personally i find the combo of Intuniv (guanfacine XR) and Vyvanse (dextroamphetamine XR) perfect in effects and tolerability. I believe ritalin also has significantly higher side effects/pressure on the cardiovascular system, its chemically very similar cocaine, so more forceful on the heart in comparison to amphetamines.

[@Kingboo1081]

I’ve been on Clonidine 100mcg twice daily for approx 3 weeks, for anxiety, suspected adhd and insomnia. I haven’t noticed any reduction in anxiety at all, all it does is makes me sleepy (which is good at night, but not so good during the day). Does it need longer? I feel like it makes me feel a bit strange when I go out and I’ve taken it, my anxiety is still the same :(

[@tinalifestyle888]

how is it now? did you ever try to increase your dose but only take it before bed, once a day?

[@UntamedEscapism]

My son tried Methylphenidate, it caused way worse ADHD symptoms with extreme anger. We reluctantly tried Guanfacine to help with ODD foremost, then his ADHD impulsiveness/focus- he is of the 2% of the population that it causes gut distress.... 3 ER visits later, we removed the med. Would Clonidine possibly cause the same side effect?

[@bananas389]

Try vyvanse it breaks down in the intestines and it's very smooth.

[@rm25088]

Remember, if you are one any of these and want to get off it you have to gradually taper off. You risk a massive spike in blood pressure. Really dangerous. I am all set with that. I am sure it was mentioned but I don't have the patience to watch it all.

[@danielmurray9820]

Thanks for video. Just watched another video where Dr said it was not necessary to take guanfacine every day. That is worked best if you did. The idea of needing to let it build up would appear to contradict this. What are your thoughts on this ? Thanks again

[@dralywood]

That’s very interesting. Drop the link to the video if you have it! I’d love to see the POV this person is coming from. Most everything resource-wise says this medication needs to be taken consistently to build up in the system overtime. I guess in situations where someone is taking it as needed for insomnia or irritability, maybeeeee I can see where it isn’t necessary to take it everyday. However, this would be off-label prescribing. Dr. Aly

[@ksdbs6324]

⁠ is the Video is Dr John Kruse on guanfacine. It’s a great video. My family noted a very clear affect on my neurodiverse child next am after first night of one dose. Even his 3 yo brother noticed that his older bro was actually paying attention to him and singing songs with him.Thank God 🙏 Edited to say that it wasn’t that you don’t need to take it every day, but that he tends to use it once a day in the evening but admits there may be missing some therapeutic benefit by not doing twice a day. Definitely see a night dose dwindle by late next afternoon from my 6 month observation

[@ronnie-lynn]

I spent over $100 Canadian dollars today for 30 1mg slow release tabs of Guanfacine

[@biofan234]

where? can you get it delivered to america?

[@ronnie-lynn]

@@biofan234sorry I’m not sure what your asking. Got my dose upped to 2mg and now its 150$ for 30 days. She wanted me to go up to 3 mg but I just cannot afford it. 😢

[@1SuckMeBeautiful1]

Is there not a pharmiceutical benefits scheme in Canada?? i get the 4mg on pbs here in australia and its only like 20 dollars... Sorry you have to go through that :(

[@OneThousandBirds]

@@ronnie-lynninsurance?

[@lifebymel]

Clonidine can also come in liquid form ❤

[@lez9185]

I take clonidine and it makes me sleepy. I go straight to sleep. This lowers bp

[@jarrodhamilton5654]

Bi polar??

[@perlgerl]

​@@jarrodhamilton5654no, blood pressure

[@zdravkojovanovic3513]

how successful are they for severe insomnia?

[@zdravkojovanovic3513]

@@kaitlynclark9284 Well, yes, some meds are prescribed off label for insomnia (seroquel for instance), but what would you suggest for severe, chronc insomnia?

[@bobbybeattie4738]

​​@@zdravkojovanovic3513 may not be what you want but smoking is the only thing thats ever helped without severe side effects. Other then benzos weed and sometimes some red vein kratom helps alot. Im 34 and have delt with it my entire life. Its horrible

[@zdravkojovanovic3513]

@@kaitlynclark9284 what would you think of prescribing for severe insomnia? I’m on dayvigo now; it used to work wonderfully, not anymore

[@andrewrandolph8278]

@@zdravkojovanovic3513Clonidine and tizanidine are structurally very similar but tizanidine seems to be more sedating and has less antihypertensive effect than clonidine so I would try that first. The FDA max is also pretty high at 36mg. If not, Quviviq just came out and is like Dayvigo and may be worth a shot.

[@Kingboo1081]

It’s helped my severe insomnia

[@mtaylor935mt]

Where are any non-subjective tests that determine whether someone has ADHD? Can you do blood tests, hormone tests, spinal fluid tests, brain tissue biopsies, etc? Or is it all just based on behavior that is voted upon by the APA at their conventions?

[@adkaiwart5526]

ADHD = Criteria Based Diagnosis😅

[@richwilson5969]

What about sexual dysfunction? In either.

[@ubded9597]

Why they don’t give clonidine and Guanfacine together?

[@Nat-O]

Videö 😂