Clonidine

For treatment of high blood pressure, the usual starting dose of clonidine is 0.1 mg twice daily, taken in the morning and at bedtime. After 2 to 4 weeks, your doctor may increase your dose gradually by 0.1 mg per day. The usual dose ranges from 0.1 mg to 0.3 mg twice daily.

The tablets should be swallowed whole with water.

Do not stop taking Clonidine suddenly without checking with your doctor.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Clonidine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Clonidine at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause dryness of the mouth; it may cause constipation - to prevent this, drink plenty of water or juice, and eat more dietary fibre; it may cause drowsiness or dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may cause a general feeling of weakness; it may cause nausea or, rarely, vomiting. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

0.025 mg
Each blue, round, biconvex, film-coated tablet engraved "N" on one side contains 0.025 mg of clonidine hydrochloride. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, dibasic calcium phosphate, lactose monohydrate (spray dried), magnesium stearate, pregelatinized starch, FD&C Blue No. 2, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol - partially hydrolyzed, talc, and titanium dioxide.

0.1 mg
Each white, round, flat-faced, bevel-edged, compressed tablet engraved with "no | ov" on one side and "0.1" on the other contains 0.1 mg of clonidine as clonidine hydrochloride. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, dibasic calcium phosphate, lactose monohydrate (spray dried), magnesium stearate and pregelatinized starch.

0.2 mg
Each orange coloured, round, flat-faced, bevel-edged, compressed tablet engraved with "no | ov" on one side and "0.2" on the other contains 0.2 mg of clonidine as clonidine hydrochloride. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, dibasic calcium phosphate, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Lake, lactose monohydrate (spray dried), magnesium stearate and pregelatinized starch.

Do not take Clonidine if you:

• are allergic to clonidine or any ingredients of Clonidine
• have a certain type of abnormal heart rhythm associated with a low heart rate

There may be an interaction between clonidine and any of the following:

• alcohol
• Aldesleukin
• alpha-blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• amifostine
• Amiodarone
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine)
• angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; Captopril, Enalapril, Ramipril)
• angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; e.g., Candesartan, Irbesartan, Losartan)
• antihistamines (e.g,. cetirizine, doxylamine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• azelastine
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., atenolol, metoprolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• brimonidine
• Buprenorphine
• Buspirone
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Diltiazem, Verapamil)
• Ceritinib
• chloral hydrate
• Digoxin
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Aliskiren, Furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• Donepezil
• Dronedarone
• efavirenz
• ephedrine
• Epinephrine
• Fingolimod
• Galantamine
• general anesthetics (medications used to put people to sleep before surgery)
• Guanfacine
• Lanreotide
• levodopa
• Methadone
• Methylphenidate
• Minocycline
• Minoxidil
• Mirtazapine
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• Nabilone
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• nitrates (e.g., Nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., Indomethacin, Naproxen, Diclofenac)
• Octreotide
• Olopatadine
• other alpha agonists (e.g., methyldopa)
• Pasireotide
• penoxifylline
• phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)
• Pramipexole
• Propafenone
• Pseudoephedrine
• Rituximab
• Rivastigmine
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• Rufinamide
• scopolamine
• seizure medications (e.g., Carbamazepine, Clobazam, , Levetiracetam, phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid, zonisamide)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Duloxetine, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; e.g., Desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, Venlafaxine)
• Tapentadol
• tetrahydrocannabinol
• thalidomide
• Tizanidine
• Tramadol
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Clomipramine, Desipramine, Imipramine)
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Clonidine. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Clonidine.

Depression: Clonidine can cause symptoms of depression. If you have a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how Clonidine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Clonidine, and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, or decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking Clonidine, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Clonidine can cause drowsiness and dizziness and may affect the ability of your eyes to change focus quickly between distance and close up. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how you are affected by Clonidine.

Eyes: Clonidine may affect the eye. People taking clonidine should receive periodic eye examinations. Clonidine can cause decreased tear production, and contact lenses may become uncomfortable to wear.

Heart or blood vessel disease: Clonidine lowers blood pressure, which can cause worsening of heart conditions that are affected by decreased blood flow. If you have severe heart or blood vessel disease, have recently had a Heart Attack or Stroke, or a slow heart rate, discuss with your doctor how Clonidine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Clonidine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or decreased kidney function can cause Clonidine to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Clonidine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Clonidine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Lactose: Clonidine may contain lactose. If you have galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption, you should not take Clonidine without talking to your doctor.

Other medical conditions: If you have polyneuropathy or constipation, discuss with your doctor how Clonidine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Clonidine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Raynaud's disease: If you have Raynaud's disease, discuss with your doctor how Clonidine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Clonidine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Surgery: If you are having any type of surgery, make sure that the doctors involved in your care are aware that you are taking Clonidine.

Withdrawal: Don't stop taking Clonidine without talking to your doctor. A severe withdrawal reaction may develop within 12 to 48 hours when clonidine is stopped suddenly. This reaction includes a rapid rise in blood pressure and symptoms such as nervousness, agitation, restlessness, pounding heartbeat, nausea, and headache. When stopping clonidine therapy, your doctor will instruct you to reduce the dose gradually over 2 to 4 days to avoid this reaction. A withdrawal reaction is most likely to occur in people who have been receiving large doses of clonidine or who are taking another type of blood pressure medication called a beta-blocker (e.g., Atenolol, Metoprolol, Bisoprolol) at the same time.

Pregnancy: When taken during pregnancy, clonidine crosses the placenta and may cause the developing baby’s heart rate to slow.

Clonidine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Clonidine, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Clonidine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking clonidine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding. Clonidine is not recommended for women who are breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Clonidine have not been established for children.

This medication is typically used twice a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. It is not advisable to stop using this product suddenly, particularly if you have been on it for several weeks. If you are considering stopping the medication, talk to your pharmacist first. It must be used regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Be sure to keep an adequate supply on hand. If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember -- unless it is almost time for your next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose. Do not double the next dose to catch up. This medication may be taken with or without food. Consuming alcohol may intensify the effect of this product. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. Talk to your health care professional to find out exactly how much alcohol you can drink.