Clonidine

Clonidine is used for treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Clonidine is an alpha agonist. It works by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing heart rate, which lowers blood pressure.

Do not use Clonidine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Clonidine.

• Clonidine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Clonidine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Clonidine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Talk to your doctor before using alcohol or medicines that may cause drowsiness (e.g., sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Clonidine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Clonidine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel normal. Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
• If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
• If you experience dry mouth, use sugarless candy or gum, or melt bits of ice in your mouth to help keep your mouth moist.
• Do not suddenly stop taking Clonidine without talking to your doctor. Nervousness, agitation, confusion, tremor, and headache may occur. These may be followed by a rapid, severe rise in blood pressure. You may be at greater risk if you use high doses or if you also take a beta-blocker (e.g., propranolol). If you need to stop taking Clonidine, follow your doctor's instructions for slowly decreasing your dose.
• Lab tests, including blood pressure, may be performed while you take Clonidine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Clonidine with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.
• Clonidine should be used with extreme caution in children younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Use Clonidine with extreme caution in children unable to take oral medicines due to vomiting; they may have a higher risk of developing withdrawal symptoms, including severe high blood pressure.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Clonidine while you are pregnant. Clonidine is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Clonidine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; nausea; tiredness; vomiting.

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; decreased sexual desire or ability; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet.

Clonidine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.