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Guanfacine

This form:

Pronounced

"GWAN-fuh-seen"

Uses

This medication is used alone or with other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Guanfacine acts in the brain. It decreases certain nerve signals from the brain to the blood vessels and the heart. This causes the blood vessels to relax so that blood can flow more easily and also slows the heart rate. These effects help to lower blood pressure.

Other Uses

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug may also be used for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

How to Use This Medication

Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily at bedtime.

The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.

It may take several weeks before you get the full benefit of this medication. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.

Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped. Also, you may experience symptoms such as headache, nervousness, agitation, tremor, fast heartbeat, and high blood pressure. To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse (your blood pressure readings remain high or increase).