Clonidine: What to Know Before You Take It
Also sold as Catapres, Kapvay
What Clonidine Is Used For
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Clonidine hydrochloride tablets are indicated in the treatment of hypertension. Clonidine hydrochloride tablets may be employed alone or concomitantly with other antihypertensive agents.
Warnings
WARNINGS Withdrawal Patients should be instructed not to discontinue therapy without consulting their physician. Sudden cessation of clonidine treatment has, in some cases, resulted in symptoms such as nervousness, agitation, headache, and tremor accompanied or followed by a rapid rise in blood pressure and elevated catecholamine concentrations in the plasma. The likelihood of such reactions to discontinuation of clonidine therapy appears to be greater after administration of higher doses or continuation of concomitant beta-blocker treatment and special caution is therefore advised in these situations. Rare instances of hypertensive encephalopathy, cerebrovascular accidents and death have been reported after clonidine withdrawal. When discontinuing therapy with clonidine hydrochloride tablets, the physician should reduce the dose gradually over 2 to 4 days to avoid withdrawal symptomatology. An excessive rise in blood pressure following discontinuation of clonidine hydrochloride tablets therapy can be reversed by administration of oral clonidine hydrochloride or by intravenous phentolamine. If therapy is to be discontinued in patients receiving a beta-blocker and clonidine concurrently, the beta-blocker should be withdrawn several days before the gradual discontinuation of clonidine hydrochloride tablets. Because children commonly have gastrointestinal illnesses that lead to vomiting, they may be particularly susceptible to hypertensive episodes resulting from abrupt inability to take medication.
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS Clonidine hydrochloride tablets should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to clonidine (see PRECAUTIONS ).
Clonidine Drug Interactions (11)
Check Clonidine against your full medication list in our free Interaction Checker
Most-Reported Side Effects
Based on 56,141 reports in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports do not prove the drug caused the effect.
Explore full Clonidine safety data in our free FDA Safety Explorer
FDA Recalls (11)
CGMP Deviations: use of an unapproved raw material
Recalling firm: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc
CGMP Deviations: use of an unapproved raw material
Recalling firm: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc
CGMP Deviations: use of an unapproved raw material
Recalling firm: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc
Product mix-up:0.2 mg strength Clonidine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP in a 100-count bottle of 0.3 mg strength Clonidine Hydrochloride Tablets,
Recalling firm: UNICHEM PHARMACEUTICALS USA INC
Defective Delivery System: Out of specification for release liner removal force results at the 3-month CRT stability timepoint.
Recalling firm: Mayne Pharma Inc
cGMP deviations: Temperature abuse
Recalling firm: Mckesson Medical-Surgical Inc. Corporate Office
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications
Recalling firm: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications: potential migration of benzophenone at very low level into the product from container.
Recalling firm: UNICHEM PHARMACEUTICALS USA INC
Failed Impurities/Degredation Specifications: This recall is initiated as a precautionary measure due to potential migration of Benzophenone at very low level into product from container label.
Recalling firm: UNICHEM PHARMACEUTICALS USA INC
Labeling: Label Error on Declared Strength: Side carton panel incorrectly lists the concentration as "500 mcg Clonidine Hydrochloride" rather than the correct concentration of "100 mcg Clonidine Hydrochloride" per mL.
Recalling firm: X-Gen Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Labeling: Label Error On Declared Strength: The side label description incorrectly states "Each mL contains 500 mcg Clonidine Hydrochloride" instead of stating "Each mL contains 100 mcg Clonidine Hydrochloride".
Recalling firm: X-Gen Pharmaceuticals Inc.
This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.