What it's used for
Guanfacine tablets are used in the management of hypertension, either alone or in combination with other blood pressure-lowering agents.
Source: U.S. FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA).
Typical dosing
The recommended initial dose is 1 mg daily given at bedtime to minimize sleepiness, which may be increased to 2 mg after 3 to 4 weeks if needed.
Dosing shown here is the general FDA-labeled range. Your prescribing clinician determines the exact dose, form, and schedule for you — this is not a substitute for medical advice.
Common side effects
Common side effects include dry mouth, sedation, weakness, dizziness, constipation, and impotence, though most are mild and tend to fade with continued dosing.
Covered strengths on the Tab $0 list
Covered at $0 with an active Tab membership when filled at a participating pharmacy nationwide or through mail order. A licensed clinician must prescribe the medication.
Related medications
Other mental health & focus medications covered at $0 with an active Tab membership.
Guanfacine cost without insurance
Cash prices for Guanfacine without insurance vary widely by pharmacy, strength and quantity — the same prescription can cost very different amounts at two pharmacies in the same town. That is the problem a membership solves.
Guanfacine is on Tab's covered $0 generic list. With an active Tab membership, every covered strength is $0 — not a percentage off, not a coupon that changes month to month — at participating pharmacies nationwide or through mail order. You do not need insurance, and Tab works whether or not you have a health plan.
Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications require a prescription from a licensed clinician.
Guanfacine dosage and administration
The recommended initial dose of guanfacine tablets when given alone or in combination with another antihypertensive drug is 1 mg daily given at bedtime to minimize somnolence. If after 3 weeks to 4 weeks of therapy 1 mg does not give a satisfactory result, a dose of 2 mg may be given, although most of the effect of guanfacine tablets are seen at 1 mg (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). Higher daily doses have been used, but adverse reactions increase significantly with doses above 3 mg/day. The frequency of rebound hypertension is low, but it can occur. When rebound occurs, it does so after 2 days to 4 days, which is delayed compared with clonidine hydrochloride. This is consistent with the longer half-life of guanfacine.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Your prescribing clinician decides the exact dose, form and schedule for you — this is not medical advice.
Guanfacine side effects
Adverse reactions noted with guanfacine hydrochloride are similar to those of other drugs of the central α 2 -adrenoreceptor agonist class: dry mouth, sedation (somnolence), weakness (asthenia), dizziness, constipation, and impotence. While the reactions are common, most are mild and tend to disappear on continued dosing. Skin rash with exfoliation has been reported in a few cases; although clear cause and effect relationships to guanfacine tablets could not be established, should a rash occur, guanfacine tablets should be discontinued and the patient monitored appropriately.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. This is not a complete list. Report side effects to your clinician, and seek care for anything severe or unexpected.
Who should not take guanfacine
Guanfacine tablets are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to guanfacine hydrochloride.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Whether this medication is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescribing clinician.
Common questions
Is guanfacine covered at $0 with Tab?
Yes. Guanfacine is on Tab's covered $0 generic list — every covered strength is $0 with an active membership, at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
Do I need insurance to get guanfacine through Tab?
No. Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications are $0 with an active membership whether or not you have a health plan.
How do I get a guanfacine prescription with Tab?
Book a video visit with a licensed Tab clinician (unlimited visits are included with membership). If it's clinically appropriate, they send the prescription to your chosen participating pharmacy or by mail order.
How much does guanfacine cost without insurance?
Without insurance, retail cash prices for guanfacine vary by pharmacy, strength and quantity. Guanfacine is on Tab's covered $0 generic list, so every covered strength is $0 with an active Tab membership at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
What is the cheapest way to get guanfacine?
For medications on Tab's covered list, a Tab membership is the cheapest route: covered strengths of guanfacine are $0 with an active membership, and unlimited video visits with a licensed clinician are included, so the visit that produces the prescription is covered too.
What is the usual dose of guanfacine?
The recommended initial dose of guanfacine tablets when given alone or in combination with another antihypertensive drug is 1 mg daily given at bedtime to minimize somnolence. If after 3 weeks to 4 weeks of therapy 1 mg does not give a satisfactory result, a dose of 2 mg may be given, although most of the effect of guanfacine tablets are seen at 1 mg (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Your clinician sets your dose.)
What are the side effects of guanfacine?
Adverse reactions noted with guanfacine hydrochloride are similar to those of other drugs of the central α 2 -adrenoreceptor agonist class: dry mouth, sedation (somnolence), weakness (asthenia), dizziness, constipation, and impotence. While the reactions are common, most are mild and tend to disappear on continued dosing. Skin rash with exfoliation has been reported in a few cases; (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15.)
Guanfacine is $0 on the covered list
Members pay $0 for covered generics at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order — plus unlimited virtual primary care, urgent care and dermatology visits. No insurance needed.
Solo $49/mo · Family $119/mo for up to 4 people · Family+ $149/mo for up to 8
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