Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Guanfacine(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Guanfacine
Intuniv · Guanfacine extended-release
Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist
FDA-approved indications
- ADHD — mono or adjunct to stimulants (children/adolescents 6–17 years; ER formulation)
Off-label uses
- PTSD
- Tic disorders
- Anxiety disorders (pediatric)
Half-life17 hours
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Guanfacine
Consider when
- ADHD with comorbid tics or Tourette syndrome — FDA-approved ADHD (ER, ages 6–17); improves both ADHD and tic symptoms
- Stimulant-induced insomnia or emotional lability — α2A agonism calms hyperarousal; useful adjunct to stimulants
- ADHD with comorbid oppositional behavior — evidence for reducing oppositional/conduct symptoms beyond ADHD core
- Hypertension comorbidity — antihypertensive mechanism provides dual benefit in ADHD patients with elevated BP
- +1 more
Consider an alternative when
- Hypotension or bradycardia risk — dose-dependent BP and HR reduction; syncope risk especially during titration
- Abrupt discontinuation likely — rebound hypertension with sudden cessation; must taper over 3–7 days
- Daytime sedation is problematic — somnolence 13–38% across doses; leading side effect; may impair school/work performance
- Maximum ADHD efficacy needed — effect sizes smaller than stimulants; typically adjunctive rather than monotherapy
- +1 more
| Axis | Guanfacine alpha-2-agonist |
|---|---|
| Boxed Warnings | |
Abuse / addiction liability | |
| CNS | |
Sedation / somnolence | |
Activation / insomnia | |
Fatigue / lethargy | |
| Metabolic | |
Weight gain | |
| Cardiac | |
Cardiac conduction / AV block | |
Blood pressure elevation | |
Heart rate / tachycardia | |
| GI | |
Nausea / GI (general) | |
| Discontinuation | |
Rebound hypertension (alpha2-agonist discontinuation) | |
| Interactions | |
CYP interactions / DDI profile | |
| Safety | |
Overdose toxicity | |