Clonidine Drugs, Benefits, Dosages and Side Effects

Clonidine is a drug to reduce large blood pressure (hypertension). In use, clonidine can be used as a single drug or in combination with other drugs. This drug must be used with a doctor's formula.

Clonidine is an antihypertensive drug that works by dilating blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily. When blood flows easily, blood pressure will gradually decrease. Apart from hypertension, clonidine can also be used to treat chronic pain due to cancer, reduce indications of hot flashes in menopausal women, and avoid headaches or one-sided headaches. 

Clonidine trademarks: Catapres, Clonidine, Clonidine HCl, Clonidine Hydrochloride 

    - What is Clonidine 

    - Class = Prescription drug 

    - Category = Antihypertensive 

    - Benefits = Overcoming hypertension, curing chronic pain due to cancer, reducing hot flashes, and avoiding headaches or migraines 

    - Used by adults and children 

    - Clonidine for mothers with two bodies and breastfeeding = Category C: Research on animal studies has shown side effects on children, but there has been no research on pregnant women. Drugs may only be used if the expected efficacy exceeds the risk to the child. Clonidine can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine before asking your doctor. 

    - The form of the drug = tablets and injections Precautions Before Using Clonidine Clonidine should not be used carelessly. Before using clonidine, you need to pay attention to the following things: 

    - Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to clonidine. - Tell your doctor if you currently have or are suffering from cardiovascular disease, such as heart rhythm disturbances, coronary heart disease, low blood pressure (hypotension), Raynaud's disease, heart attack, stroke, or if you have fainted.

    - Tell your doctor if you have or have had kidney disease, pheochromocytoma, depression, or stomach or intestinal problems. 

    - Tell your doctor if you are currently taking blood thinners or have bleeding problems if you are going to be given clonidine via epidural injection. 

    - Do not share clonidine with children under 6 years of age. 

    - Do not immediately carry out activities that require alertness, such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery, after using clonidine, because this drug can cause drowsiness and dizziness. 

    - Consult a doctor regarding the use of clonidine in the elderly over 65 years, because the elderly are more at risk of experiencing dizziness, drowsiness, and injuries due to falls.

 

  - Tell your doctor if you are using clonidine before undergoing medical or surgery, including dental surgery. 

     - Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

    - Tell your doctor if you are planning a pregnancy, because clonidine can affect the fertility of the reproductive organs, both male and female. 

    - Tell your doctor if you are taking other medications, including supplements and herbal products, to treat drug interactions.

    - Do not consume alcoholic beverages while undergoing treatment with clonidine, because it can increase the risk of side effects. 

    - Immediately see a doctor if there is a drug allergic response, serious side effects, or an overdose after using clonidine. Dosage and Terms of Use Clonidine The dosage and duration of use of clonidine will be determined by the doctor according to the age and health condition of the patient. The following is a breakdown of the dose of clonidine based on the form of the drug and the purpose of the treatment: Tablet form Purpose: Treating hypertension 

    - Adults: Initially 50–100 mcg, 3 times daily. The dose can be increased every 2-3 days, according to the patient's body response. Maintenance dose 300–1. 200 mcg per day given in divided doses. Maximum dosage is 2,400 mcg per day. 

    - Children aged > 12 years: 200 mcg, 2 times a day. Dosage can be increased weekly, as needed. Maintenance dose 200–600 mcg, 2 times daily. Maximum dosage is 2,400 mcg per day.

Purpose: Overcome the symptoms of hot flashes in menopausal women, avoid headaches or migraines - Adult: Initial dose, 50 mcg, 2 times a day. The dose can be increased to 75 mcg, 2 times a day, if the indications do not improve after 2 weeks of healing. Intravenous (through a vein) injection Goal: 

Overcome the hypertensive crisis - Adults: 150–300 mcg, given by slow IV injection (over 10–15 minutes). Doses can be repeated up to a maximum of 750 mcg for 24 hours. Epidural injection form (nerve at the base of the back) Purpose: Relieve chronic pain from cancer - Adults: Initial dose of 30 mcg per hour by infusion, combined with opioid pain relievers. 

The dose can be lowered or increased, according to the patient's response. How to use Clonidine correctly Injectable clonidine should only be given by a doctor or medical staff under the supervision of a doctor. If you are given clonidine in oral form, follow your doctor's advice and read the information on the clonidine packaging before using it. Take clonidine regularly at the same time each day. Clonidine can be taken with or without food. Swallow this medicine with the encouragement of water or soft food.

If you don't remember using clonidine, it is recommended to do it immediately if the time interval with the next usage program is not very close. If it is close, ignore the forgotten dose and do not double the dose the next time. It should be noted that these drugs can help control blood pressure, but cannot cure it. To help keep blood pressure under control, you also need to keep your body weight perfect, active in sports, not smoking, and avoiding consuming foods that are high in salt and high in fat. 

Do not stop using clonidine even if you feel better. Stopping taking drugs suddenly can cause blood pressure to rise quickly and risk endangering the sufferer. Not only that, indications of withdrawal can also appear in the form of anxiety, headaches, and tremors. Store clonidine in its packaging at room temperature which is free from direct sunlight, not damp or hot, and keep the drug out of reach of children. 

Clonidine Interactions with Other Drugs Side effects that can arise from using clonidine with other drugs are: - Increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest due to arrhythmia when used with methylphenidate 

    - Increased risk of reducing excess blood pressure when used with opioid pain relievers or other antihypertensive drugs, such as diuretics, beta blockers, vasodilators, calcium antagonists, or ACE inhibitors 

    - Increased risk of developing the effects of barbiturate or other sedative drugs, which can cause severe drowsiness, confusion, or difficulty thinking. 

    - Decreased clonidine efficiency and increased risk of developing orthostatic hypotension when used with tricyclic antidepressants or phenothiazines

    - Decreased effectiveness of clonidine when used with mirtazapine 

    - Increased risk of developing heart rhythm disturbances when used with high-dose digoxin or injectable haloperidol Side Effects and Dangers of Clonidine Side effects that may occur after using clonidine include: 

    - Sleepiness - Headache or dizziness - Dry mouth - Constipation (constipation) - Nausea or vomiting - Lost appetite - Fatigue - Easily offended - Insomnia or nightmares - Weak or lethargic - Decreased sexual desire

Immediately go to the doctor if the side effects above do not subside. Checking with the doctor also needs to be done if a drug allergic response occurs which is indicated by complaints in the form of an itchy and swollen rash, swollen eyelids and lips, or difficulty breathing. You also have to go to the doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects, such as: 

    - Severe chest pain, or shortness of breath 

    - Irregular heartbeat or feeling slow 

    - Changes in mood, such as irritability or depression 

    - Dizzy until you feel like you're about to faint If you are given clonidine in injection form, tell your doctor immediately if you have a headache, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, fever, and signs of inflammation at the injection or infusion site, such as burning sensation, redness or swelling, and fever. 

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