"Clonidine" is a potent antihypertensive drug. It is used to lower blood pressure and reduce heart rate. Many older people are familiar with a drug called Clonidine. It is often prescribed for patients with hypertension. In addition, clonidine drops are also used in ophthalmic practice. The instructions for use recommend that this be done only as directed by the doctor, since the drug has contraindications and many side effects. But it is often used, especially in a hospital for the treatment of hypertensive crises and in other emergency situations. If this medicine is prescribed by a doctor for outpatient treatment, then instructions for use are mandatory for studying before taking Clonidine.
Description of the drug
It belongs to the group of imidazoline derivatives. This substance stimulates alpha adrenergic receptors and has hypotensive and sedative effects. Its action is aimed at the sympathetic division of the peripheral nervous system and the vasomotor center in the medulla oblongata. When it is taken, the production of hormones norepinephrine and adrenaline is reduced. The drug is rapidly absorbed, and the effect is observed within half an hour after ingestion. It is quite active even with minimal dosages, it starts to act in half an hour, and the effect lasts up to 12 hours. It is excreted mainly by the kidneys and partially by the intestines.
How does clonidine work?
- Reduces heart rate.
- Increases vascular tone of the brain.
- Increases renal and cerebral blood flow.
- It has a strong sedative, and in large doses, a hypnotic effect.
- Eliminates the feeling of fear.
- Reduces arterial and intraocular pressure.
When is the drug used?
Clonidine may be used only as directed by a physician. Instructions for use recommend this in emergency cases to reduce pressure. In what diseases is this medicine prescribed?
- With arterial hypertension.
- Hypertensive crisis.
- Open angle glaucoma.
Sometimes the drug is prescribed for complex therapy in other conditions:
- headaches of a vascular nature;
- for the treatment of vasomotor symptoms during menopause;
- for the relief of withdrawal symptoms in alcoholism.
"Clonidine" in ophthalmology
After the introduction of drops into the conjunctival sac , the formation of intraocular fluid decreases and its outflow improves. This helps to reduce intraocular pressure, which is necessary in the treatment of glaucoma. Therapy is started with a 0.25% solution, instilled drop by drop into each eye 2-4 times a day. But in the absence of effect, the use of 0.5% Clonidine is possible.
When instilled into the eyes, there may be side effects: dryness, a foreign body sensation, burning, swelling, and even conjunctivitis. In this case, they either cancel the drug, or switch to a less concentrated solution. But in any case, therapy is carried out under the supervision of a physician. So that the procedure does not cause systemic side effects, for example, a strong decrease in pressure, after instillation, it is necessary to press the area of the lacrimal sac with your fingers for a couple of minutes. You should also know that during treatment it is undesirable to use contact lenses, since less intraocular fluid is produced at this time and side effects may develop. Instillation of the drug into the eyes is also contraindicated in the presence of infectious and inflammatory diseases.
"Clonidine": instructions for use
The form of the drug is a solution for injection and tablets. The features of the application depend on the form in which it is used. Dosage should be set strictly individually.
1. In urgent cases, if necessary, quickly reduce the pressure is administered intramuscularly or intravenously "Clonidine". Instructions for use in ampoules do not recommend its use more than 150 mcg at a time.
2. In ophthalmology, a 0.25% solution of the drug is used. It is buried in the eyes with open-angle glaucoma up to 4 times a day.
3. For outpatient treatment, orally "Clonidine" is used. Instructions for use of the tablet recommends drinking three times a day, and increase the dose gradually. Maximum per day, you can take no more than 2.4 mg of the drug. The course of treatment is usually 1-2 months.
Contraindications to its reception
There are many diseases in which you can not drink "Clonidine." Instructions for use prohibit its use in such cases:
- with hypotension;
- severe cerebral arteriosclerosis;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- sinus bradycardia;
- pregnancy and lactation.
In some cases, therapy is possible only under the supervision of a doctor:
- with myocardial infarction;
- diabetes mellitus;
- depression;
- chronic heart failure;
- severe violations of the liver and kidneys;
- withdrawal symptoms in drug addicts.
What causes side effects?
- Drowsiness, slow reaction, depression and weakness.
- A strong decrease in blood pressure.
- Hallucinations, anxiety and dizziness.
- Decreased appetite, nausea, constipation, dry mouth.
- Impaired liver function.
- Allergic reactions.
- Swelling and nasal congestion.
What you need to know in the treatment of "Clonidine"?
- With a sharp withdrawal of the drug, an increase in pressure, a rapid heartbeat, headache and anxiety are possible. Therefore, discontinue therapy should be gradually, during the week, reducing the dose.
- Intravenous use of the drug is rarely used, because with rapid administration, a sharp increase in pressure is possible.
- If there is no effect after two days of administration, therapy should be canceled.
- It is forbidden to take alcoholic beverages during treatment.
- When taking Clonidine together with calcium channel blockers or digitalis glycosides, you need to control your heart rate.
- During treatment, it is not recommended to engage in activities related to increased concentration of attention, such as driving a car.
- With caution, you need to approach the joint intake of several drugs. "Clonidine" when combined with some drugs can enhance or weaken their effect and even cause unwanted side effects.
- With intravenous and intramuscular administration, care must be taken - do not do this too quickly. In addition, it is necessary to lie down after the procedure for at least an hour.
Analogues of the drug
There are several drugs containing this active substance:
- "Hemiton";
- "Clonidine" in solution and tablets;
- "Catapresan";
- "Barklid";
- "Dixarite";
- "Chlophazoline."
Of these, the most popular is "Clonidine". Its price is low - about 80 rubles, so in hospitals most often use it. After all, the effectiveness of this analogue is the same due to the presence of one active substance.
Treatment Reviews
This medication is only available on prescription. But the patient reviews about him are mostly positive. Especially effective for hypertensive crisis "Clonidine." The instruction for use recommends using it also with high blood pressure, headaches and other vascular disorders. Many patients like its highly pronounced calming effect. Especially often, elderly patients leave positive feedback. Those who have been using the drug for a long time rarely have any side effects, except for dry mouth or nasal congestion. But many doctors do not always prescribe Clonidine. Instructions for use analogues in some cases are considered more appropriate.