Is Guanfacine on the market?

Guanfacine is an oral α-2a agonist mainly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Its mechanism of action is by activating α2A adrenergic receptors in the brain, thereby reducing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. The drug has shown promising results in clinical use, particularly in improving attention and impulse control in children and adolescents.

Guanfacine was first described in 1974 and approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) in 1986 for medical use, initially primarily as an antihypertensive drug. With in-depth research on its mechanism of action, it was found that it has a significant effect in the treatment of ADHD, so the FDA subsequently approved its use as a monotherapy for the treatment of ADHD and to enhance the treatment of other drugs.

In the international market, the brand name of guanfacineIntuniv has received widespread attention since its launch. As a long-acting tablet, guanfacine only needs to be taken once a day, making it easier for patients to manage their medication. Additionally, Paxneury is the generic name for Intuniv, authorized in the EU since September 2015. The drug contains the same active ingredient as guanfacine but in a higher concentration. Paxneury received authorization for medical use in the European Union in February 2025, which means that its recognition and acceptance in the European market are gradually increasing.

In Japan, guanfacine was approved for marketing in May 2017 under the trade name of グアンフアシン, which marked its further expansion in the Asian market. Although guanfacine has obtained marketing authorization in many countries and regions, as of April 2025, the drug has not yet been officially launched on the Chinese market. This may be related to factors such as China's drug approval process, market demand and competitive environment.

Reference materials:https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/