Clonidine for Anxiety: Benefits and Considerations

Clonidine, known by its brand name Catapres, is a medicine that is primarily used to lower blood pressure. Sometimes, it is also prescribed off-label to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and many other anxiety disorders. However, it can show several fatal effects if misused. Your doctor or healthcare provider may suggest when and how to use Clonidine for anxiety and other mental health disorders. So, let’s explore the article and learn about the effectiveness, uses, dosage, and side effects of Clonidine. 

Is Clonidine For Anxiety Good?

Yes, Clonidine or Catapres can help treat anxiety and other mental disorders. Anxiety is one of the most common psychotic disorders that are prevalent worldwide. In the United States, approximately 19.1% of the adult population has struggled with anxiety disorders.  It can lead to absence from the workplace and school and can cause a lot of mental pressure on your mind, with a burden for different things. In recent times, psychiatrists have started prescribing Clonidine because of its high range of capability to treat more than one disease. Those illnesses include anxiety disorders and hypertension.

There can be various anxiety disorders that Clonidine can help with:

• Generalized anxiety disorder

• Social anxiety disorder 

• Panic disorder 

• Phobia-related disorders

How Effective is Clonidine for Anxiety?

Though research is limited to proving the effectiveness of clonidine for anxiety, a few show its benefit in managing symptoms associated with anxiety. Experts find that it significantly helps decrease anxiety in people living with panic disorders. Moreover, they also reveal that this medication can help prevent anxiety attacks. Clonidine can also reduce high blood pressure and make you calmer and more relaxed. It is helpful as anxiety can lead to elevated blood pressure due to an increase in the activity of the nervous system. 

How Does Clonidine Help Anxiety?

Clonidine works by targeting the area of the central nervous system which plays a huge role in fight-or-flight response. It stimulates the alpha-2 adrenergic receptors which stops norepinephrine production. Norepinephrine is responsible for causing anxiety and stress. This action of the medication helps prevent overactivity of specific parts of the brain. It, in turn, produces calming effects and subsides the symptoms of anxiety. Keep in mind that Clonidine is prescribed off-label. This means it is used for treating different conditions other than what the FDA approves it for. However, several medical professionals suggest it as an alternative drug for anxiety, particularly in cases where first-line treatments fail. 

Common Uses of Clonidine

Since there have been many uses of Clonidine, it is more actively used for the treatment of the following conditions:

• Anxiety Disorders

• Combat Nightmares

• Insomnia

• Opioid Withdrawal

• Cigarette Smoking

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

• Menopausal flushing

• Migraine

Clonidine Dose for Anxiety

It is advisable not to use the medicine without your doctor's prescription. You can consult your doctor for the right dosage and how it affects you differently. Your healthcare provider may change the dosage multiple times, so your body doesn't get addicted to the use. The dosage for adults depends on various factors. The medicine is available in different forms, including 0.1 mg, 0.2 mg, 0.3 mg tablets, and transdermal patches. 

• The starting clonidine dose for anxiety​ is 0.1 mg, which you can take at least twice daily

• The maximum dosage is 1.2 mg a day

• 0.1 mg patches are usually allowed for at least once per day.

The use of the drug is largely dependent on the extent of your problem and the body's response. Take the extended-release tablet orally without crushing, cutting, or chewing. You can also take medicine after or before having your meal. The medicine comes with effective and careful instructions. You can ask the doctor for clarification or read the direct and effective dosage leaflet manual. 

How Long Does Clonidine for Anxiety Take to Work?

Clonidine or Catapres basically takes 30-60 minutes after the last intake to start showing its effects. However, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), its complete therapeutic effects might usually take 4-8 weeks to make you feel better. Always remember to strictly follow the dosage instructions given by the doctors for maximum results. In addition, keep in mind to use the correct dosage at the same time each day. The providers might adjust the dosage to find what quantity works for you. 

How to Use Clonidine for Anxiety?

It is very crucial to ask your doctors about the details of its use. Consider the following guidelines while using Clonidine for anxiety: 

• You can take medicine with or without food or as prescribed by your doctor. It is usually taken twice in the morning and before bed.

• If none of your medicinal doses is equal, you can also take one dose higher in amount, especially before going to bed. This may help you reduce the side effects. 

• Although the dosage of Clonidine for anxiety is highly determined by the extent of issues you have been going through, never indulge in any practice that may let you have the medicines alone or without any doctor's prescription.

• To have the best advantages of the medicine, you can try taking the dose regularly or in the same routine.

• Moreover, do not stop the use of the medication suddenly even when you find some improvement in the symptoms. It can lead to withdrawal risks. 

Note: We recommend you to have the proper consultation before taking medicine. This is because the medicine can highly affect you mentally, physically, brain, and blood pressure.

Missed Dose - 

Never try to take the missed dosage of any medicine at an irregular time. You can resume your routine even if you have missed your dose. Also, you don't need to increase the dose the next time, especially if you have missed one. This can lead to severe side effects of overdose. It is better to consult the doctor for the proper prescriptions and consultations.

How Long Does One Have to Take Clonidine?

Its intake depends on the symptoms, how long you've been struggling with them, and how frequently they occur. Some people need to have it for several months while others for years. However, always make sure to not stop its use suddenly. It can lead to certain withdrawal side effects that can be adverse to one's health. So, always discuss with doctors as they will help determine whether you need to continue with the medication or not. In addition, they might help you lower the dosage to prevent the severe effects while the body starts learning to adjust without it. 

Side Effects of Clonidine

Clonidine can also come with some side effects. Seek medical help, if you experience the following side effects:

• Dry Mouth

• Fever

• Weakness

• Fatigue

• Anxiety

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Agitation

• Headache

• Constipation

• Abdominal pain

• Low sexual activity

Also, you may need immediate medical attention, if you develop severe side effects such as:

• Difficulty breathing or swallowing

• Swelling in the feet, throat, face, lips, eyes, hands)

• Hives

• Rashes

• Hoarseness

• Low blood pressure

Does Clonidine Produce Any Side Effects Due to Addiction & Withdrawal?

Yes, the short answer is Yes! If you have been using clonidine tablets for a long time, your body may get addicted to them. According to the American Addiction Centers, the potential symptoms of clonidine addiction may include:

• Uncontrollable drug use

• Increased tolerance

• less responsible at work or home

Moreover, if you stop taking the clonidine abruptly, you can face withdrawal risks. According to the FDA, certain withdrawal symptoms may affect your body. The side effects may include:

• Tremors

• Headaches

• Insomnia

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Fatigue

• Increased agitation

Note: If the symptoms become severe, this can also lead to the urge to die, showing serious and killing symptoms, especially at the withdrawal time. So, if you are witnessing these symptoms, try consulting the doctor after a short period. Ask if you require any change. Also, keep on discussing your doctor about your medical conditions. This may help the providers refer you to another medicine in your time of need.

Drug Interactions

Always be cautious when you are using clonidine with other medications that you might be taking for other health issues. The reason is the possible interaction with different medications that may slow breathing and cause sleepiness. So, avoid taking clonidine with these other drugs:

• Sleep medicines

• Antidepressants

• Beta-blockers

• Neuroleptics

• Barbiturates or other sedating drugs

In addition, avoid alcohol when taking clonidine as it can increase certain complications. It can worsen the side effects of the medication. Moreover, it can cause the risk of fainting, sleepiness, headaches, and changes in heart rate and pulse. So, always talk to your healthcare provider about your medical history before taking Catapres for anxiety. This can help avoid unpleasant effects.

Important note: If you or anyone you know intends to use Clonidine, consult the healthcare provider first. You can explain your circumstances or the issues you have been going through. If you have any mental disorder, you can share symptoms that may be similar to other hypertension and high blood pressure issues. This is because it may interfere, and you can not wholly use the drug for all the major issues at one time.

Precautions

Take the following precautions when using clonidine: 

• Limit the intake of alcohol as it can lead to interaction. 

• Avoid dehydration and overheating during hot weather or intense exercises as it can lead to dizziness or fainting.

• Sometimes, you may develop a rash, hives, or other allergic reactions while using the clonidine patches. So, if you have been allergic to any medicinal uses of clonidine, consult the doctor for the proper use.

• Always tell the doctor about your medical history or any major issues like kidney problems, heart rhythm problems, or any body part pain. These factors can worsen the side effects of clonidine. 

• Clonidine can lead to eye dryness. So, if you use a contact lens, this drug can create a problem. So, discuss it with providers first. 

• It can also lead to mouth dryness. So, if dryness lasts for 2 or more weeks, seek medical attention.

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding your child, you should consult the doctor for its proper use.

Can You Overdose on Clonidine?

Yes, you can overdose on clonidine when you consume it in excessive amounts. If you find you take too much dosage than recommended, call 911, an emergency number as soon as possible. You can also contact 1-800-222-1222, a poison helpline. You should seek medical attention without any delay if you develop overdose symptoms.

The following are the symptoms of Catapres overdose:

• Fainting

• Difficulty breathing

• Shivering

• Slow heart rate

• Slurred speech

• Drowsiness

• Cold and pale skin

• Confusion

• Weakness

• Pinpoint pupils

Alternative Treatments for Anxiety

You can consider some medication and non-medication approaches.

• Medication approaches: These include antidepressants such as serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors. These drugs can help with the long-term management of anxiety symptoms. In addition, you can take anti-anxiety drugs like benzodiazepines which can treat panic attacks and anxiety. It is recommended to use them around the time of anxiety. Make sure to use the dose as prescribed as they can lead to addiction issues.

• Non-medication approaches: You can manage your stress and the triggers that lead to stress with effective techniques. Those include meditation, exercises, or yoga. You can also consider cognitive behavioral therapy which helps change the way you think and take stress. Moreover, you can get help from support groups as they assist in learning methods to cope with anxiety. They give ideas on how to deal with stressful situations and make you feel connected.

Final Thoughts

Using Clonidine for anxiety can benefit you a lot by preventing symptoms of anxiety. It takes 4 to 8 weeks to show its full effects. However, some people end up with addiction and overdose issues. This can lead to several side effects such as fatigue, nausea, vomiting, weakness, difficulty breathing, and more. Also, the medicine may react with other doses like blood pressure medications, beta-blockers, sleeping pills, or other drugs. Therefore, you must ensure the correct medicine use while having the correct understanding and proper consultation with your doctor.

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