Clonidine

Clonidine

What is clonidine?

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

The Kapvay brand is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Clonidine is sometimes given with other medications.

Clonidine is also available as a transdermal patch to be worn on the skin. Do not use two forms of this medicine at the same time.

Warnings

Before taking clonidine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or severe coronary artery disease, a cardiac arrhythmia, slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, a history of a heart attack or stroke, or kidney disease, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a Catapres TTS transdermal skin patch.

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you are taking other medicines or have any other medical conditions or allergies.

Before you take this medicine

You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to clonidine.

To make sure clonidine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• heart disease or severe coronary artery disease;

• a cardiac arrhythmia, slow heartbeat;

• high or low blood pressure or a history of fainting;

• a heart attack or stroke;

• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);

• kidney disease; or

• if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a Catapres TTS transdermal skin patch.

It is not known whether clonidine will harm an unborn child. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

If you are pregnant, your name may be listed on a pregnancy registry to track the effects of clonidine on the baby.

Clonidine can affect fertility in men and women. Pregnancy may be more difficult to achieve if one parent is taking this medicine.

If you are breastfeeding, tell your doctor if you notice sleepiness, tiredness, rapid breathing, and poor feeding in the breastfed baby.

Catapresis not approved for use by persons under 18 years of age. Don't giveKapvayfor a child under 6 years.

How should I take clonidine?

Take clonidine exactly as your doctor tells you. Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read any medication guides or instructions for use. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Clonidine is usually taken in the morning and at bedtime. If you take different doses of this medication at each time, it may be best to take the larger dose at bedtime.

Clonidine can be taken with or without food.

Swallow the extended-release tablet whole and do not crush, chew or break it.

Tell your doctor if you are scheduled to have surgery.

If you suddenly stop using this medicine, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Consult your doctor before stopping the medicine.

Call your doctor if you experience vomiting.This is especially important for a child taking clonidine.

If you have high blood pressure, continue taking this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often causes no symptoms.

Store at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat and light.

Dosage information

Usual adult dosage for high blood pressure:

Orally:
-Initial dose: 0.1 mg orally twice daily (morning and at bedtime)
-Titration: Depending on the desired response, increases of 0.1 mg orally per day can be made at weekly intervals
-Maintenance dose: 0.2 to 0.6 mg orally per day in multiple doses
-Maximum dose: 2.4 mg orally per day in multiple doses

Comments:
-Taking a larger portion of the daily oral dose before bedtime may minimize the temporary adaptive effects of dry mouth and drowsiness

Transdermal patches:
-Initial dose: 0.1 mg/24 hour patch applied every 7 days
-Maintenance dose: If desired blood pressure reduction is not achieved after 1 to 2 weeks, increase dosage by adding another 0.1 mg/24-hour patch or switching to a larger system
-Maximum dose: Doses greater than two 0.3 mg/24 hour patches administered every 7 days are not usually associated with additional effectiveness

Comments:
-The transdermal patch should be applied to a hairless area of ​​intact skin on the upper arm or chest.
-Each new patch should be applied to a different area of ​​skin than the previous area.
-If the patch comes off during 7 days of wear, the adhesive layer should be applied directly over the system to ensure good adhesion.
-There have been rare reports of the need for patch changes within 7 days to maintain blood pressure control.
-When patches replace the oral formulation or other antihypertensive medications, physicians should be aware that the antihypertensive effect of the patches may not occur for 2 to 3 days after initial use; Therefore, a gradual reduction in the previous dose of medication is recommended. Particularly in patients with more severe forms of hypertension, some or all previous antihypertensive treatments may need to be continued.

Application: For high blood pressure, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents

Usual Pediatric Dose for Attention Deficit Disorder:

Extended release:
6 years and older:
-Initial dose: 0.1 mg orally at bedtime
-Titration: increase in increments of 0.1 mg/day every 7 days until desired response; Doses should be administered twice daily (either divided equally or the larger dose divided at bedtime).
-Maximum dose: 0.4 mg/day in 2 divided doses

Comments:
-Can be taken with or without food.
- If a dose is missed, that dose should be skipped and the next dose taken as planned.
-Tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed, chewed or broken to avoid accelerating drug release.
– If you stop therapy, reduce the daily dose by no more than 0.1 mg every 3 to 7 days.

Use: For the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy to stimulant medications.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not use two doses at the same time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222.

Symptoms of overdose may include feeling cold, irritability, weakness, sleepiness or lightheadedness, weak reflexes, small pupils, slow heartbeat, shallow breathing, or a seizure.

What should I avoid while taking clonidine?

Avoid alcohol. It may increase certain side effects of clonidine.

Avoid driving and dangerous activities until you know how clonidine affects you. Dizziness or drowsiness can lead to falls, accidents or serious injury.

Avoid overheating or dehydration during exercise and in hot weather.

Clonidine side effects

If necessary, get emergency medical helpSigns of an allergic reaction to clonidine: hives; difficult breathing; Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat;

• a very slow heart rate; or

• a dizzy feeling, like you might faint.

Common clonidine side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness;

• feeling tired or irritable;

• dry mouth;

• constipation, loss of appetite; or

• Sleep disorders (insomnia), nightmares.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs affect clonidine?

Taking clonidine with other medications that make you sleepy can worsen this effect. Consult your doctor before taking opioid medications, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, or anti-anxiety or seizure medications.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking, especially:

• other heart or blood pressure medications;

• an antidepressant; or

• any other medicine that contains clonidine.

This list is not complete. Other medications can interact with clonidine, including prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

More information

Remember to keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use clonidine only for the prescribed indication.