Effect on Primary Sleep Disorders When Children With ADHD Are Administered Guanfacine Extended Release
11 Children's Specialized Hospital, Toms River, NJ, USA.
Journal of Attention Disorders
|November 8, 2014
Summary
Guanfacine extended-release (GXR) improved ADHD symptoms but reduced total sleep time in children. Sedation was a common side effect, suggesting caution with morning GXR administration.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often co-occurs with sleep problems in children.
- Guanfacine extended-release (GXR) is used to manage ADHD symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of GXR on sleep patterns in children with ADHD using polysomnography (PSG).
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study involving 29 children (aged 6-12 years) with ADHD.
- Participants underwent polysomnography (PSG) after a period of dose adjustment and stabilization with either GXR or placebo.
Main Results:
- GXR improved ADHD symptoms but significantly reduced total sleep time compared to placebo (p = .005).
- Increased time awake after sleep onset was the primary cause of reduced sleep.
- While REM, non-REM, and N3 sleep stages were reduced, this was proportional to overall sleep reduction.
- Sedation occurred in 73% of children on GXR versus 6% on placebo.
Conclusions:
- Morning administration of GXR in children with ADHD leads to decreased sleep duration.
- Sedation is a significant adverse effect associated with GXR treatment in this population.
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