Kapvay™ (
clonidine ER) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (
ADHD) in children and adolescents. Unlike many other ADHD treatments, this medication is not a stimulant and is not a
controlled substance. Kapvay is the first ADHD medication approved for use in combination with stimulants, although it can be used alone as well.
(Click Kapvay Uses for more information on what the medication is used for, including possible off-label uses.)
Who Makes This Medication?
Kapvay is made by Shionogi Pharma, Inc.
Kapvay is a long-acting form of
clonidine, a medication that has been used for decades to
treat high blood pressure. It belongs to a class of medications known as alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. At this time, it is unknown exactly how Kapvay works for treating ADHD.
In short-term studies (lasting up to nine weeks), this medication was shown to be superior to a placebo (a "sugar pill" that does not contain any active ingredients) for treating ADHD symptoms. Studies have also shown that adding Kapvay to a stimulant is more effective than adding a placebo to a stimulant.
It should be noted that long-term, placebo-controlled studies have not yet been performed with this medication.
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