Clonidine is a sympathomimetic medication used to treat medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, ADHD, anxiety/panic disorder, and certain pain conditions. This kind of medicine is called an adrenergic agonist, and it works by binding to certain receptors for adrenaline (norepinephrine), causing them to produce more of this neurotransmitter. It is classified as a centrally acting α2 adrenergic agonist. An alternative hypothesis that has been proposed is that clonidine acts centrally as an imidazoline receptor agonist.
Before taking Clonidine
Tell your doctor if you have heart disease or severe coronary artery disease.
Tell your doctor if you ever had an allergic reaction to clonidine transdermal.
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease or a history of heart disease.
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Glucophage or any other drugs.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
Tell your doctor if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Clonidine.
Clonidine Side Effects
If you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
Nervous system
Nervous system side effects have included restless sleep and nightmares, convulsions, depression.
Gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal side effects have included abdominal pain, stomach and intestinal cramps, biliary tract spasm, weakening of the bowel (atony), and intestinal obstruction.
Cardiovascular system
Cardiovascular system side effects have included cardiac arrhythmias, fast or less often slow heart beat, increase or decrease in pressure.
Reproductive system
Reproductive system side effects have included reduced potency and libido.
Respiratory
Respiratory side effects have included cough, dyspnea, asthma (2% to 5%), chest congestion, difficulty breathing.
Dermatologic
Dermatologic side effects have included skin rash, hives, itching.
Other
Other side effects have included weight gain, difficulty swallowing, tinnitus.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath) followed by low blood pressure (feeling light-headed, fainting), drowsiness, cold feeling, slow heart rate, shallow breathing, weakness, fainting.
What other information should I know?
During the period of treatment, one should refrain from intake of ethanol (alcohol). Clonidine enhances the effects of alcohol, antipsychotics, tranquilizers, barbiturates, and narcotics, and drugs that are used for treatment of high blood pressure.
Effects on the ability to drive and operate other machines: You should avoid potentially hazardous activities, and give up driving during treatment because of the possible inhibitory effect of the drug.
