Prodrugs of guanfacine with amino acids or short peptides, 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 minimizing or avoiding the adverse gastrointestinal side effects associated with guanfacine administration, as well as improving the pharmacokinetics of guanfacine are provided herein.