Is Guanfacine available in the country and how to purchase it?

Guanfacine is a selective α2A adrenergic receptor agonist, originally developed by the American Shire Company under the trade name Intuniv. It was first approved for the treatment of hypertension, but later it was widely used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) due to its unique central nervous system modulation effect. As a non-stimulant drug, guanfacine can improve problems such as attention deficit, impulse control difficulties, and sleep disorders, and has become an important auxiliary medication option in the treatment of ADHD in adolescents and adults.

Currently, the original drug of guanfacine is mainly marketed in the United States, Japan, Canada and other countries. Common overseas specifications include 1 mg × 140 tablets and 3 mg × 140 tablets, which are sustained-release oral tablets. The Japanese version of guanfacine is widely used because of its stable dosage form and high compliance. Based on market conditions, the price is about RMB 3,000 per bottle. The price will vary due to exchange rate fluctuations and regional differences.

As of now, the original drug Guanfacine has not been officially launched in mainland China, so regular domestic pharmacies and hospitals cannot purchase it directly. There is currently no registration information in the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) database, and no generic drugs have been approved for marketing. For patients who need this medication, the main legal ways to obtain it include:

1. Purchase prescriptions through cross-border medical channels with registration qualifications;

2. When ordering overseas original drugs through regular international pharmacy platforms, you must have a doctor’s prescription and comply with the relevant regulations on imported drugs for personal use.

It is worth noting that there are currently no approved generic versions of guanfacine globally. This means that market supply mainly relies on the production of original research manufacturers, so the price of drug sources is higher and the supply cycle is longer. Some products sold through informal channels or on some websites may have risks of packaging differences or unknown sources. Patients should be sure to check the drug registration number, manufacturer information and packaging batch when purchasing.

Reference materials:https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB01018