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Clinical and Pharmacologic Considerations for Guanfacine Use in Very Young Children

Benjamin T Black1, Sarah E Soden1, Gregory L Kearns1,2

  • 11 Division of Developmental & Behavioral Sciences, Children's Mercy Hospital , Kansas City, Missouri.

Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology
|February 20, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Immediate-release guanfacine is used for hyperactivity in young children. However, there

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pharmacology
  • Neuroscience
  • Clinical Therapeutics

Background:

  • Guanfacine, an alpha-2A adrenergic receptor agonist, is frequently prescribed for managing hyperactivity, impulsivity, and disruptive behaviors in children.
  • The immediate-release formulation of guanfacine is a common therapeutic option for these behavioral issues in pediatric populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the existing literature on the use of guanfacine in very young children (under 6 years of age).
  • To explore unique pharmacological factors influencing guanfacine's efficacy and safety in this specific age group.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted electronic literature searches in PubMed using keywords such as 'attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder,' 'guanfacine,' and 'alpha agonists' up to October 2015.
  • Performed an informal literature review and analyzed reference lists of relevant articles.
  • Focused on a qualitative review of literature pertaining to guanfacine use in very young children.

Main Results:

  • A significant lack of published studies specifically investigating guanfacine use in children under 6 years old was identified.
  • Specific pharmacological factors unique to very young children may influence the disposition and clinical effects of guanfacine.

Conclusions:

  • Guanfacine is a valuable medication for very young children exhibiting behavioral issues.
  • A substantial knowledge gap exists regarding the pharmacologic profile of guanfacine in this population.
  • Further research is essential to determine safe and effective dosing strategies for guanfacine in very young children.
Abstract

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