ABOUT COURSE
This course provides a detailed understanding of Guanfacine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents, and also for managing high blood pressure, by reducing hyperactivity, impulsiveness, and improving attention through its action on receptors in the brain.
The curriculum covers essential topics for prescribers including:
- Indications
- Dosage and Administration
- Mechanism of Action
- Pharmacokinetics
- Warnings
- Drug Interactions
- Contraindications
- Augmentation Strategies
- Recommended Lab Tests
- Therapeutic Levels
- Overdose Management
- Tapering/Withdrawal
- Use in Special Populations-
- Pregnancy,
- Lactation,
- Renal Impairment,
- Hepatic Impairment,
- Cardiac Impairment,
- Elderly,
- Children and Adolescents.
- Important pearls based on years of practice.
This course aims to enhance the clinical skills of psychiatric nurse practitioners and other prescribers by providing the knowledge to prescribe and manage Guanfacine therapy effectively and safely.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Brand Names & Generic:
- Learn about brand names under which Guanfacine is marketed.
- Learn about different generic names under which Guanfacine is available in the market.
Indications:
- Learn the FDA-approved uses and potential off-label applications of Guanfacine.
- Know the dosages of all potential off-label uses.
Dosage and Administration:
- Understand different medication forms and their administration.
- Implement appropriate dosage and administration guidelines for Guanfacine in various clinical scenarios.
- Learn how to dose Guanfacine correctly and identify usual dosage ranges.
Pharmacological Effects:
- Explore the mechanisms of Guanfacine.
- Understand how Guanfacine works in the brain to treat ADHD and other conditions.
- Discuss the impact of Guanfacine on neurotransmitter levels and brain chemistry.
Pharmacokinetics:
- Absorption: Understand how Guanfacine is absorbed in the body.
- Distribution: Learn about the distribution of Guanfacine in the body.
- Metabolism: Discuss the metabolism of Guanfacine.
- Elimination: Understand how Guanfacine is eliminated from the body.
- Half-life: Know the half-life of Guanfacine and its clinical significance.
Drug Interactions:
- Identify common drug interactions with Guanfacine and strategies for managing them.
- Understand the mechanisms through which these interactions occur.
- Know which medications should be avoided with Guanfacine due to drug interactions.
Common Side Effects:
- Learn about the most common side effects of Guanfacine.
- Understand potential life-threatening side effects and how to manage them.
- Educate patients on what to expect and how to manage side effects.
Contraindications:
- Learn the conditions under which Guanfacine should not be used.
- Understand the reasons why these conditions are contraindicated.
Best Augmenting Combos for Partial Response:
- Learn about the best augmenting combinations for patients with partial response to Guanfacine.
- Discover effective strategies for augmenting Guanfacine therapy.
- Evaluate the efficacy and safety of common augmentation strategies.
Recommended Lab Tests:
- Learn about recommended lab tests for safe and effective monitoring.
- Identify necessary lab tests to monitor patients on Guanfacine.
- Interpret lab results to guide treatment adjustments.
Therapeutic Monitoring:
- Apply strategies for therapeutic monitoring to optimize treatment outcomes.
- Know about the therapeutic blood levels for Guanfacine.
Overdose:
- Understand the signs and symptoms of Guanfacine overdose.
- Recognize early warning signs of overdose and effective management strategies.
Tapering/Withdrawal:
- Apply best practices for tapering and withdrawal of Guanfacine to minimize withdrawal symptoms.
- Follow the best protocols based on decades of clinical practice to safely taper Guanfacine.
- Educate patients on the process and expected symptoms of tapering.
Usage with Special Populations:
- Gain insights into the unique considerations for prescribing Guanfacine to special populations such as pregnancy, lactation, hepatic impairment, renal impairment, cardiac impairment, elderly, and children.
- Tailor Guanfacine dosage for special populations considering their unique needs.
- Understand the risks and benefits of Guanfacine use in these populations.
Important Pearls:
- Learn about essential clinical pearls to enhance practice and ensure patient safety.
- Understand the most important facts about Guanfacine based on decades of clinical practice.
- Apply practical tips and experiences from clinical practice to improve patient outcomes.
