Clonidine is a drug to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Controlled blood pressure can reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack, or kidney problems. This medicine can be used alone or in combination with other medicines.
Clonidine affects nerve cells that regulate the work of the heart muscle and blood vessels. That way, blood vessels will be more relaxed, heart rate can be more controlled, and blood pressure can be lowered.
In addition to controlling blood pressure in hypertension, clonidine can sometimes be used to reduce symptoms of menopause, relieve pain, especially from cancer, and as a treatment for ADHD.
Clonidine trademark: Catapres, Clonidine, Clonidine HCL
What is Clonidine
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Antihypertensive |
| Benefit | Lowering blood pressure |
| Used by | Adults and children |
| Clonidine for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Clonidine may be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine before consulting your doctor. |
| Drug form | Tablets and injections |
Precautions Before Using Clonidine
Clonidine should not be used carelessly. Before using clonidine, you need to pay attention to the following things:
- Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to clonidine.
- Tell your doctor if you have or are currently suffering from arrhythmia, stroke, hypotension, kidney disease, pheochromocytoma, or heart disease, such as a heart attack or coronary heart disease.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements and herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- If you are having any surgical procedures, including dental surgery, tell your doctor that you are being treated with clonidine.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages while taking clonidine, as this can increase the risk of side effects.
- Do not drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness after using clonidine, as this medicine may cause dizziness and drowsiness.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to a medication, a serious side effect, or an overdose.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Clonidine
The dose and duration of use of clonidine will be determined by the doctor according to the patient's age and health condition. Here's a breakdown of common doses of clonidine:
Purpose: Treating hypertension
tablet form
- Mature: 50–100 mcg, 3 times daily. The dose may be increased every 2-3 days if needed. Maintenance dose 300–1200 mcg per day. The maximum dose is 2,400 mcg per day.
- Children >12 years old: 200 mcg, 2 times a day. The dose may be increased weekly, as needed. Maintenance dose 200–600 mcg, 2 times daily. Maximum dose 2,400 mcg per day
Purpose: Relieve menopausal symptoms or prevent migraines
tablet form
- Mature: 50 mcg, 2 times a day. The dose may be increased to 75 mcg, twice daily if symptoms do not improve after 2 weeks of treatment.
Clonidine can also be used to lower blood pressure in hypertensive crises and relieve cancer pain. To treat both conditions, the doctor will give you an injection of clonidine. The dose will be given by the doctor according to the patient's condition.
In addition, this drug is sometimes also used in the treatment of ADHD in children 6 years of age, although it is not a routine treatment. The usual dose for this condition is 100 mcg, once a day at bedtime. The dose may be increased by 100 mcg weekly. The maximum dose is 400 mcg per day.
How to Use Clonidine Correctly
Follow the doctor's advice and read the information on the medicine package for using clonidine. Clonidine in the form of an injection will be given by a doctor or medical officer according to the doctor's instructions.
Clonidine in tablet form can be taken before meals or with meals. Use clonidine at the same time every day for optimal results.
If you forget to use clonidine, it is advisable to do it immediately if the interval with the next scheduled use is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
The use of clonidine must be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle, such as avoiding drinking alcohol and smoking, exercising regularly, and limiting the consumption of high-salt and high-fat foods.
Do not stop using clonidine even if you feel better. Stopping the drug suddenly can result in withdrawal symptoms or severe rebound hypertension, namely blood pressure that rises again and can be dangerous.
Store clonidine in its package in a place at room temperature that is not humid, not hot, and away from direct sunlight. Keep medicine out of reach of children.
Clonidine Interactions with Other Drugs
Side effects that can arise from using clonidine with other drugs are:
- Increased risk of excess blood pressure lowering if used with other antihypertensive drugs, such as diuretics, beta blockers, calcium antagonists, or ACE inhibitors
- Increased risk of bradycardia when used with beta blockers and cardiac glycosides
- Increased risk of side effects from sedatives
- Decreased effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs and increased risk of orthostatic hypotension when used with tricyclic antidepressants or alpha-blocking drugs
- Decreased effectiveness of clonidine when used with NSAIDs
Side Effects and Dangers of Clonidine
Side effects that may occur after using clonidine include:
- Constipation (constipation)
- Headache or dizziness
- Drowsiness
- dry mouth (xerostomia)
- Fatigue or weakness
- Sleep disturbances (insomnia)
- Stomach pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Libido or decreased sexual arousal
Call your doctor if the above side effects don't get better or get worse. You should immediately go to the doctor or the nearest emergency room if you have an allergic reaction to the drug which can be characterized by the appearance of an itchy rash on the skin, swelling of the eyelids and lips, or difficulty breathing.
In addition, you also need to see a doctor immediately if serious side effects occur, such as irregular heartbeat, palpitations, fainting, severe headache, blurred vision, confusion, or anxiety that appears for no apparent reason.