Does Intuniv (guanfacine) come in a regular release formulation?

Intuniv (Guanfacine) Formulations

No, Intuniv does not come in a regular release formulation. Intuniv is specifically the extended-release formulation of guanfacine. 1, 2

Available Formulations of Guanfacine

• Guanfacine Immediate Release (IR)

  • Available as a generic medication
  • Originally developed and FDA-approved as an antihypertensive medication
  • Not branded as "Intuniv" - this name is reserved exclusively for the extended-release formulation
  • Typically requires multiple daily doses

• Guanfacine Extended Release (Intuniv)

  • Specifically developed and FDA-approved for ADHD treatment
  • Once-daily dosing
  • Not substitutable on a mg-for-mg basis with immediate-release guanfacine due to different pharmacokinetics 2

Important Clinical Distinctions

The distinction between formulations is clinically significant for several reasons:

• Dosing Schedule:

  • Intuniv (extended-release): Once-daily dosing
  • Guanfacine IR: Multiple daily doses typically required

• Indications:

  • Intuniv is specifically FDA-approved for ADHD in children and adolescents aged 6-17 years 2, 3
  • Guanfacine IR is primarily approved for hypertension, though it has been used off-label for ADHD 4

• Pharmacokinetics:

  • The extended-release formulation (Intuniv) has different pharmacokinetic properties that allow for once-daily dosing 2
  • These differences mean the two formulations are not interchangeable on a mg-for-mg basis 2

Clinical Applications

In ADHD treatment guidelines, extended-release guanfacine (Intuniv) is specifically mentioned as a non-stimulant option with less abuse potential than stimulant medications 1. It may be particularly useful in:

• Adolescents with concerns about stimulant abuse or diversion 1
• Patients with ADHD and comorbid oppositional symptoms 5
• Cases where stimulants are contraindicated or ineffective 3

Practical Considerations

When prescribing, it's important to be specific about which formulation is intended, as confusion between immediate-release guanfacine and Intuniv could lead to dosing errors due to their different pharmacokinetic profiles and dosing requirements.