Side Effects of Clonidine
Clonidine, also known as Catapres, is classified as a central alpha-adrenoceptor agonist. Drugs within this classification decrease heart rate, pulse rate and systemic blood pressure. It also allows veins and arteries to relax and thus widen, allowing for easier movement of previously restricted blood flow. Effects of Clonidine are rapid with results typically being seen with a decrease in blood pressure within the first hour. Maximum results are usually recorded within two to four hours. Along with being prescribed to treat high blood pressure, Clonidine is also used for smoking cessation withdrawals, opiate withdrawal, to help decrease menopause symptoms, to treat ADHD and to assist in alleviating migraine headaches. Clonidine is available in a tablet form that comes in 0.1mg, 0.2mg and 0.3mg dosage strengths. It is also available as an injectable solution, and in patch form.
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Dry Mouth
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Clonidine can cause a dry feeling in the mouth, excessive thirst, hoarseness, a sore throat, and problems with swallowing, eating or chewing due to lack of saliva.
Increase in Nervousness
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Insomnia, irritability, an unusually quick or over-reaction to external stimuli, fidgeting, pacing, wringing hands, fast speech and quickened pulse are all possible side effects when consuming prescription Clonidine.
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Nausea
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Clonidine's side effects might include dry heaves, constipation, vomiting, diarrhea, upset stomach and excessive gas.
Drowsiness
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An overall feeling of weakness, fatigue, dizziness, sleepiness, vertigo, shortness of breath and exhaustion might be experienced by consuming Clonidine.
Hallucinations
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Hearing, smelling, seeing, feeling or tasting anything that does not have an external stimuli might be considered an hallucination, and Clonidine users might suffer from hallucinations. It is possible to experience a hallucination and know that the external stimuli is not present just as it is possible to presume there are external factors causing the sensations.
Hypotension
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Low blood pressure, also referred to as hypotension, is a possible side effect when using Clonidine. According to the Mayo Clinic, some symptoms of hypotension include pale skin that feels cold or clammy, excessive fatigue, shallow breathing, lack of an ability to concentrate and fainting spells.
Hypertensive Encephalopathy
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Although exceptionally rare, there might be a possibility for an individual to experience hypertensive encephalopathy when using prescription Clonidine. A long-term elevated blood pressure with diastolic pressure being greater than 120 can cause brain dysfunction and renal failure. Headaches, vomiting, seizures, brain hemorrhaging and possible retinal hemorrhaging can occur.
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