Prodrugs of guanfacine, pharmaceutical compositions containing such prodrugs and a method for providing therapeutic benefit in the treatment of ADHD/ODD (attention deficient hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiance disorder) with guanfacine prodrugs are provided herein. Additionally, methods for improving the pharmacokinetics of guanfacine or minimizing or avoiding the adverse gastrointestinal side effects associated with guanfacine administration are provided herein.