What should you know about clonidine for blood pressure?

Clonidine dampens nerve signals that encourage blood vessels to tighten and the heart to work harder. This can lower blood pressure, while also causing sleepiness, dry mouth, constipation, dizziness, or a slower pulse in some people. Your clinician chooses it based on your readings, medical history, and other treatments.

The medicine may be supplied as tablets, liquid, or another prescribed form. Use only the form and amount written for you. Alcohol and other sedating medicines may increase drowsiness, so discuss them with a pharmacist or clinician.

Take clonidine at the prescribed times and keep a record of home blood-pressure readings and symptoms. Rise slowly from bed or a chair if you feel light-headed. Keep enough medicine available for your routine, and ask a pharmacist what to do if you vomit or miss a dose.

Do not stop clonidine abruptly. A clinician may need to reduce it gradually while another treatment is arranged. Tell every healthcare professional that you take it, particularly before a procedure. Mention kidney disease, heart failure, angina, or a history of stroke when your treatment is reviewed.

Get emergency help for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, severe confusion, or a sudden severe headache. Contact your prescriber promptly for repeated very low readings, a very slow pulse, or dizziness that affects walking.

Ask why clonidine is being used, how it fits with your other medicines, when to check your pressure, and what to do after a missed dose. Ask whether sleep apnoea, obesity, or another condition may be making blood pressure harder to control.