Side effects
The use of Clonidine commonly causes:
The following side effects are also reported with Clonidine:
Some side effects may not need medical attention. They may lessen or go away as your body adjusts to the treatment. Your doctor and other members of the health team may be able to tell you about ways to manage some of these side effects.
You should tell your doctor if any of the following side effects persists:
Clonidine may still produce some side effects after you stop using it. You should check with your doctor immediately if you experience the following side effects: agitation, nervousness, headache, shakiness and pounding heartbeat.
Warnings
Clonidine should not be discontinued without the doctor's supervision. Abrupt discontinuation may cause serious side effects.
Clonidine may increase the effects of alcohol and other medicines that slow down the central nervous system. Check with your doctor before taking any medicine that may make you drowsy or less alert.
The infusion pump and its tube should be checked regularly to make sure the Clonidine flow has not stopped accidentally. It is also important to check the catheter or injection site for signs of infection.
Dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting may occur, particularly when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help lessen such symptoms. Clonidine may cause you to become drowsy or less alert. Make sure you know how your body responds to this drug before carrying out tasks that demand alertness, such as driving or using machines.
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• Do not run out of this medicine.
• Wear disease medical alert identification.
• You may have certain heart tests before starting this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.
• The patch may contain conducting metal. Remove patch before MRI.
• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.
• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• If you are taking this medicine and have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider before using over-the-counter products that may increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain natural products or supplements.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
• Dry eyes. Using artificial tears may help.
• Skin irritation.
• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.
• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Severe dizziness or passing out.
• Severe constipation.
• Feeling extremely tired or weak.
• Severe skin irritation.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
• This medicine does not mix well with some medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.
• If you have an allergy to clonidine or any other part of this medicine.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Clonidine decreases the body's release of adrenaline and other hormones that increase blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety.
• It works works through the brain to relieve pain.
• It has a stabilizing effect in children with attention deficit disorder.
All forms:
• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
Tablet:
• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Take last dose of the day at bedtime.
Skin patch:
• Remove old patch first.
• Apply to clean, dry, healthy skin on chest, back, or belly. Move site with each patch.
• If patch loosens, apply tape over it to hold in place.
Injection:
• This medicine is given into the spine.
Oral:
• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
Skin patch:
• Apply a missed patch as soon as possible after removing the old one.
• If it is almost time for the next patch, place the new patch on.
• Start a new schedule after patch is replaced.
• Do not apply a double dose or extra doses.
• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
• Store patch and tablets at room temperature.
• Protect tablets from light.
• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
• The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
Created: 2006-10-13 11:36:22.0
Modified: 2010-03-25 09:09:12.0
Lexi-PALS TM © (1977)-(2007) Lexi-Comp, Inc. All rights reserved.
• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
• This medicine is used to prevent migraine headaches.
• This medicine is used to control pain when infused into the spine.
• This medicine is used to relieve painful menstrual cycles.
• This medicine is used to treat drug addiction and withdrawal.
• This medicine is used to treat flushing.
• This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure.
• This medicine is used to treat hot flashes caused by other medicines.
• This medicine is used to treat attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity.
• Rarely, this medicine is used to treat diabetes-associated diarrhea.
Clonidine is a alpha-2-adrenergic agonist that is typically used for pain relief.
(KLON i deen)
