Clonidine belongs to a group of medicines known as antihypertensives.
Clonidine has been used to treat high blood pressure.
Recently it has found new uses (off-label), including:
heroin or nicotine withdrawal; severe pain; dysmenorrhea; vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause; ethanol dependence; prophylaxis of migraines; glaucoma; diabetes-associated diarrhea; impulse control disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), clozapine-induced sialorrhea.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Clonidine exactly as directed.
Children
Hypertension: Children 12 years and older: Initial: 0.2 mg/day in 2 divided doses; increase gradually at 5- to 7-day intervals; maximum: 2.4 mg/day.
ADHD (unlabeled use): Initial: 0.05 mg/day; increase every 3-7 days by 0.05 mg/day to 3-5 mcg/kg/day given in divided doses 3-4 times/day (maximum dose: 0.3-0.4 mg/day).
Adults:
Acute hypertension (urgency): Initial 0.1-0.2 mg; may be followed by additional doses of 0.1 mg every hour, if necessary, to a maximum total dose of 0.6 mg.
Hypertension: Initial dose: 0.1 mg twice daily (maximum recommended dose: 2.4 mg/day); usual dose range: 0.1-0.8 mg/day in 2 divided doses.
Nicotine withdrawal symptoms: 0.1 mg twice daily to maximum of 0.4 mg/day for 3-4 weeks.
The dosages should be adjusted in elderly patients.
Post is based on "How and when to take clonidine" article of the NHS website lasted reviewed on 10 February 2023.