Clonidine

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure, prevent migraine headache, treat menopausal flushing and painful menstruation (periods).
• It offers pain control in combination with narcotics when infused into the spine area.
• It has also been used to treat drug abuse and drug withdrawal syndromes (cocaine, narcotics, cigarette smoking).
• Rarely, it is used for the treatment of diabetes-associated diarrhea.

How does it work?

• Clonidine decreases the body's release of adrenaline and other hormones that increase blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety.
• Pain control works by preventing the pain signal's transmission to the brain.

How is it best taken?

• Follow diet plan (low salt) as recommended by healthcare provider if you are taking this medicine for high blood pressure.
• Do not suddenly stop using this medicine. Medicine should be slowly decreased. High blood pressure can worsen.

Tablet:

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach. Take last dose of the day at bedtime.
• Do not suddenly stop using this medicine. Medicine should be slowly decreased. High blood pressure can worsen.

Skin patch:

• Remove old patch first.
• Use on clean, dry skin. Move site with each new patch. Use on trunk of body. This includes chest, back, and belly.
• If patch loosens during the week, apply tape directly over it to hold it in place.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with healthcare provider.

Tablet:

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.

Skin patch:

• Apply the missed patch as soon as possible after removing the old one.
• If it is almost time for the next patch, place the new patch on immediately and keep it on for 7 days.
• Start new schedule from time patch is replaced.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Wear disease medical alert identification for high blood pressure.
• If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects. You could feel sleepy.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

What should I monitor?

• Check blood pressure and heart rate (pulse) regularly.
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Too tired or sleepy.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store tablets in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.
• Store skin patch at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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