CLONIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE vs GUANFACINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 20, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. CLONIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE and GUANFACINE HYDROCHLORIDE are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	CLONIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE	GUANFACINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Rating	72/100	72/100
Pharmacy pays	~$1.05 /30	~$5.26 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	CLONIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE	GUANFACINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Actavis Elizabeth	Actavis Elizabeth
Dosage forms	Injectable, Tablet, Tablet, extended release	Tablet
Drug class	Central Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist	Central Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	about 12 to 16 hours	—
Treats	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Diarrhea, Dysmenorrhea	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Hypertension

clonidine hydrochloride guanfacine hydrochloride

Rating

72/100

Pharmacy pays

~$1.05 /30

~$5.26 /30

Type

Active ingredient

CLONIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE

GUANFACINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Actavis Elizabeth

Dosage forms

Injectable, Tablet, Tablet, extended release

Tablet

Drug class

Central Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

about 12 to 16 hours

—

Treats

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Diarrhea, Dysmenorrhea

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Hypertension

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Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Clonidine Hydrochloride or Guanfacine Hydrochloride?

Clonidine Hydrochloride and Guanfacine Hydrochloride are tied at 3.6 out of 5 by our independent rating.

Which is cheaper, Clonidine Hydrochloride or Guanfacine Hydrochloride?

Clonidine Hydrochloride costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $1.05 vs $5.26 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Clonidine Hydrochloride and Guanfacine Hydrochloride?

Clonidine Hydrochloride contains Clonidine Hydrochloride, while Guanfacine Hydrochloride contains Guanfacine Hydrochloride — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.