PlainPill
MedicationFocus

Guanfacine Xr

People mainly take Guanfacine Xr for focus. Based on 3 first-hand reports and 1 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #2015 of 3,539 overall.

Compare with…Alternatives for focus
14
User score
Mixed
33% positive33% mixed0% negative33% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 50% are positive.

Clinical research
BModerate research base
1
meta-analyses
4
RCTs
13
papers

What Guanfacine Xr does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

Focus100% of 2
betterno changeworse

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

BModerate research base

At least one meta-analysis, or 5+ randomized controlled trials. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry · 2014 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Alpha-2 agonists for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in youth: a systematic review and meta-analysis of monotherapy and add-on trials to stimulant therapy

Conclusion: α-2 Agonist monotherapy and, possibly to a lesser extent, co-treatment, are significantly superior to placebo for overall, hyperactivity, and inattentive ADHD symptoms. Efficacy advantages need to be balanced against fatigue, somnolence/sedation, hypotension, bradycardia, and possibly QTc prolongation.

PubMed 24472251 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

higher than regularas reported
1 mgas reported

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

No side effects reported so far.

What users say

First-hand experiences, quoted verbatim. We show one positive and one negative where both exist.

“guanfacine XR (at higher than regular doses) have ever given me effects that I'd consider useful”
MixedRead the discussion ↗
Top discussions (3)

Other options for focus

Modafinil
Medication · 1,116 reports
45
84% report better focus
MixedAResearch: Strong
L-Theanine
Supplement · 2,343 reports
55
85% report better focus
Mostly positiveAResearch: Strong
Creatine
Supplement · 1,564 reports
53
92% report better focus
Mostly positiveAResearch: Strong
Phenylpiracetam
Supplement · 649 reports
56
90% report better focus
Mostly positiveDResearch: None
Amphetamine
Medication · 740 reports
48
82% report better focus
MixedAResearch: Strong
Nicotine
Substance · 467 reports
49
90% report better focus
MixedAResearch: Strong

User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 3, 2026. How we rate