Guanfacine extended release: a novel treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents.

Background: Guanfacine extended release (GXR) has reported efficacy for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as monotherapy and adjunctive therapy to psychostimulant medications.

Objective: The objective of this article was to review the efficacy, safety profile, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, and appropriate dosing of GXR in children and adolescents with ADHD.

Methods: Pertinent English-language literature was identified from searches of MEDLINE (1950-February 2012), BIOSIS (1969-February 2012), and EMBASE (1974-February 2012).

A review of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder complicated by symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder or conduct disorder.

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly prevalent disorder with significant functional impairment. ADHD is frequently complicated by oppositional symptoms, which are difficult to separate from comorbidity with oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and aggressive symptoms. This review addresses the impact of oppositional symptoms on ADHD, disease course, functional impairment, clinical management, and treatment response.