Two medicines, side by side
Clonidine vs guanfacine
Clonidine and guanfacine are both labeled for high blood pressure and ADHD. Drugs@FDA records approvals of clonidine since 1974 and of guanfacine since 1986. Pharmacies paid $0.0241 per clonidine HCl 0.1 mg tablet and $0.147 per guanfacine 1 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Clonidine's other strengths are brand-only: $1.53 per mL (Javadin 0.02 mg/mL solution).
Check it at the source: the clonidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 30, 2026); the guanfacine FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 23, 2025).
Highlights of the clonidine record
Clonidine (Catapres) · label of March 30, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsClonidine hydrochloride tablets are indicated in the treatment of hypertension. Clonidine hydrochloride tablets may be employed alone or concomitantly with other antihypertensive agents.
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- September 3, 1974
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0241 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 16
Highlights of the guanfacine record
Guanfacine (Intuniv) · label of June 23, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsINTUNIV ® is indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy to stimulant medications [see Clinical Studies (14) ]. INTUNIV is a central alpha 2A -adrenergic receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy to stimulant medications ( 1 , 14 ).
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 27, 1986
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.147 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Clonidine label of March 30, 2026, Guanfacine label of June 23, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do clonidine and guanfacine differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class central alpha-2 adrenergic agonists.
Generics: clonidine since 1986; guanfacine since 1995 (Drugs@FDA).
| Clonidine | Guanfacine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, ADHD, Pain | ADHD, High blood pressure |
| Pharmacologic class | Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist | Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist |
| How it works (label) | n/a | Guanfacine is a central alpha 2A -adrenergic receptor agonist. Guanfacine is not a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. The mechanism of action of guanfacine in ADHD is not known. |
| Half-life (label) | Following intravenous administration, clonidine displays biphasic disposition with a distribution half-life of about 20 minutes and an elimination half-life ranging from 12 to 16 hours. | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | September 3, 1974 | October 27, 1986 |
| First generic approved | July 1, 1986 | October 17, 1995 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 43 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0241 per tablet (Clonidine HCl 0.1 mg tablet) | $0.147 per tablet (Guanfacine 1 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -3% | -5% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 16 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 57,116 | 7,825 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to clonidine
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions