Clonidine HCl generic for Catapres, Catapres-TTS-1, Catapres-TTS-2, Catapres-TTS-3, and Duraclon is used to lower blood pressure by decreasing levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows the blood vessels to relax and also allows the heart to beat much slower and easily.I was put on Clonidine when I went to detox for opioid addiction. This was to regulate my blood pressure and to also help with my withdrawal's. Although it has not been approved by the FDA for the following purposes, Clonidine has been used to relieve alcohol withdrawal, as an aid in methadone and opiate detoxification, as an aid to help quit smoking, to treat diabetic diarrhea, and to treat Tourette's Syndromes. Clonidine has been used to reduce menopausal flushing, treat postherpetic neuralgia, ulcerative colitis and to diagnose pheochromocytoma. When I was put on Clonidine, I could notice a difference right away. I have fewer and less frequent cold sweats as well as less tremblings due to withdrawals from opiates. Before taking Clonidine tell your doctor if you have had any of the following: - heart disease - severe coronary artery disease - heart rhythm disorder - a history of heart attack - history of stroke - kidney disease - or if you ever had an allergic reaction to a Clonidine trans-dermal skin patch (Catapres TTS) Do not suddenly stop taking Clonidine without consulting a doctor or it may cause: - nervousness - agitation - headache - tremors - sever high blood pressure - or life-threattening symptoms *You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Clonidine as this may cause an increase in side effects.* *Becareful driving a car or operating heavy machinery as Clonidine can impair your thinking or reaction time.* Clonidine is a pregnancy category C: It is not known whether or not Clonidine is harmful to an unborn baby. Clonidine can pass into breast milk so you should tell your doctor if you are pregnant or think you may become pregnant before taking this medication. If you think you are going to have surgery be sure you tell your doctor you are taking Clonidine as you may have to stop taking this medication before the surgery. Do not stop taking this medication even if you feel better and do not start taking more of this medication than directed. Overdose may occur from increasing or taking to much of this medication. Symptoms and signs of an overdose from Clonidine include; - high blood pressure - sever headache - blurred vision - buzzing in your ears - anxiety - confusion - chest pain - shortness of breath Followed by - low blood pressure - feeling light-headed - fainting - drowsiness - cold feeling - slow heart rate - shallow breathing - weakness - fainting - pinpoint pupils While I was taking clonidine I suffered from minimal to no side effects. Only side effects that I did occur while taking Clonidine was: - sleepiness - weak - a little confusion Known side effects of Clonidine are: - feeling dizzy, tired, or nervous - dry mouth - blurred vision, dry or burnning eyes - headache - muscle - joint pain - nausea, vomiting, - loss of appetite - sleep problems - urinating more at night - mild skin rash - itching - decreased sex drive More serious side effects that may occur and you should contact your doctor right away are: - fast or pounding heartbeats - feeling like you might pass out - fever or pale skin - urinating less than usual or not at all - confusion or hallucinations - swelling and/or rapid weight gain - very slow heart beat (less than 60 beats per second) - and feeling short of breath even with mild exertion Clonidine helped me drastically while going through detox. It really helped my cravings for opiate's and also helped my cravings for cigarettes as I could not smoke in the facility I was at. What a wonderful medicine. Even if you are not in the same situation I was, it is still a great blood pressure medication. It can be used with other blood pressure medications to help regulate your blood pressure. And if you are a smoker and have tried everything else and still couldn't quit. I highly recommend Clonidine. It has helped me greatly.

jweaver1982

Pelham, NC