Clonidine is a medication used to treat high blood pressure. According to MedlinePlus, it is a central-acting alpha-agonist hypotensive agent that relaxes your blood vessels and slows your heart rate to lower your blood pressure. Clonidine is available as a tablet or patch. You will initially take 0.1mg of clonidine daily and its maximum dosage is 2.4mg, says the National Library of Medicine. Apply the patch as your doctor prescribes.
Common Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, clonidine's common side effects include a headache, nausea, vomiting and constipation. Vomiting can cause your body to become extremely dehydrated and have low blood potassium levels. Drink seven to ten glasses of water daily to replenish the fluid lost. Consume potassium-rich fruits and vegetables such as apricots, bananas and spinach. Clonidine can also cause drowsiness, dizziness, nervousness, dry mouth and a headache. Do not drive your car or control heavy machinery when you are drowsy. Clonidine's other common side effects include blurry vision, muscle or joint pain, insomnia, a skin rash and decreased sex drive. Call your doctor when any of these manifestations continues for more than four days. He may adjust your clonidine dosage.
Serious Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine says that sudden discontinuation of clonidine can cause such withdrawal symptoms as agitation, tremors and nervousness. It can also increase your blood pressure and increase catecholamines (epinephrine) in your body. A sudden increase in blood pressure can lead to a severe headache, stroke or even death. Increased catecholamines stimulate your sympathetic nervous system (your fight or flight response to stress) and you may become tachycardic (having a fast heartbeat) and anxious. MedlinePlus indicates that clonidine can cause widespread rashes, trouble breathing and swelling of your eyes, hands, feet or legs. Call your doctor as soon as clonidine causes these symptoms.
Additional Concerns
Avoid clonidine if you are allergic to it or any other central-acting alpha-agonist hypotensive agents. Difficulty breathing and swelling of the throat can occur. You must tell your doctor if you have a history of cardiovascular problems or a history of stroke. Your doctor will adjust clonidine's dosage to make it safe for you to use. Avoid clonidine when you are breastfeeding, as it can contaminate breast milk. Do not combine clonidine with such drugs as digitalis, amitriptyline, labetolol and nefedipine, as the combination can lead to clonidine's aforementioned side effects.
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