Clonidine Withdrawal: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery

Clonidine is a drug used to treat a number of health conditions. It’s primarily used to manage hypertension (high blood pressure). However, it’s also FDA-approved for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptom management and reducing the withdrawal symptoms of high-risk drugs such as opioids. Unfortunately, clonidine itself also has severe withdrawal symptoms which, if not managed properly, can lead to serious illness.

Knowing the risks associated with clonidine can help you make an informed choice about medications and understand why it’s important to follow your healthcare professional’s advice. However, if you do find yourself dependent on clonidine and want to stop taking the drug, this article will give you the crucial information you need.

What Is Clonidine?

Clonidine is a prescription medication that’s sometimes sold under the brand names Catapres, Kapvay, and Onyda XR. It’s used for lowering blood pressure and reducing the heart rate. Clonidine and Catapres can be given as tablets, injections, or patches. The Kapvay brand is a tablet used to treat ADHD symptoms, and the Onyda XR brand is an oral suspension (liquid) also used for ADHD-diagnosed children ages six and up. [1]

How Does Clonidine Work?

This drug is classed as an alpha-adrenergic and imidazoline receptor agonist, which means it interacts with these cellular receptors that, in turn, affect the central nervous system (CNS). The impact of this is that it prompts the body to rebalance the level of chemicals that relax blood vessels and increase the overall blood supply to the heart.[2] This action is why clonidine is classed as a vasodilator.[3] 

Clonidine Side Effects

As with many prescription medications, there are various common side effects you may experience while taking clonidine, including:[1]

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Mood changes, such as feeling irritable
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Nightmares
• Loss of appetite
• Constipation

More serious side effects include:

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Extremely low heart rate
• Feeling like you might faint

If you experience any of these severe symptoms, including signs of an allergic reaction such as hives or swelling, seek medical attention immediately. [1]

Is Clonidine Addictive?

Clonidine is not classed as a traditionally addictive substance as it doesn’t act on the brain in the same way as, for example, an opioid does. Clonidine use is normally classed as safe under controlled circumstances and is even used to help opioid addicts better handle their withdrawal symptoms. [4]

However, clonidine addiction can occur. Via either extended use or substance abuse, the body can become so used to the chemical that it struggles to cope without it, leading to withdrawal. Withdrawal also occurs when stopping the drug suddenly. [5] There’s also a risk of psychological addiction, where the individual believes that they must continue taking the drug. They may be afraid of the withdrawal effects and might be taking clonidine with other drugs, like alcohol, marijuana, or opioids, so they associate clonidine with the positive feelings they want when using those substances. [6]

You will likely find that any clonidine medication package has a disclaimer warning you about side effects and the possibility of physical dependence.

What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms From Clonidine?

Healthcare providers know that you cannot stop taking clonidine suddenly. You need to decrease the drug dosage gradually to prevent what’s called rebound hypertension. This condition occurs when the individual’s blood pressure quickly becomes very high. It’s extremely dangerous and can lead to a hypertensive crisis that requires immediate medical attention. [5]

Other clonidine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Agitation
• Nervousness
• Irritability
• Tremors
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Gradually weaning someone off clonidine typically reduces the risk of these symptoms.[2]

Treating Clonidine Withdrawal

The best way to handle clonidine addiction or withdrawal is to quickly contact a dedicated treatment center. Monitored detoxification, with someone to support you as the drug leaves your system, is essential for ensuring you don’t stop the drug too quickly and go into a hypertensive crisis.

If you have already stopped taking clonidine, contact your doctor or another medical professional as soon as possible to discuss the next steps. In some cases, you may need to take a low dose of the drug to lower your blood pressure and ensure that you’re not in immediate danger. You may also need to take an alternative medication that replicates some of the effects of clonidine.

Anti-nausea medications, painkillers, and drugs to help stop tremors can also help. Talking therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or group sessions are also useful. It’s good to know that you’re not the only one going through clonidine withdrawal. It’s something that can happen to anyone, and talking it through can help you realize that what you’re currently coping with is only temporary. You will get back to a point where you feel great and love life again.

Understanding Clonidine Overdose

At the other end of the scale from clonidine withdrawal is the risk of clonidine overdose. In one case, a man living at a nursing care home was accidentally using two clonidine patches. The care team was supposed to remove one before applying another, but this was overlooked. The man’s blood pressure became so low that he had to be hospitalized for hypotension. [7]

It’s easy to see how overdoses can happen completely by accident, even with prescription medications. Symptoms of clonidine overdose include:[7]

• Feeling faint and lightheaded
• Struggling to stand
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Slow heart rate or very fast heart rate
• Shortness of breath and rapid breathing

Any of these symptoms should prompt you to seek medical assistance, whether for yourself or a loved one. [7]

Recovery From Clonidine Misuse or Withdrawal

Even if you’re concerned that you may be addicted to clonidine, you should never suddenly stop taking the drug for the reasons outlined above. Instead, you can reach out to treatment facilities that can help you safely detox and wean you off the substance. The experts at these facilities have a treatment process in place that may include medications to help manage any symptoms while also focusing on helping you overcome the psychological trauma of addiction and withdrawal.

Any substance can become dangerous when taken over a long period of time or misused, either deliberately or inadvertently. Here at Southeast Detox, GA, we don’t judge your personal circumstances or reasons for using any substance. Our treatment center is home to state-of-the-art therapies, programs, and expert professionals who are with you every step of the way as you deal with clonidine withdrawal — and eventually recover from it. Get in touch to find out more.