Switching from Clonidine Immediate-Release to Guanfacine Extended-Release

摘要

As a clinical pharmacy specialist in child and adolescent mental health, I am frequently asked how to switch patients from clonidine immediate-release (IR) to guanfacine extended-release (XR). This therapeutic switch may be required when poor adherence to a clonidine IR regimen (typically requiring 3–4 doses daily) is identified, when clonidine dose-optimization is limited by sedation, bradycardia or hypotension, or when coverage situations change. The latter may occur if, for example, new eligibility for a government program or a third party-payer occurs.