We found the guanfacine/adderall combo a winner for my teen's ADHD. Guanfacine taken in the evening keeps it effective until after school - it's about a 17 hour half life for the extended release. Paired with adderall in the morning, we found it counteracts some of the jitters/twitchiness that adderall can cause making the two together work much better than either one alone. We tried Clonidine prior, but the side effects of Clonidine were bad for my kid. They'd stumble over finding the right word for things which caused something that looked a lot like a stutter. Guanfacine tends to work better in younger kids than it does for older so it's not a bad place to start.

We are wondering the same thing with a teen who doesn’t seem to be able to tolerate stimulants. I think we tried Intuitive many years ago and I don’t recall why we stopped. Does it cause weight gain?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you try a different school before medicating? Throwing out there in case helpful.

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ADHD is not only a school issue.

ADHD is not ONLY a school issue. But for many children that is the biggest issue. Our son is on 4 medications for ADHD and anxiety. He was on these for 9 months while in middle school and we had daily problems with peers, trouble falling asleep and horrible grades. He is now in a different school district with no med changes and he is thriving. No issues with peers and straight As. This has also helped his behavior at home. He is much more relaxed and has no sleeping issues.

To answer the OP, our son takes guanfacine and it did help. Changing schools also helped.

We tried both Guanfacine and clonidine for anxiety (and not yet diagnosed ADHD). Neither had an effect so we ended up on Prozac, eventually with Adderall. Our psychiatrist recommended them first because of fewer side effects than SSRIs. When the ADHD was diagnosed, she mentioned that they were a possible treatment but because he didn’t respond before, she would start with the stimulant.

I mention this because if they don’t work, in our experience you shouldn’t give up hope. Also, it’s a very individual thing, so just because one was better for someone else doesn’t mean it will be better than the other drug for your kid.

Anonymous wrote:Can you try a different school before medicating? Throwing out there in case helpful.

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ADHD is not only a school issue.

Is one more effective than the other?

We started my daughter on clonidine for anxiety when she was 6 (she also has ADHD but the clonidine didn't help her impulsivity). It did (and continues to do) wonders for her.

DC recently ended 3 years on guanfacine (we have been tapering off the last 9 months). Taken for emotional regulation and no issue, other than sleepiness that first weekend.

Anonymous wrote:Can you try a different school before medicating? Throwing out there in case helpful.

Not helpful. OP did not ask for this advice.