Drug
Clonidine Hcl
Pronounced
"KLON-i-deen"
Uses
This medication is used alone or with other medications to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as part of a total treatment plan, including psychological, social, and other treatments.
Other Uses
This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This medication may also be used for high blood pressure (hypertension) and to help people quit smoking.
How to Use This Medication
Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use if available from your pharmacist before you start taking clonidine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually once daily at bedtime.
Shake the bottle gently for at least 10 seconds before each dose. Carefully measure the dose using the oral syringe that comes with the medication. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Rinse the syringe with water after each use. Consult your pharmacist if you have any questions.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start this medication at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.
Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. You may experience symptoms such as headache, fast heartbeat, nausea, anxiety, and flushing. A rapid rise in blood pressure may also occur when the drug is suddenly stopped. The risk is greater if you have used this drug for a long time or in high doses, or if you are also taking a beta blocker (such as atenolol). There have also been rare reports of severe, possibly fatal reactions (such as stroke) from stopping this drug too quickly. It is important that you do not run out of clonidine or miss any doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you are unable to take the medication (for example, due to vomiting). To prevent any reactions while you are stopping treatment with this drug, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new or worsening symptoms right away.
Other forms of this medication (such as immediate-release tablets) may deliver different amounts of this medication. Do not switch between the different forms of this medication without your doctor's permission and directions. Also, do not take other clonidine-containing products while taking this medication.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse.