Clonidine

💊 What is Clonidine used for?

• •The label says these tablets are used to treat hypertension, which means high blood pressure. They may be used alone or together with other blood pressure medicines.

How it works

The label describes clonidine as a centrally active alpha-adrenergic agonist. This means it acts on the central nervous system to help lower blood pressure. The label does not give more detail on how it works.

How it is usually taken

• •The label says the dose is adjusted based on each patient's blood pressure response, so people are usually started on a low dose and changed over time. The first dose is recommended to be taken at bedtime. Dose increases are made in small steps, usually at weekly intervals, if needed. Elderly patients may benefit from a lower starting dose. Follow the instructions from your prescriber or pharmacist. The label does not say whether the tablets should be taken with food.

Comes as

• •0.17 mg extended-release tablets (white, scored, splittable, capsule-shaped)
• •0.26 mg extended-release tablets

⚠️ Clonidine side effects

🛑 Who should not take Clonidine, and who should be careful

The label says not to take it if

• 🚨You have a known allergy (hypersensitivity) to clonidine. The label lists signs of this as rash and angioedema.

Tell your doctor before taking it if

• •Do not stop taking this medicine without talking to your healthcare provider. The label says sudden stopping can cause withdrawal symptoms and a rapid rise in blood pressure, and the dose should be reduced gradually over 2 to 4 days.
• •Tell your healthcare provider if you have severe coronary insufficiency, conduction disturbances (heart rhythm problems), a recent heart attack (myocardial infarction), cerebrovascular disease, or chronic kidney failure. The label says these patients should be monitored closely and the dose increased slowly.
• •The label says that patients with end stage kidney disease on dialysis, or with moderate to severe kidney impairment, may need dose adjustments.
• •Clonidine can cause sleepiness. The label advises caution with driving or operating machinery until you know how it affects you.
• •If you take a beta-blocker with clonidine, the label says the beta-blocker should usually be stopped several days before clonidine is gradually stopped.
• •The label says clonidine may be given up to 28 hours before surgery and restarted the next day, and that blood pressure should be carefully monitored during surgery.
• •The label notes that children who vomit often from stomach illnesses may be more prone to blood pressure spikes if they cannot take their medicine.

🔀 Clonidine with other medicines, food and alcohol

The label says to discuss these with your doctor or pharmacist

• •Alcohol: Clonidine may increase the sedating (CNS-depressing) effects of alcohol. The label also says high concentrations of alcohol may increase how fast the tablets release the medicine.
• •Other sedating drugs and barbiturates: These may add to the sleepy effects of clonidine.
• •Tricyclic antidepressants: These may reduce clonidine's blood-pressure-lowering effect, so the label says the clonidine dose may need to be increased.
• •Digitalis, calcium channel blockers, and beta-blockers: These can add to slowed heart rate (bradycardia) and heart block. The label says heart rate should be monitored.
• •Diltiazem or verapamil (calcium channel blockers): The label reports slow heart rate that required hospitalization and a pacemaker with clonidine plus these drugs.
• •The label states that no drug interaction studies have been done with the extended-release tablets. The interactions listed come from other oral forms of clonidine.

Alcohol and food

The label says alcohol may increase the sleepy (sedating) effect of clonidine. It also says high alcohol concentrations may increase how quickly the tablets release the medicine. The label does not give specific food instructions.

🤰 Clonidine in pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy

The label lists this medicine as Pregnancy Category C. Reproduction studies in animals showed some effects at certain doses, and no adequate, well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. The label says the drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Talk with your healthcare provider about your situation.

Breastfeeding

The label says clonidine is secreted in human milk. It does not give further guidance, so talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about breastfeeding.

🗓️ Storage, missed doses and taking too much

Storage

Store at 20 to 25 degrees C (68 to 77 degrees F). Short excursions to 15 to 30 degrees C (59 to 86 degrees F) are permitted. Keep in a tight, light-resistant container with a child-resistant closure.

If a dose is missed

The label does not say.

If too much is taken

The label says signs of overdose may include high blood pressure first, then low blood pressure, slow heart rate, slowed breathing, low body temperature, drowsiness, weakness, irritability, and small pupils. Large overdoses may cause heart rhythm problems, breathing stop, coma, and seizures. Signs usually start within 30 minutes to two hours. The label notes that children can show toxicity from very small amounts and that there is no specific antidote. Get emergency medical help right away if an overdose is suspected.

🗒️ Questions to ask about Clonidine

• How should I know when it is time to lower or stop my dose, and how will that be done gradually?
• What should I do if I miss a dose?
• Does my heart, kidney, or circulation condition mean I need extra monitoring?
• Which of my current medicines could interact with clonidine, including antidepressants, heart medicines, or sleep aids?
• How will this medicine affect my ability to drive or use machinery?
• What should I do if I need surgery while taking clonidine?

❓ Clonidine: frequently asked questions