What is clonidine?
Clonidine lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows your blood vessels to relax and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.
Clonidine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). The Kapvay brand of clonidine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Clonidine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about clonidine?
Before you take clonidine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or severe coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder, slow heartbeats, low blood pressure, a history of heart attack or stroke, kidney disease, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a clonidine transdermal skin patch (Catapres TTS).
Do not take two forms of clonidine at the same time.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using clonidine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Do not stop using clonidine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using clonidine.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Clonidine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clonidine?
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to clonidine.
To make sure you can safely take clonidine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
heart disease or severe coronary artery disease;
heart rhythm disorder, slow heartbeats;
low blood pressure;
a history of heart attack or stroke;
kidney disease; or
if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a clonidine transdermal skin patch (Catapres TTS).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known if clonidine is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Clonidine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not take this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give Kapvay to a child younger than 6 years old.