Clonidine

Generic name: Clonidine (oral)
Drug class: Antiadrenergic agents , Antineoplastic Agents

Usage of Clonidine

Clonidine lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows your blood vessels to relax and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.

Clonidine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

The Kapvay brand is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Clonidine is sometimes given with other medications.

Clonidine is also available as a transdermal patch worn on the skin. Do not use two forms of this medicine at the same time.

Clonidine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to clonidine: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats;

a very slow heart rate; or

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out.

Common clonidine side effects may include:

drowsiness, dizziness;

feeling tired or irritable;

dry mouth;

constipation, loss of appetite; or

sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Clonidine

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to clonidine.

To make sure clonidine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

heart disease or severe coronary artery disease;

a heart rhythm disorder, slow heartbeats;

high or low blood pressure, or a history of fainting spells;

a heart attack or stroke;

pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);

kidney disease; or

if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a Catapres TTS transdermal skin patch.

It is not known if clonidine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of clonidine on the baby.

Clonidine may affect fertility in men or women. Pregnancy could be harder to achieve while either parent is using this medicine.

If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice somnolence, tiredness, rapid breathing, and poor feeding in the nursing baby.

Catapres is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old. Do not give Kapvay to a child younger than 6 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Clonidine

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Oral: -Initial dose: 0.1 mg orally 2 times a day (morning and bedtime) -Titration: Increments of 0.1 mg orally per day may be made at weekly intervals to desired response -Maintenance dose: 0.2 to 0.6 mg orally per day in divided doses -Maximum dose: 2.4 mg orally per day in divided doses Comments: -Taking the larger portion of the oral daily dose at bedtime may minimize transient adjustment effects of dry mouth and drowsiness Transdermal patches: -Initial dose: 0.1 mg/24 hr patch applied every 7 days -Maintenance dose: If, after 1 to 2 weeks the desired reduction in blood pressure is not achieved, increase the dosage by adding another 0.1 mg/24 hr patch or changing to a larger system -Maximum dose: Doses above two 0.3 mg/24 hr patches applied every 7 days is usually not associated with additional efficacy Comments: -The transdermal patch should be applied to a hairless area of intact skin on the upper outer arm or chest. -Each new patch should be applied on a different skin site from the previous location. -If the patch loosens during 7-day wearing, the adhesive cover should be applied directly over the system to ensure good adhesion. -There have been rare reports of the need for patch changes prior to 7 days to maintain blood pressure control. -When substituting patches for the oral formulation or for other antihypertensive drugs, physicians should be aware that the antihypertensive effect of the patches may not commence until 2 to 3 days after initial application; therefore, gradual reduction of prior drug dosage is advised. Some or all previous antihypertensive treatment may have to be continued, particularly in patients with more severe forms of hypertension. Use: For hypertension, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents

Usual Pediatric Dose for Attention Deficit Disorder:

Extended release: 6 years and older: -Initial dose: 0.1 mg orally at bedtime -Titration: Increase in 0.1 mg/day increments every 7 days until desired response; doses should be administered twice daily (either split equally or with the higher split dosage given at bedtime) -Maximum dose: 0.4 mg/day in 2 divided doses Comments: -May be taken with or without food. -If a dose is missed, that dose should be skipped and take the next dose as scheduled. -Tablets should be swallowed whole, and not crushed, chewed, or broken to avoid increasing the rate of drug release. -When discontinuing therapy, taper daily dose by no more than 0.1 mg every 3 to 7 days. Use: For the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy to stimulant medications.

Warnings

Before you take clonidine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or severe coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder, slow heartbeats, low blood pressure, a history of heart attack or stroke, kidney disease, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a Catapres TTS transdermal skin patch.

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

What other drugs will affect Clonidine

Using clonidine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

other heart or blood pressure medications;

an antidepressant; or

any other medicine that contains clonidine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with clonidine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Disclaimer

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