clonidine Health Article

Generic name(s):

clonidine

Brand name(s):

Catapres

What is the most important information I should know about clonidine?

Do not stop taking clonidine suddenly. This could cause severely high blood pressure, nervousness, and anxiety. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Clonidine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position, especially first thing in the morning. You may become dizzy while taking clonidine and you may fall and injure yourself if you get up quickly.

Do not use alcohol, antihistamines, prescription pain relievers, sleeping pills, and other drugs that may cause drowsiness or dizziness except under the supervision of your doctor.

What is clonidine?

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

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

Although not approved by the FDA for these purposes, clonidine has also been used to relieve alcohol withdrawal, as an aid in methadone and opiate detoxification, as an aid in quitting smoking, to treat diabetic diarrhea, to treat Tourette's Syndrome, to reduce menopausal flushing, to treat postherpetic neuralgia, to treat ulcerative colitis, and to diagnose pheochromocytoma.

Clonidine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take clonidine?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

• have any type of heart disease,

• have had a heart attack or a stroke,

• have liver disease, or
• have kidney disease.

You may need a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment with clonidine if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Clonidine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether clonidine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Clonidine passes into breast milk. It is not known whether clonidine will harm a nursing infant. Do not take clonidine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from clonidine therapy. You may require a lower dose.

How should I take clonidine?

Take clonidine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each tablet with a full glass of water.

Take clonidine at bedtime unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Clonidine may make you drowsy and may cause some dizziness. Taking it at bedtime may prevent falls and injuries.

Do not stop taking this medication suddenly even if you feel better. You may need to take clonidine for the rest of your life to control your condition.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a clonidine overdose include drowsiness, lethargy, weakness, lightheadedness, a slow heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and possibly seizures.