Skip to content
English
  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

Guanfacine & Clonidine: Blood Pressure & Safety Monitoring

Important Information for Parents & Caregivers

Most children tolerate guanfacine and clonidine very well.
These medications have been used safely in children for many years. Side effects such as sleepiness or mild dizziness are usually temporary and improve as the body adjusts.

The information below is a simple safety guide so you know what to watch for and when to contact us — not something you need to worry about every day.

About These Medications

Guanfacine and clonidine belong to the same family of medications and work in similar ways. They have the same safety instructions.

Clonidine may cause more sleepiness or blood pressure lowering than guanfacine, so careful monitoring is important for both medications.

When to Check Blood Pressure

Please check your child’s blood pressure and pulse:

  • Once within 3–7 days after starting guanfacine
  • Once within 1–2 weeks after any dose increase
  • Any time symptoms occur (see below)

Blood pressure can be checked:

  • At home with a BP cuff
  • At a pharmacy or clinic kiosk

👉 Daily blood pressure checks are not required.

If You Are Buying a Blood Pressure Monitor

If you choose to check blood pressure at home, you do not need a special or expensive device.

What to buy:

  • An automatic (digital) upper-arm blood pressure monitor
  • Available at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Amazon,  or other pharmacies/retailers
  • Do not use wrist blood pressure monitors, as they are less accurate in children.

What matters most:

  • Correct cuff size is more important than the brand
  • Many children need a child-size or small adult cuff
  • The cuff should fit snugly around the upper arm without gaps. If you are unsure about cuff size, a pharmacist can help you choose the correct one.

How to Know What Is Normal for Your Child

Children have different normal blood pressure ranges based on age, height, and gender

We provide pediatric blood pressure charts (from UpToDate):

  • Click HERE to access chart for boys
  • Click HERE to access chart for girls

If you are unsure which column to use, look at the middle (50th percentile) column for your child’s age.

Call MindWeal (& Hold the Medication) If Any of the Following Happen

  • Blood Pressure is Below the 5th percentile

    • Your child’s top number (systolic blood pressure) is lower than the lowest value shown on the chart for their age and height

  • Drop of ~20 points from usual

    • Your child’s systolic blood pressure is about 20 mmHg lower than their usual reading, even if the number still looks “normal” on the chart

  • Symptoms with a low or lower-than-usual reading

    • Dizziness
    • Lightheadedness
    • Feeling faint
    • Extreme tiredness or weakness
    • Acting unusually “off” or unwell

  • Very Low Heart Rate 

    • Your child’s pulse is very slow, especially if paired with dizziness, fainting, or weakness

📌 Symptoms matter more than the exact BP number.

GO TO THE ER OR CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY IF:

Do not wait to contact MindWeal if your child has:

  • Fainting or loss of consciousness
  • Trouble staying awake or not responding
  • Severe weakness
  • Chest pain
  • Seizure
  • Very slow heart rate with symptoms
  • Any symptoms that feel sudden, severe, or frightening

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Missed Doses

  • Do NOT stop guanfacine suddenly. Stopping suddenly can cause dangerous blood pressure changes.
  • If your child misses more than 2–3 days, contact MindWeal before restarting

 

Reassurance

Most children tolerate guanfacine very well. This monitoring is a safety check, not something you need to do every day.

If you are ever unsure, it is always okay to call us.

ONE LINE SUMMARY: 

Check blood pressure once within 3–7 days after starting guanfacine and after dose increases. Use an automatic upper-arm monitor with the correct child or small adult cuff. Call MindWeal if blood pressure is below the lowest value on the chart for your child’s age and height, about 20 points lower than usual, or if your child feels dizzy, faint, or unusually tired. Go to the ER for fainting or severe symptoms.