Clonidine oral tablet is a generic medication. It’s not available as a brand-name drug, but other forms of clonidine are available as brand-name versions. Clonidine also comes in injectable forms and skin patches, but those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
This article describes clonidine oral tablet’s dosages, its strengths, and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for clonidine.
If you want to know more about clonidine oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Clonidine oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: immediate-release* tablet that you take by mouth
- Strengths: 0.1 milligram (mg), 0.2 mg, 0.3 mg
* With this form of clonidine, the drug releases into the body as soon as you take a dose. Other forms are available, but they’re not described in this article.
Dosage of clonidine
This article describes the recommended dosages* for clonidine oral tablet.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should take the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of clonidine oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
* The drug manufacturer provides these recommended dosages.
Usual recommended dosages of clonidine in adults
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of clonidine oral tablet. Then they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of clonidine oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.
Dosage for hypertension (high blood pressure)
The following are typical dosages of clonidine for high blood pressure. Your doctor will adjust your dosage based on your blood pressure readings.
- Starting dosage: 0.2 mg daily, divided into a morning dose and a bedtime dose
- Dosage increase: 0.1 mg daily each week until blood pressure is managed
- Maintenance dosage: 0.2 mg to 0.6 mg daily, divided into a morning dose and a bedtime dose
- Maximum dosage daily: 2.4 mg* daily, divided into a morning dose and a bedtime dose
* This high dosage is rarely prescribed.
Dosage adjustments for clonidine
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of clonidine oral tablet based on several factors, including:
- the specific condition being treated and its severity
- other health conditions you may have
- your kidney function
If you are an older adult (age 65 years or older), your doctor typically will prescribe a lower starting dosage.
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Start consult nowMissed dose of clonidine
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of clonidine oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of clonidine oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about clonidine oral tablet and its dosage.
Is clonidine approved to treat anxiety? If so, what is the dosage?
No, clonidine isn’t approved to treat anxiety, so the drugmaker doesn’t have a recommended dosage for this condition. But your doctor might prescribe clonidine off-label for anxiety.
With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat. You can learn more about this use by talking with your doctor.
Can clonidine be taken for sleep? If so, what is the dosage?
Yes, clonidine has been used off-label for trouble sleeping, which doctors call insomnia. Clonidine can also make you feel sleepy as a side effect when you take it for high blood pressure. Off-label use means doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat.
Because clonidine isn’t approved for insomnia, the drug manufacturer doesn’t have a recommended dosage for this condition. If you’d like to learn more about this condition or clonidine, you can talk with your doctor.
Can clonidine oral tablet be used in children?
It depends on the form of the drug. The form of clonidine described in this article is the immediate-release (IR) oral tablet. This form is not approved for use in children. So if your child’s doctor prescribes the IR tablet for your child, it’s an off-label use. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat.
Other forms of clonidine are approved for use in children. You can learn more about these forms and their dosages by speaking with your child’s doctor.
Is clonidine used long term?
Yes, doctors typically prescribe clonidine oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
If you have questions about how long you should take clonidine oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
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Get free cardIs there a risk of withdrawal with clonidine?
Yes, if you stop taking clonidine suddenly, you are at risk of withdrawal symptoms. You are more likely to experience withdrawal symptoms if your dose of clonidine is high and you’ve taken it for a long time.
Withdrawal symptoms include:
- headache
- nervousness
- agitation
- shakiness
- blood pressure that increases quickly
- in rare cases, brain damage or death
If you’re considering stopping clonidine, talk with your doctor first. They will give you a taper schedule that lowers your dose slowly and safely. The taper typically lasts 2 to 4 days.
How clonidine is taken
You’ll swallow clonidine oral tablet twice per day. Typically you’ll take a dose in the morning and at bedtime. Your doctor may advise you to take a larger part of your dose at bedtime. This can reduce the side effects of sleepiness and dry mouth.
You may take clonidine with or without food.
Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. Doing so keeps a consistent amount of the drug in your body. This can help the drug work more effectively.
If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form. Clonidine tablets have a score line (a groove). So you can split them to help make them easier to swallow. The drug manufacturer hasn’t stated whether clonidine can be crushed or chewed. To learn more about this, you can talk with your pharmacist or doctor.
Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
If you have surgery planned, you may need to pause your clonidine dosage before surgery. Your doctor can advise when and how to do so.
Clonidine coupon
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Overdose of clonidine
It’s important that you do not take more clonidine oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.
Symptoms of clonidine overdose
Symptoms of an overdose can include:
- blood pressure that is too low
- slow heartbeat
- weakness
- small eye pupils
- difficulty breathing
- dangerously low body temperature
- drowsiness
- slowed reflexes
What to do if you take too much clonidine
If you think you’ve taken too much clonidine, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for clonidine oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of clonidine oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take clonidine oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- If I am age 65 years or older, will my clonidine dosage be lower?
- How often will my doctor change my clonidine dosage?
- Should my clonidine dosage decrease if I start another blood pressure medication?
- Am I likely to have withdrawal symptoms if I stop taking my clonidine dosage?
- Do I need to stop my clonidine dosage before I have surgery?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
