Clonidine
About Clonidine
Clonidine belongs to a class of medicines called antihypertensives used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Besides this, Clonidine is also used alone or in combination with opiate medicines for the treatment of severe pain in cancer patients which is not sufficiently relieved by opioid analgesics alone.
Clonidine relaxes and widens the blood vessels making it easier for the heart to pump blood to all parts of the body. This helps in lowering the blood pressure and the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Also, Clonidine prevents the transmission of pain signals to the brain, thereby providing relief from pain.
In some cases, Clonidine may cause dry mouth, headache, dizziness, nausea, postural hypotension and low blood pressure. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and will resolve gradually over time. However, you are advised to talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Clonidine is not recommended for obstetrical (related to childbirth), post-partum, or peri-operative pain management. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy. Avoid breastfeeding while taking Clonidine. Clonidine may cause dizziness, so drive only if you are alert. Keep your doctor informed about your health condition and medications to rule out any interactions/side effects.
Uses of Clonidine
Medicinal Benefits
Clonidine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Clonidine relaxes and widens the blood vessels making it easier for the heart to pump blood to all parts of the body. This helps in lowering the blood pressure and the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Clonidine is also used alone or in combination with opiate medicines for the treatment of severe pain in cancer patients which is not sufficiently relieved by opioid analgesics alone. Clonidine prevents the transmission of pain signals to the brain, thereby providing relief from pain.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Clonidine
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Postural hypotension
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Nausea
Drug Warnings
Do not take Clonidine if you are allergic to any of its contents. Inform your doctor if you have/had bleeding problems, circulation problems, stroke, depression, diabetes, nervous problems, constipation, phaeochromocytoma (tumour of adrenal glands), heart, kidney or liver problems. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Clonidine is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Clonidine may cause dizziness, so avoid driving or operating machinery unless you are alert.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Clonidine may have interaction with cardiac glycoside (digitalis), anti-psychotic (fluphenazine), beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers.
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found/established.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have depression, kidney dysfunction, heart problems such as bradyarrhythmia, and low blood pressure.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended to avoid alcohol consumption while on treatment with Clonidine to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this, your doctor will prescribe Clonidine only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAvoid breastfeeding while on treatment with Clonidine. Please consult your doctor if you have any concerns regarding this.
Driving
cautionClonidine may cause dizziness and sleepiness. Drive and operate machinery only if you are alert.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Clonidine should be used with caution in patients with liver impairment/liver disease. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed. Clonidine should be used with caution in patients with kidney impairment/kidney disease. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeClonidine is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- You are advised to consume low salt and low-fat diet while taking Clonidine.
- Regular exercise is also recommended to complement treatment with Clonidine.
- Eat a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Maintain a healthy weight with proper diet and exercise.
- Manage stress with meditation, yoga, and massage.
Special Advise
- Regularly monitor blood pressure levels to prevent hypotension (low blood pressure).
- Get up slowly while rising from lying or sitting position as Clonidine may cause dizziness.
- Your doctor may advise you to get regular kidney function tests and potassium levels tested whilst on treatment with Clonidine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High blood pressure (hypertension): It is a condition in which the blood exerts increased pressure on the walls of blood vessels leading to hypertension. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack. Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. Symptoms of high blood pressure include headache, dizziness, nose bleed, changes in vision, chest pain, weakness and dyspnoea (shortness of breath). However, most of the time, the signs and symptoms of hypertension are none.
Pain: It is a symptom triggered by the nervous system, causing uncomfortable sensations in the body. Pain may be dull or sharp; it might be constant or may come and go. The common causes of pain include headache, muscle strain, cramps, cuts, bone fractures, arthritis, stomach ache, and certain medical conditions.
FAQs
Clonidine belongs to a class of medicines called antihypertensives used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Besides this, Clonidine is also used alone or in combination with opiate medicines for the treatment of severe pain in cancer patients which is not sufficiently relieved by opioid analgesics alone.
Clonidine relaxes and widens the blood vessels making it easier for the heart to pump blood to all parts of the body. This helps in lowering the blood pressure and the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Clonidine prevents the transmission of pain signals to the brain, thereby provides relief from pain.
Dry mouth could be a side effect of Clonidine. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might help in stimulating saliva and thereby prevents drying of the mouth.
Postural hypotension could be a side-effect of Clonidine. Postural hypotension is a sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing. If you experience this, do not try to stand up suddenly or start walking, instead lie down and get up slowly only when you feel better.
Sudden cessation of treatment with Clonidine may cause symptoms such as agitation, headache, nervousness, tremor, and rise in blood pressure. Your doctor will reduce the dose gradually to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
Please consult your doctor before taking other medicines with Clonidine. Particularly, inform your doctor if you are taking medicines used to treat high blood pressure, heart problems, depression, mood swings, or pain relievers.
