Drug Design, Development and Therapy (May 2021)
Evaluating Guanfacine Hydrochloride in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Adult Patients: Design, Development and Place in Therapy
Abstract
Toyosaku Ota,1,2 Kazuhiko Yamamuro,1 Kosuke Okazaki,1 Toshifumi Kishimoto1 1Department of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan; 2Faculty of Nursing, School of Medicine, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, JapanCorrespondence: Toyosaku OtaDepartment of Psychiatry, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijyo-Cho, Kashihara, Nara, 634-8522, JapanTel +81-742-22-3051Fax +81-742-22-3854Email [email protected]: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterized by age-inappropriate and impairing levels of inattention, hyperactivity, or impulsivity, or a combination of these characteristics. It is estimated to affect around 4% of adults worldwide. In the past few decades, prescriptions for ADHD drugs (psychostimulants and non-psychostimulants) have increased significantly. However, the efficacy and safety of adult ADHD medications remains controversial. Guanfacine extended-release (GXR) is a non-psychostimulant ADHD drug that is a selective α 2A-adrenergic receptor agonist, first approved for treatment of adult ADHD in Japan in June 2019. Our aim was to provide an overview of GXR pharmacology and review the studies on efficacy and safety that have been conducted in adults with ADHD. The beneficial actions of guanfacine are thought to be attributed to the strengthening of prefrontal cortical network connections, which regulate attention, emotion, and behavior via the activity at post-synaptic α 2A receptors. Current evidence of GXR efficacy and safety suggests that GXR is an effective monotherapy treatment option for adults with ADHD.Keywords: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, pharmacotherapy, guanfacine, adults, nonstimulant
