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Usually used to reduce high blood pressure, antihypertensives are often combined with stimulants for treating ADHD.
These medications appear to affect the body's production of norepinephrine, a brain chemical that helps control moods, although it is not known exactly how they work in the treatment of ADHD.
These medications are useful in treating children with ADHD, especially those who have tics (repetitive muscle movements), or significant problems controlling their aggression and impulses.
A combination of clonidine and methylphenidate (a stimulant, such as Concerta or Ritalin) has helped some children in dealing with difficult problems of behavior.
Guanfacine helps improving attention, impulse control, and irritability. It also seems to be at least as effective as clonidine in treating ADHD, and causes less drowsiness.
Aggressive and disruptive behavior are reduced when clonidine is used with a stimulant medication, studies have shown.
Antihypertensives show improvement in symptoms for some people with ADHD, especially those with symptoms of frustration, extreme hyperactivity, and aggressiveness. They are also used for children with ADHD and tic disorders.
A combination of guanfacine and psychostimulants may show a great improvement in symptomes for people suffering from ADHD.
Drowsiness and dizziness are the most common side effects of clonidine and guanfacine. However, the symptoms seem to disappear after a few weeks of treatment. No serious side effects have been associated with these medications and in blood pressure changes are minimal. Studies show that clonidine and guanfacine are safe.
Side effects of clonidine include depression and irregular heartbeat, although they are very rare, so it is not given to people who have heart or blood vessel diseases.
The medication clonidine must be taken every day. Stopping the treatment without consulting the doctor may cause the quick rise of blood pressure.