Clonidine is a centrally acting medication used for conditions like high blood pressure, ADHD, Tourette’s syndrome, and sleep disorders. It helps reduce symptoms such as hyperactivity, tics, and insomnia, with recommended dosages varying based on the condition treated. However, it carries risks such as withdrawal symptoms if stopped abruptly, side effects including sedation and dizziness, and must be taken as prescribed to avoid complications.

1. Clonidine for Tourette’s syndrome, ADHD and
Sleep-Onset Disorder : Dosage, Benefits and
Risks
Clonidine is a centrally acting alpha-adrenergic agonist hypotensive
drug. It is used to treat-
 High blood pressure
 Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
 Anxiety disorders
 Withdrawal from alcohol and opiod drugs
 Smoking cessation
 Migraine
 Painful menstrual periods
 Hot flushes from menopause
 Diarrhea
 Tourette’s syndrome
 Sleep disorders
 Acute and chronic pains
 Cancer
It is available as an oral tablet, a patch and an oral extended release
tablet. The brand name for this is Catapres and Kapvay and generic
name is Clonidine Hcl.
Tourette’s syndrome
It is a nervous system disorder which is characterized by repetitive,
involuntary movements and vocalizations called tics. It leads to
compulsive actions and other behavioural symptoms. Clonidine can
be used to treat this syndrome. It helps to reduce the severity and
frequency of tics.

2. Clonidine is given once a day which can be in the morning or in the
evening. The dose may increase by two or three times a day
depending on how much is required.
 Two times a day- once in the morning and once in the evening
between 10-12 hours apart.
 Three times a day- once in the morning, next in afternoon and last
dose at bedtime between 4 hours apart. Small doses should be
taken because it is rapidly removed from the body.
Starting dose is low of 0.05 mg/day and slowly increases over several
weeks to 0.15-0.30 mg/day. High doses causes hypotension,
dizziness and sedation. If it is withdrawn from use on a patient, the
dosage should be reduced gradually.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
It is a chronic brain disorder which is characterized by problems
paying attention, excessive activity, hyperactivity, impulsiveness and
difficulty controlling behaviour clonidine helps to reduce hyperactive
symptoms. It helps to balance the activity of certain brain receptors
which help to reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity. It is also common
in children diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. The exact cause for
ADHD is not known.
In 2010, clonidine was approved by Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) to treat ADHD in children.
It works by increasing attention and decreasing restlessness in
children and adults who are overactive, cannot concentrate for very
long, or are easily distracted and impulsive. This medicine is used as
part of a total treatment program that also includes social, educational,
and psychological treatment. They can be used in children 6-18 years
of age.
Clonidine is available in brand name called Kapvay which is extended-
release tablets to treat ADHD. It is given once a day which can be in

3. the morning or in the evening. The dose may increase by two or three
times a day depending on how much is required.
 Two times a day – once in the morning and once in the evening
between 10-12 hours apart.
 Three times a day- once in the morning, next in afternoon and last
dose at bedtime between 4 hours apart. Small doses should be
taken because it is rapidly removed from the body.
Clonidine is not associated with side effects in ADHD but sometimes it
leads to-
 Fatigue
 Headache
 Dizziness
 Dry mouth
 Constipation
It is given in oral extended release tablet in 6 years and older with
initial dose 0.1 mg in evening and maximum dose of 0.4 mg/day is
divided into 2 doses.
Sleep onset disorders
It is difficulty in getting sleep which includes insomnia, problems falling asleep and
staying asleep which affects sleep. Clonidine helps to fall asleep. It is given once a day
about an hour before bedtime.

4. Guide for Dosage, Benefits and Risks
Dosage
Clonidine is used as a tablet and an extended-release tablet to take by
mouth and also as topical patches applied over skin. It starts it work
within about 45 minutes of taking it.
 Tablets- taken two times a day at evenly spaced intervals these
contain gelatine and lactose
 Extended-release tablet- taken once or twice. It should be
swallowed as a whole. Do not split, chew or crush them.
Take the medicine as directed by the doctor. It may start on a low
dose and gradually increase, not more than once every week.
Oral adult dose is 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg twice daily, maximum oral dose
is 2.4 mg daily

5. Topical patches 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg delivered over 24 hours and
should be applied to an area of hairless skin once every 7 days. When
applying a new topical patch, a different area of skin should be used.
Dose in ADHD
Child dose between age 6-17 years is 0.1 mg to be taken at bedtime.
Dose may be increased by an additional 0.1 mg per day every week
until the symptoms are better. Total daily doses are 0.1-0.4 mg per
day. The total dose is divided into 2 doses taken twice per day.
If the dose is missed, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as
scheduled. Do not take more than the prescribed total daily amount of
clonidine in a 24 hour period.
Benefits
Clonidine is a medication that was originally used to treat high blood
pressure by decreasing heart rate and relaxing blood vessels so that
blood can flow more easily through the body. This now has a number
of other medical benefits which include-
 Catapres is an immediate-release form of clonidine that is used to
treat hypertension
 Kavpay is an extended-release form of clonidine that is used to treat
ADHD
 To treat tics which occur in Tourette’s syndrome
 To reduce cramping during the menstrual cycle in women
 To quit smoking
 To treat chronic and acute pain
 Daignose pheochromocytoma which is a tumor that develops on a
gland near the kidneys
 Axiety issues
 Addition related withdrawal for alcohol and opiod drugs
 Symptoms of narcotic withdrawal
 Diabetic neuropathy
 To manage severe cancer related pain

6.  Diabetes-linked diarrhea
 Restless leg syndrome
 Enhances the effect of stimulant medication
 Appetite neutral
Risks
One of the biggest risks involved in stopping clonidine is the tendency
for people to experience rapid heartbeats and high blood pressure as
symptoms of clonidine withdrawal. Therefore, stopping clonidine on
own is not advised. It is not considered to be a major drug of abuse,
however it doses have the potential to be abused. With prolonged use
of clonidine there appears withdrawal syndrome which consists of
psychological symptoms which include-
 Nervousness
 Anxiety
 Difficult in concentrating
 Tremors
 Headache
 Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Another risk is that if it is stopped abruptly this may cause rebound
high blood pressure. Instead, the dose should be decreased gradually.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase certain side effects of
clonidine.
Along with risk, there are certain side effects also-
 Sedation
 Drowsiness
 Dizziness
 Headache
 Fever
 Fatigue
 Weakness
 Constipation

7.  Drying of the mouth
 Sleep problmes
 Diarrhea
 Stomach pain
Some less frequent side effects are-
 Heart palpitations
 Congestive heart failure
 Atrioventricular blockage
 Anxiety
 Depression
 Withdrawal symptoms
 Low blood pressure
 Hallucinations
 Insomnia
 Restlessness
 Skin rash
 Decreased sexual ability
 Ejaculatory dysfunction
Contact your doctor if these side effects become serious.
In case of overdose following symtopms are seen-
 Fainting
 Slow heart rate
 Difficulty breathing
 Slurred speech
 Shivering
 Tiredness
 Weakness
 Chills and feeling cold
Conclusion : Clonidine is an oral and topical drug prescribed for the
treatment of high blood pressure. It is a long term medication which
should be taken as prescribed. If it is stopped suddenly then lead to a
withdrawal reaction. Side effects, warnings, precautions, drug

8. interactions, pregnancyand breastfeeding safety information should be
reviewed prior to taking any medication. Ask your doctor how to safely
stop using this medicine otherwise will lead to risk factors.
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