Yeah-- that one IS a different class, but it's still ultimately tied into that biogenic amine system. The other thing worth noting is that the use of both is almost entirely empirical at this point-- there's little reason why it SHOULD work from a mechanistic standpoint, just that it seems to be a "lever" which can be used in therapeutic interventions. The up-side, of course, is that such levers may be few and far between, making these drugs MIRACLES for some individuals... and the down side, naturally, is that you don't really know what you're getting as a package deal with them down the road.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha-2_adrenergic_receptor

This is also a relatively new use for that class-- the link is reasonably non-technical and accurate so far as I can tell. smile

More specifically--
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanfacine

I'm assuming that you have VERY close monitoring, but in the event that you don't-- I would really encourage you to be alert for some of the signs of the drug's other activity (most concerning are the hypotensive features).

Risperidone is better-understood from a mechanistic standpoint (at least kind of -- the receptor function/blockade has been well studied anyway, but that sheds little light on WHY it works)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risperidone

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atypical_antipsychotic

That one is a receptor blocker, so it doesn't impact signalling in the same was as many SSRI's and ADHD meds, which serve to increase post-synaptic neurotransmitter concentrations and duration of signalling. But it's the same dopaminergic system, at any rate. This is where all anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, AD(H)D and most stimulant drugs of abuse act. Just different facets of that system.




Schrödinger's cat walks into a bar. And doesn't.