peregrine Posted April 8, 2013 Report Share Posted April 8, 2013 My psychiatrist today suggested I talk with my neurologist about guanfacine, a more selective alpha agonist than clonidine (an alpha-2A agonist instead of just an alpha agonist like clonidine). She says it might have fewer side effects, since it's more selective. I know that one person here has used it, but had to stop due to side effects. Does anyone here have thoughts or experience, or any insight? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peregrine Posted September 25, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 25, 2013 Welp, I've been on guanfacine for about 2 months now, so figured I should answer my own post in case it's helpful to others. It took a few weeks for me to ease off the clonidine - I got some rebound hypertension during the transition, so we briefly upped my guanfacine to compensate, then took it down again. Guanfacine has generally been good - my insurance doesn't cover it, but it's pretty cheap (about the same as the copay would be for a month's supply, about $8). I even did some statistics last night (since I keep records) - here are the results that were statistically significant! Guanfacine does seem to worsen my heat tolerance and nausea somewhat compared with clonidine, and I do report more other symptoms. On the other hand, I am less fatigued, and also have fewer issues of microsleeps (nodding off in the middle of the day while not trying to nap), both things that were worsened by clonidine. I also dream more - back to my pre-clonidine dream amount - which I hadn't even realized the clonidine had decreased!There are a few good papers out there about the comparison, which were helpful:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1430114/ - "Differences in psychic performance with guanfacine and clonidine in normotensive subjects"http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6994771 - "Central effects of guanfacine and clonidine during wakefulness and sleep in healthy subjects" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hanice Posted September 26, 2013 Report Share Posted September 26, 2013 I dont know. BUMP. I hope you get some answers soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corina Posted September 26, 2013 Report Share Posted September 26, 2013 Thanks a lot peregrine, for taking the time to let us all know. I'm glad that over all it seems to be helpful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.