Indications
- This medication is used either alone or in combination with other drugs to address high blood pressure (hypertension).
- Lowering high blood pressure is crucial for preventing strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.
- Clonidine belongs to the class of drugs known as central alpha agonists, acting in the brain to reduce blood pressure.
- Its mechanism involves relaxing blood vessels, facilitating smoother blood flow.
Dosage and administration
- Take this medication orally, with or without food, as instructed by your doctor, usually twice daily (morning and bedtime).
- If doses are unequal, take the larger dose at bedtime to reduce the risk of side effects.
- Dosage is determined by your medical condition and response to treatment.
- Use the medication regularly at the same times each day for maximum benefit. Continue even if you feel well, as high blood pressure may not cause noticeable symptoms.
- Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor to avoid symptoms like nervousness, agitation, shaking, headache, or a rapid rise in blood pressure. This risk increases with long-term or high-dose use, especially when combined with a beta-blocker (e.g., atenolol). Rare severe reactions (e.g., stroke) may occur from abrupt cessation. Ensure you do not run out of clonidine and report any inability to take the medication promptly.
- If discontinuing, your doctor may gradually reduce your dose to prevent reactions. Report new or worsening symptoms immediately.
- Prolonged use may necessitate dosage adjustments or additional medications if effectiveness diminishes. Consult your doctor if the medication appears to be less effective.
Side effects
- Possible side effects of this medication include dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, dry mouth, or constipation. Report promptly to your doctor or pharmacist if any of these effects persist or worsen.
- To minimize the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, rise slowly from a sitting or lying position.
- To alleviate dry mouth, consider sucking on sugarless hard candy or ice chips, chewing sugarless gum, drinking water, or using a saliva substitute.
- The prescribed medication is deemed beneficial by your doctor, with the advantages outweighing potential risks for most users.
- Report serious side effects to your doctor immediately, including fainting, slow/irregular heartbeat, or mental/mood changes (such as irritability, depression).
- While a severe allergic reaction is rare, seek immediate medical help if you observe symptoms like rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
- This list does not cover all possible side effects; contact your doctor or pharmacist for unlisted effects.
Precautions
- Inform your doctor or pharmacist about any allergies to clonidine or any previous rash while using clonidine patches. Inactive ingredients in the product may trigger allergic reactions; consult your pharmacist for details.
- Share your medical history with your doctor or pharmacist, especially if you have kidney disease or heart rhythm problems (such as slow/irregular heartbeat, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block).
- This drug may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid activities requiring alertness, such as driving or using machinery, until you can do so safely. Refrain from alcohol and marijuana (cannabis) use, and discuss marijuana use with your doctor.
- Inform your doctor or dentist about all products you use, including prescriptions, non-prescriptions, and herbal products, before surgery.
- Contact lens wearers may need wetting eye drops as this medication can cause dry eyes.
- Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects, particularly dizziness or drowsiness, increasing the risk of falling.
- Use this medication during pregnancy only if clearly needed; discuss risks and benefits with your doctor.
- Consult your doctor before breastfeeding, as the drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant.