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Such pharmacies include Walmart. Walmart has a $4 generic plan where you can get most - generic medications for $4 for 30 pills.
Such pharmacies include Walmart. Walmart has a $4 generic plan where you can get most - generic medications for $4 for 30 pills.

http://www.walmart.com/cp/4-Prescriptions-Program/546834


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 16:22, 12 February 2010

Not to be confused with clomifene or Klonopin.
Clonidine
Clinical data
Routes of
administration		oral, transdermal
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • US: WARNING[1]
  • In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability75-95%
Protein binding20-40%
MetabolismHepatic to inactive metabolites
Elimination half-life12-33 hours
Excretionurine (40-50%)
Identifiers
  • N-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-amine
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
ECHA InfoCard100.021.928 Edit this at Wikidata
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC9H9Cl2N3
Molar mass230.093 g/mol g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
  • Clc1c(c(Cl)ccc1)N/C2=N/CCN2
  (verify)

Clonidine is a medication used to treat several medical conditions. It is a direct-acting α2 adrenergic agonist.

Uses

It has been prescribed historically as an antihypertensive agent. It has found new uses, including treatment of some types of neuropathic pain, opioid detoxification, sleep hyperhidrosis, anaesthetic use, and off-label, to counter the side effects of stimulant medications such as methylphenidate or amphetamine. It is becoming a more accepted treatment for insomnia, as well as for relief of menopausal symptoms. Clonidine is increasingly used in conjunction with stimulants to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), for which it is administered in late afternoon or evening for sleep, and because it sometimes helps moderate ADHD-associated impulsive and oppositional behavior, and may reduce tics.[2] Clonidine can be used in the treatment of Tourette syndrome.[3] Clonidine is also a mild sedative, and can be used as premedication before surgery or procedures. [4]

Mechanism

Clonidine treats high blood pressure by stimulating α2 receptors in the brain, which decreases cardiac output and peripheral vascular resistance, lowering blood pressure. It has specificity towards the presynaptic α2 receptors in the vasomotor center in the brainstem. This binding decreases presynaptic calcium levels, and inhibits the release of norepinephrine (NE). The net effect is a decrease in sympathetic tone.[5]

Indications & preparations

Clonidine tablets and transdermal patch


Clonidine is typically available as tablets (Catapres, Dixarit), as a transdermal patch (Catapres-TTS), or as an injectable form to be given epidurally, directly to the central nervous system.

FDA approved uses

This medication may also be used to ease withdrawal symptoms associated with the long-term use of narcotics, alcohol and nicotine (smoking). In addition, clonidine has also been used for migraine headaches, hot flashes associated with menopause, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.[6][7]

Clonidine is regularly prescribed to opiate addicts to help alleviate their withdrawal symptoms. It is mainly used to combat the sympathetic nervous system response to opiate withdrawal, namely tachycardia and hypertension, in the initial days of withdrawals.[8] It helps take away the sweating, hot/cold flashes, and general restlessness. The sedation effect is also useful although its side effects can include insomnia, thus exacerbating an already common feature of opiate withdrawal.[9]

Off-Label Uses

Clonidine is used off-label to treat psychiatric disorders including stress, sleep disturbances, and hyperarousal caused by post-traumatic stress disorder, borderline personality disorder, and other anxiety disorders. [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]

Clonidine along with Methylphenidate has been studied for treatment of ADHD. [19] [20]

An extended-release version of clonidine named Clonicel is also being studied for treatment of ADHD[21] [22] [23] [24].

Adverse effects

This drug may cause lightheadedness, dry mouth, dizziness, or constipation. Clonidine may also cause hypotension[25]

Rebound hypertension on withdrawal

Clonidine suppresses sympathetic outflow resulting in lower blood pressure, but sudden discontinuation can cause rebound hypertension due to a rebound in sympathetic outflow.

Clonidine therapy should generally be gradually tapered off when discontinuing therapy to avoid rebound effects from occurring. Treatment of clonidine withdrawal hypertension depends on the severity of the condition. Reintroduction of clonidine for mild cases, alpha and beta blockers for more urgent situations. Beta blockers never should be used alone to treat clonidine withdrawal as alpha vasoconstriction would still continue.[26][27]

Since ADHD drugs like amphetamine and methylphenidate tend to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, missed doses of clonidine while under ADHD stimulant therapy might entail increased risks of a more severe rebound hypertension. This has not been evaluated.

Pharmacodynamics

Clonidine is a centrally-acting α-adrenergic receptor agonist with more affinity for α2 than α1. It selectively stimulates receptors in the brain that monitor catecholamine levels in the blood. These receptors close a negative feedback loop that begins with descending sympathetic nerves from the brain that control the production of catecholamines (epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, and norepinephrine) in the adrenal medulla. By fooling the brain into believing that catecholamine levels are higher than they really are, clonidine causes the brain to reduce its signals to the adrenal medulla, which in turn lowers catecholamine production and blood levels. The result is a lowered heart rate and blood pressure, with side effects of dry mouth and fatigue. If clonidine is suddenly withdrawn the sympathetic nervous system will revert to producing high levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine, higher even than before treatment, causing rebound hypertension. Rebound hypertension can be avoided by slowly withdrawing treatment.

Clonidine suppression test

Clonidine's effect on reducing circulating epinephrine by a central mechanism was used in the past as an investigatory test for pheochromocytoma,[28] which is a catecholamine-synthesizing tumor, usually of the adrenal medulla. In a clonidine suppression test plasma catecholamines levels are measured before and 3 hours after a 0.3 µg/kg oral test dose has been given to a patient. A positive test occurs if there is no decrease in plasma levels.

Pricing

Clonidine pricing varies by pharmacy, but is typically about $35 for 100 pills. However, some local pharmacies may have this drug on their discount drug list, selling it for as low as $4 for 30 pills.

Such pharmacies include Walmart. Walmart has a $4 generic plan where you can get most - generic medications for $4 for 30 pills.

http://www.walmart.com/cp/4-Prescriptions-Program/546834

References

  1. ^ "FDA-sourced list of all drugs with black box warnings (Use Download Full Results and View Query links.)". nctr-crs.fda.gov. FDA. Retrieved 22 Oct 2023.
  2. ^ National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2002). "Methylphenidate and Clonidine Help Children With ADHD and Tics".
  3. ^ Schapiro NA. "Dude, you don't have Tourette's": Tourette's syndrome, beyond the tics. Pediatr Nurs. 2002 May-Jun;28(3):243-6, 249-53. PMID 12087644
  4. ^ Fazi L. A comparison of oral clonidine and oral midazolam as preanesthetic medications in the pediatric tonsillectomy patient. Anesth Analg. 2001 Jan;92(1):56-61. PMID 11133600
  5. ^ Shen, Howard (2008). Illustrated Pharmacology Memory Cards: PharMnemonics. Minireview. p. 12. ISBN 1-59541-101-1.
  6. ^ "Clonidine Oral Uses". Web MD.
  7. ^ "Clonidine". Drugs.com.
  8. ^ . AJ Giannini. Drugs of Abuse--Second Edition. Los Angeles, Practice Management Information Corporation,1997.
  9. ^ AJ Giannini, I. Extein,MS Gold, ALC Pottash, S. Castellani. Clonidine in mania. Drug Development Research. 3:101-105,1983.
  10. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 19512980 , please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=19512980 instead.
  11. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 18474199 , please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=18474199 instead.
  12. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 17506224 , please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=17506224 instead.
  13. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 17414682 , please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=17414682 instead.
  14. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 17354267 , please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=17354267 instead.
  15. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 10560025 , please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=10560025 instead.
  16. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 7937367 , please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=7937367 instead.
  17. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 2960712 , please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=2960712 instead.
  18. ^ "Understanding Comorbid Depression and Anxiety".
  19. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 18182964 , please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=18182964 instead.
  20. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 18182963 , please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=18182963 instead.
  21. ^ "Clinical Trials For Clonicel".
  22. ^ "Clonicel Press Release".
  23. ^ "Addrenex's Clonicel Product Data" (PDF).
  24. ^ Attention: This template ({{cite pmid}}) is deprecated. To cite the publication identified by PMID 20030423 , please use {{cite journal}} with |pmid=20030423 instead.
  25. ^ Hossmann V (1980). "Sedative and cardiovascular effects of clonidine and nitrazepam". Clin Pharmacol Ther. 28 (2): 167–76. PMID 7398184. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  26. ^ Keith Parker; Laurence Brunton; Goodman, Louis Sanford; Lazo, John S.; Gilman, Alfred (2006). Goodman & Gilman's the pharmacological basis of therapeutics. New York: McGraw-Hill. pp. 854–855. ISBN 0-07-142280-3.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  27. ^ Vitiello B (2008). "Understanding the risk of using medications for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with respect to physical growth and cardiovascular function" (PDF). Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 17 (2): 459–74, xi. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2007.11.010. PMC 2408826. PMID 18295156. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  28. ^ Eisenhofer G, Goldstein DS, Walther MM; et al. (2003). "Biochemical diagnosis of pheochromocytoma: how to distinguish true- from false-positive test results". J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 88 (6): 2656–66. doi:10.1210/jc.2002-030005. PMID 12788870. {{cite journal}}: Explicit use of et al. in: |author= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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