Last Updated on March 16, 2024
Most online pharmacies offer Clonidine 0.1 mg, 0.15 mg and 0.2 mg. First read tips about purchasing drugs online in case you prefer to get Catapres online.
Clonidine is a medication that is typically used to treat high blood pressure. However, it is also known to be effective in treating other conditions such as anxiety, ADHD, and opioid withdrawal symptoms. Although it is a prescription medication, it is possible to purchase clonidine over the counter in some countries, including the UK.
If you are looking to buy clonidine over the counter in the UK, you should know that it is not available in every pharmacy or drug store. Your best bet is to check with your local pharmacy and inquire about their availability of this medication. It’s important to note that not all pharmacies will have the medication in stock, and some may require a prescription.
Another option is to purchase clonidine online from a reputable source. However, it’s essential to be cautious when purchasing medication online. Always ensure that you are buying from a reputable source and that the medication is safe and legitimate. It’s also important to check if you need a prescription to purchase clonidine online as some websites may require one. Furthermore, it is recommended that you consult your doctor before taking clonidine or any other medication.
What is Clonidine?
Clonidine has a wide range of therapeutic uses, including the treatment of high blood pressure, withdrawal symptoms in drug or alcohol addiction, migraine and glaucoma. However, due to the many sites of action in the body, it can also cause adverse effects. Find out all you need to know about clonidine: how it works, how it is used and possible side effects.
How Clonidine works?
Clonidine acts as a sympatholytic in the human nervous system, meaning that it inhibits the action of the sympathetic nervous system. This is the part of the autonomic nervous system that uses the ‘stress hormones’ adrenaline and noradrenaline to increase the body’s readiness to perform – that is, to trigger body responses such as a faster heartbeat, bronchodilation (better oxygen uptake) and a rise in blood pressure. This state is also known as the “fight or flight” mode. The counterpart to the sympathetic nervous system is the parasympathetic nervous system: It helps the body regenerate and aids digestion, which is why it is also called “rest and digest” mode.
The drug clonidine inhibits the release of “sympathetic nervous system messengers, adrenaline and noradrenaline”. This ultimately leads to a reduction in blood pressure and heart rate, a mild sedative effect and pain relief.
Pharmacokinetics and metabolism of Clonidine
After taking a tablet of clonidine, it is well absorbed through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream and reaches its maximum blood level after one to three hours. In the liver, a small amount of the administered dose is broken down by enzymes. After about five to 25 hours, half of the administered amount of clonidine is excreted in the urine and three-quarters in the stool.
When is Clonidine used?
- For the treatment of hypertension
- To alleviate withdrawal symptoms in drug or alcohol addiction
- For managing symptoms of migraine
- In the treatment of glaucoma
- As adjunctive therapy for certain psychiatric disorders
- In emergency medicine, hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system, accompanied by tremors and restlessness
In addition, clonidine is currently used ‘off-label’, i.e. for purposes other than those for which it is licensed.
It is usually used on a long-term basis.
How Clonidine is taken?
Clonidine is usually taken in tablet or capsule form, especially for the treatment of high blood pressure. At the start of treatment, the dose is gradually increased until the individual dose requirement is found – this is also known as ‘creeping dose’. Another advantage of this slow dose escalation is that it does not result in too large a drop in blood pressure, which can be felt as dizziness or weakness.
To be taken twice a day (morning and evening), unless you are taking Retardkapseln, which release the active ingredient clonidine slowly throughout the day. In this case, a once-daily dose is sufficient. The usual daily dose is between 150 and 600 micrograms of clonidine, with a maximum dose of 900 micrograms. However, up to 1800 micrograms of clonidine may be used in exceptional cases of very severe hypertension.
Eye drops containing clonidine are also available for use in glaucoma. One drop is applied to the affected eye two to three times a day, depending on the condition. Contact lenses and other eye drops or ointments should only be used after at least 15 minutes.
What are the side effects of Clonidine?
In treatment with Clonidine it comes with more than one in ten patients dizziness (including when standing up), a weakening of the nervous system and dry mouth.
In addition, one in tens to hundreds of patients treated with clonidine show side effects such as depression, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, sore salivary glands, erectile dysfunction (impotence) and fatigue.
What should I watch for while taking Clonidine?
In combination with other antihypertensive agents can lead to increased blood pressure. Examples of such agents are:
- the beta-blockers metoprolol and bisoprolol (cardiovascular drugs)
- the dehydrating agents (diuretics) furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone
- the ACE inhibitors captopril, enalapril and ramipril
- the vasodilator compounds alfuzosin, doxazosin and tamsulosin
In contrast pressor substances reduce the effect of Clonidine. Such substances are, for example:
- large amounts of sodium (such as in brine or table salt)
- certain rheumatism and pain medicines (aspirin/acetylsalicylic acid, ibuprofen, diclofenac, piroxicam, etoricoxib)
- amitriptyline (antidepressant)
- certain medicines for mental disorders (antipsychotics/neuroleptics such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol, clozapine)
The concomitant use of drugs that have a sedative effect, leading to an increased sedative effect. The same applies to alcohol.
In general: The combination of Clonidine with other medicines should always be discussed with your doctor or pharmacist.
In some cases, clonidine has been used “off-label” in combination with methylphenidate in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with serious and sometimes fatal side effects. This combination of active ingredients is therefore not strongly recommended.
Use in children and adolescents has not been studied and is therefore not recommended. Clonidine should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women as it crosses the placenta and is excreted in breast milk.
A lower dose of clonidine may be needed in the elderly (over 65 years of age) and in patients with severe renal impairment.
If treatment is to be stopped, clonidine should not be stopped suddenly. Instead, the dose should be gradually reduced (tapering). Otherwise, a sudden and very large increase in blood pressure may occur (the so-called “rebound” phenomenon).
How to obtain medication with Clonidine
After a doctor’s prescription to obtain preparations containing the active ingredient in Clonidine dosage requirements in the pharmacy.
Since when Clonidine is known?
In the early 1960s, while testing various nasal decongestants, it was discovered that one substance – clonidine – had a powerful antihypertensive effect. After further research, the substance was approved for the first time in 1970 as an antihypertensive. As the patent has now expired, there are now several generic versions of the active ingredient clonidine.
