Clonidine Hydrochloride
This medication is used to lower blood pressure by reducing the levels of certain chemicals in the blood. This allows the blood vessels to relax and the heart to beat more slowly and easily.
Clonidine Hydrochloride brand Catapres is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). While the Kapvay brand is usually used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity (ADHD).
Drug Trade Name: Catapres and Kapvay
Benefits Clonidine Hydrochloride
Clonidine Hydrochloride is useful for treating high blood pressure by lowering the heart rate and relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily throughout the body. In addition, this drug can also treat ADHD by affecting the part of the brain that controls attention and impulsivity.
Dose Clonidine Hydrochloride
Cancer Pain Disorders
- The drug is used epidurally.
- Adults: Initial dose 30 mcg/hour as a continuous infusion in combination with opioids, adjusted according to response.
Hypertensive Crisis Disorder
- The drug is used intravenously.
- Adults: 150-300 mcg given over 10-15 minutes, may be repeated up to a maximum of 750 mcg over 24 hours.
Hypertension Disorders
- The drug is used orally.
- Adults: Initially 50-100 mcg. May be increased every 2 or 3 days according to response.
- Maintenance: 300-1,200 mcg daily, some times may require more than 1,800 mcg daily.
- Maximum 2,400 mcg daily.
Menopausal Flushing and Migraine Prophylaxis
- Adults: 50 mcg bid, may increase to 75 mcg bid if no remission after 2 weeks.
Hypertension Disorders
- The drug is used transdermally.
- Adults: As an additional 100-300 mcg/24 hr. Apply once weekly.
How to Use Clonidine Hydrochloride
Take this medication exactly as directed by your doctor and as directed on the package label. Your doctor may change your dose to ensure you get the best results.
- Do not take this medication in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer than recommended.
- Clonidine Hydrochloride is usually taken in the morning and before bed.
- If using different doses of this medication at each dosing time, it may be best to take the larger dose at bedtime.
- Clonidine Hydrochloride may be taken with or without food.
- Do not use two forms of Clonidine Hydrochloride at the same time.
- Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets.
- Swallow the medication whole and tell your doctor if you have difficulty swallowing the tablets.
- Do not stop using Clonidine Hydrochloride suddenly. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using this medication.
- Store the medication at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Clonidine Hydrochloride Side Effects
Clonidine Hydrochloride may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Dry mouth.
- Fatigue.
Interaction Clonidine Hydrochloride
- Increased hypotensive effect with other antihypertensives.
- Reduces antihypertensive effects and induces orthostatic hypotension with TCAs or neuroleptics with receptor-blocking properties.
- Reduces the therapeutic effect of NSAIDs.
- Potentiation of bradycardia rhythm disturbances with a substance with negative chronotropic or dromotropic effects.
- May potentiate the CNS depressant effects of barbiturates or other sedatives.
- May prolong the duration of the pharmacological effects of epidural local anesthetics.
Contraindications of Clonidine Hydrochloride
Clonidine Hydrochloride may be contraindicated in patients with a history of sensitization or allergic reactions to clonidine. Epidural administration may be contraindicated in case of infection at the injection site in patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy and in those with bleeding diathesis.