Clonidine
Description
Clonidine is used alone or in combination with other medicines in the treatment of high blood pressure. It is also used for the management of cancer pain as well as in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Clonidine
- Mental depression
- Swelling of feet and lower legs
- Anxiety
- Dry mouth
- Shortness of breath
- Constipation
- Darkening of skin
- Decreased sexual ability
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea or Vomiting
Uses of Clonidine
What is it prescribed for?
- Hypertension
- ADHD
- Cancer pain
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time required by this medicine to show its action is subject to vary based on the route of administration and the intended use.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time until which this medicine remains active in the body is subject to vary based on the route of administration and the intended use.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects such as a very low blood pressure, fainting, dizziness, drowsiness, etc. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to clonidine.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Chronic renal failure
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of chronic renal failure due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects.
Drug withdrawal
Abrupt discontinuation of this medicine may cause rebound hypertension and side effects such as nervousness, agitation, headache, etc. A gradual dose reduction over 2 to 4 days is recommended to avoid these reactions.
Cerebrovascular disorders
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of cerebrovascular disorders due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Depression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of depression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Use in children
For treatment of high blood pressure, the safety and efficacy of this medicine have not been clinically established in children under the age of 12 years.
Hypotension
This medicine may cause a sudden drop in the blood pressure. This risk is especially higher in patients with a history of cardiovascular disorders or electrolyte disturbances. Vital signs should be closely monitored, especially during the first few days of therapy. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Drowsiness
This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, sedation, etc. in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Missed Dose
Tablet: The missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it is already time for your next scheduled dose.
Injection: Since this medicine is administered under the supervision of qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Transdermal patch: Remove the old patch and apply a new one as instructed by the doctor as soon as you remember. Replace the new patch on the next scheduled patch change day. Do not apply 2 patches to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Tablet/Transdermal Patch: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor immediately if you suspect an overdose of this medicine.
Injection: Since this medicine is administered under the supervision of qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects such as a very low blood pressure, fainting, dizziness, drowsiness, etc. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Atenolol
Clomipramine
Nortriptyline
Tizanidine
Alprazolam
Amoxapine
Disease interactions
Depression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of depression due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Replacement with a suitable alternative should be considered under your doctor's supervision.
Hypotension
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of hypotension due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Renal Dysfunction
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of severe renal impairment due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. For patients with mild to moderate renal impairment, appropriate dose adjustments may be required based on the tolerance.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Tablet: Take Clonidine with or without food. It should be taken at the same time every day. Do not take larger amounts than prescribed. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Transdermal Patch: Carefully follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately. You may need to place an adhesive cover if the patch begins to loosen from the skin. Do not remove the patch without consulting your doctor.
Injection: Carefully follow all the instructions given by your doctor and report any unusual symptoms to the doctor immediately.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Clonidine reduces the blood pressure by reducing the heart rate and relaxing the blood vessels. It also acts on the nervous system and reduces the overactivity in children with ADHD and pain in the cancer patients.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting
Schedule
Schedule H
Clonidine: DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
Clonidine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Clonidine Hydrochloride Extended Release tablet[Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
EMC [Internet]. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
Toxnet [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 30 August 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 19 Sep 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.