Clonidine is what type of drug

If you feel sleepy, dizzy, or have blurry vision while taking clonidine, do not drive or operate machinery. And avoid other potentially dangerous activities, such as riding a bike or horse, or climbing ladders. Sleepiness, dizziness, and blurry vision usually improve as you continue to take clonidine. They may recommend switching to a different blood pressure medication. Like many other blood pressure medications, clonidine can sometimes cause sexual problems.

These problems may include erectile dysfunction trouble getting or keeping an erection and loss of libido sex drive. These problems can often be solved by switching blood pressure medications. Erectile dysfunction medications can lower your blood pressure, which could increase your risk for dizziness or fainting with clonidine. As with most drugs, some people can have an allergic reaction after taking clonidine IR oral tablets. A more severe allergic reaction is rare but possible.

Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction can include:. Call your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to clonidine IR oral tablets, as the reaction could become severe. Yes, doctors will sometimes prescribe clonidine off-label for anxiety or sleep problems associated with certain conditions.

Off-label drug use means using a drug for a purpose other than what the Food and Drug Administration FDA has approved. Clonidine IR oral tablets have only been approved by the FDA to treat hypertension high blood pressure. But this medication is also used off-label to treat several other conditions.

When used for alcohol or opioid withdrawal, clonidine can help reduce withdrawal symptoms related to stopping these substances. These may include anxiety , agitation, nausea, diarrhea, and sleep problems. They can determine if clonidine is the best treatment for you and what the right dose for withdrawal is for you. If you have an anxiety disorder, your doctor will likely prescribe a medication other than clonidine.

Examples may include benzodiazepines such as clonazepam Klonopin and certain antidepressants such as citalopram Celexa. They can determine whether clonidine or a different medication is right for you and what your dosage should be. Controlled substances are drugs that have a high risk for misuse and addiction.

There are special rules for prescribing and dispensing controlled substances. There are no special rules for prescribing or dispensing it. The effects of clonidine IR oral tablets last for about 12 to 16 hours. This is the half-life of the drug how long it takes for half the dose to be removed from your system. Based on its half-life, clonidine stays in your system for about 2. Its levels will gradually decrease over this time. If you have other questions about how long the effects of clonidine last, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Weight gain has been reported in some people taking clonidine IR oral tablets. If you have unexplained weight gain while taking clonidine, talk with your doctor.

They can help determine the possible cause of the weight gain and what your next steps should be. How well this medication works for you will depend on several individual factors. To find out what you can expect from taking this medication, talk with your doctor. Clonidine is a type of drug called a centrally acting alpha agonist.

Both types of drugs can be used to lower blood pressure, but they work in slightly different ways. Clonidine and beta-blockers both slow your heart rate and allow your blood vessels to relax and widen. But clonidine does this by reducing certain nerve messages from your brain, while beta-blockers act directly on your heart and blood vessels. The clonidine IR oral tablet dosage your doctor prescribes will depend on several factors. Typically, your doctor will start you on a low dosage.

Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect. The following information describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you.

Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. Clonidine IR oral tablets are available in three strengths: 0. The usual starting dosage of clonidine for adults with high blood pressure is 0. Depending on how you respond to the medication, your doctor may increase your daily dose by 0.

Your daily dose should be split into two doses that you take each morning and evening. The usual dosage range is 0. The maximum dosage of clonidine for hypertension in adults is 2. However, doses this high are rarely used. If you miss a dose of clonidine IR oral tablets, take it as soon as possible. Do not take extra doses to make up for missing doses. Doing so could raise your risk for side effects. If you miss more than one dose of clonidine, talk with your doctor right away.

If you go without this medication for too long, it can cause your blood pressure to increase rapidly. This can cause dangerous side effects. This can include setting an alarm or timer on your phone or downloading a reminder app. A kitchen timer can work, too. Clonidine IR oral tablets are meant to be used as a long-term treatment. What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Brand names Brand names of combination products. Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew or crush them. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking clonidine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to clonidine, any of its ingredients, clonidine patches, or any other medications. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. If you become pregnant while taking clonidine, call your doctor. Older adults should not usually use clonidine because it is not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.

Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Alcohol can make the side effects from clonidine worse. This is more common when you first start taking clonidine.

To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up. Make sure to follow all of your doctor's and therapist's instructions.

Your doctor may prescribe a low-salt or low-sodium diet. Follow these directions carefully. Clonidine may cause side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment: rash hives swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs difficulty swallowing or breathing hoarseness Clonidine may cause other side effects.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following: fainting slow heart rate difficulty breathing shivering slurred speech tiredness confusion cold, pale skin drowsiness weakness smaller pupils black circles in the middle of the eyes. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Drugs and Supplements Clonidine Oral Route. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages.

Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you. Clonidine is a long-term medication. This can lead to a withdrawal reaction. Side effects may include:.

You may be able to tell this drug is working if you notice improvement in your symptoms, especially attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. Your doctor may do tests during your treatment with this drug. Your doctor may:. Many insurance companies require a prior authorization for the brand-name version of this drug.

This means your doctor will need to get approval from your insurance company before your insurance company will pay for the prescription. There are other medications available to treat your condition. Some may be more suitable for you than others. Talk to your doctor about possible alternatives. Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date.

However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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