Clonidine
Pharmaceutical drug / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Clonidine, sold under the brand name Catapres among others, is an α2A-adrenergic agonist[10] medication used to treat high blood pressure, ADHD, drug withdrawal (alcohol, opioids, or nicotine), menopausal flushing, diarrhea, spasticity, and certain pain conditions.[11] The drug is often prescribed off-label for tics. It is used orally (by mouth), by injection, or as a transdermal skin patch.[11] Onset of action is typically within an hour with the effects on blood pressure lasting for up to eight hours.[11]
Common side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, headaches, hypotension, and sleepiness.[11] Severe side effects may include hallucinations, heart arrhythmias, and confusion.[12] If rapidly stopped, withdrawal effects may occur.[11] Use during pregnancy or breastfeeding is not recommended.[12] Clonidine lowers blood pressure by stimulating α2 receptors in the brain, which results in relaxation of many arteries.[11]
Clonidine was patented in 1961 and came into medical use in 1966.[13][14][15] It is available as a generic medication.[11] In 2021, it was the 80th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 8 million prescriptions.[16][17]