Do all people who have heard about the drug “Clonidine” know that such a medicine provides the human body? Unfortunately not. And this is an excellent tool that can lower blood pressure. The drug has a calming effect on the central nervous system. The medicine "Clonidine" is also able to reduce intraocular pressure. In addition, it reduces the heart rate.
Pharmacological properties of the drug
So, the means of “clonidine”. What is the medicine that gives the body? The drug has strong hypotensive and sedative properties.
He simultaneously has several actions:
- reduces peripheral vascular resistance (including those located in the kidneys);
- lowers intraocular pressure in patients;
- reduces cardiac output.
In some cases, a hypertensive property may be observed before a persistent decrease in pressure. As a rule, its duration is a few minutes.
It is necessary to know for those patients who are prescribed the drug “Klofelin” that such a tool in small doses has the necessary effect. The medicine works quickly. And at the same time a long time. After taking this drug, after a couple of hours, a steady effect is manifested. It lasts about 8 hours.
With the combination of the drug “Clonidine” with certain drugs or alcohol, the antihypertensive effect may intensify or side effects may worsen. Even death can not be ruled out. That is why it is necessary to purchase a drug such as “Clonidine”, a doctor’s prescription. Without it, the drug is not released.
Release Forms
This tool is available in three medicinal forms:
- tablets;
- eye drops;
- solution for iv administration.
Drug use
Clonidine is extremely in demand for stopping a hypertensive crisis in a person. Symptoms that indicate a rise in pressure allow you to eliminate the above-mentioned medicine on time.
Thus, the drug “Clonidine” is prescribed for the following conditions:
- hypertensive crisis;
- arterial hypertension (including kidney pathology);
- pheochromocytoma (for diagnosis);
- acute myocardial infarction (without symptoms of cardiogenic shock);
- dysmenorrhea;
- headaches of a vascular nature;
- withdrawal syndrome in people with drug addiction (in complex therapy);
- nicotine addiction.
It is recommended to use the drug “Clonidine” (drops) for the treatment of open-angle primary glaucoma.
Contraindications
It must be remembered by patients who have been prescribed the drug “Clonidine” that such a medicine is prohibited for use with the following factors:
- hypersensitivity;
- arterial hypotension;
- cardiogenic shock;
- cerebral arteriosclerosis;
- obliterating pathologies of peripheral arteries;
- AV blockade of 2-3 degrees;
- severe sinus bradycardia;
- Depression
- porphyria;
- sick sinus syndrome;
- pregnancy
- lactation;
- hypersensitivity to clonidine;
- inflammatory diseases of the anterior eye (for drops).
The simultaneous administration of the drug with ethanol and other drugs that have a depressing effect on the central nervous system is unacceptable. It is forbidden to use the medicine “Klofelin” and alcohol together!
Dosage of tablets
Before taking the medicine, you should carefully read the instructions. Like any medication, the drug can alleviate the patient's condition. But if used improperly, it can cause serious harm to health. That is why the drug "Clonidine" should be used strictly as prescribed by the doctor and only in the prescribed dosages.
The instruction provides the following recommendations for taking the drug in tablet form:
- They are taken orally, without chewing, after or with food. Drink the pill should be liquid.
- The dosage for each case is selected individually.
- Therapy should be started with a small dose - 2-3 times a day for 0.075 mg.
- If the hypotensive effect is not sufficiently pronounced, the intake of the drug is gradually increased. The dose every 1-2 days increases by 0.0375 mg. Until it reaches 0.15 mg.
- For elderly patients, especially in the presence of cerebral sclerosis , the initial dose is prescribed 0.0375 mg.
The use of the drug in ampoules
For this dosage form, the instruction provides the following recommendations:
- Ampoules are used for intramuscular, subcutaneous or intravenous administration.
- In case of hypertensive crisis, 0.5-1.5 ml of a 0.01% solution is recommended. The introduction is carried out intramuscularly or subcutaneously. If the desired effect is mild, injections are prescribed 3-4 times a day.
- For intravenous administration, 0.5-1.5 ml of a 0.01% preparation is diluted in an isotonic sodium chloride solution - 10-20 ml. The injection is extremely slow.
Use of eye drops
For this drug, the following use is recommended by the instructions:
- In the conjunctival sac instill 2-4 times a day, 1-2 drops.
- Therapy begins with a 0.25% solution. With an insufficient decrease in intraocular pressure, a 0.5% drug is recommended for use.
- If the patient has developed side effects, then he is prescribed a 0.125% solution. And sometimes the drug is completely canceled.
Side effects
In patients, while taking the drug “Clonidine”, quite different reactions can be observed.
- Lymphatic system, blood. Elevated sugar levels may be observed.
- CNS Some patients experience an unpleasant headache, temporary confusion, paresthesia, tremors, hallucinations, increased fatigue, and weakness. Sometimes drowsiness, nervousness, slowing of psychomotor reactions, anxiety, depression, dizziness occur. Patients can see vivid or nightmare dreams. There are known cases of anorexia.
- The cardiovascular system. The drug is able to provoke bradycardia, swelling, Raynaud's syndrome, orthostatic hypotension, AV block.
- Organs of vision. Decreased secretion of the lacrimal glands may be observed.
- Organs of hearing. There is pain discomfort in the parotid gland.
- Respiratory system. The patient may experience nasal congestion. Sometimes there is a respiratory failure.
- Gastrointestinal tract. In this case, the patient's appetite decreases, nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, and constipation occur. There is a decrease in gastric secretion.
- The skin. Itching, alopecia occurs. Sometimes a skin rash appears. Very rarely there is swelling of the mucous membranes.
- Urinary system, kidneys. The body retains fluid. Urination decreases markedly. Retention of sodium and water leads to an increase in body weight.
- Reproductive system. Sexual function is impaired. Potency may be reduced. In men, gynecomastia can develop.
If the patient has such reactions of the body, you should immediately inform the doctor about them. In no case should you independently refuse to take the medicine “Clonidine”. The consequences of a sudden cessation of drug use can be serious. The development of a hypertensive crisis is not excluded.
During the use of drops, adverse reactions may occur in the form of:
- dry conjunctiva;
- burning in the eyes.
The possibility of the manifestation of some of the symptoms described above cannot be ruled out.
Drug Substitutes
Like any other drug, there are analogues of the drug “Clonidine”. Drug substitutes should never be chosen on their own. It is extremely difficult to make accurate selection.
Only a doctor can correctly select substitutes for the medicine “Clonidine”. It will take into account both the form of release and the dosage. Do not forget that a full-fledged analogue of this tool, which does not harm health, is exclusively recommended by a doctor.
So, what to replace "Klofelin"? Doctors give a list of drugs that can become an excellent analogue:
- Apo-Clonidine.
- "Atenzina".
- "Bapresan."
- "Barklide."
- "Hemiton."
- Hyposin.
- "Caprezin".
- Ipotensin.
- "Catapresan."
- Katapres.
- "Clonidine hydrochloride."
- "Clonilon."
- "Clonidine."
- Clonisin.
- Klofelin-M.
- "Normopresan."
- "Namestine."
- "Preskatan."
- Chlornidine.
- "Chlofazolin."
Drug overdose
You should never deviate from the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Since the consequences of such a decision are fraught with serious complications.
An overdose of the drug can manifest itself in symptoms:
- indomitable vomiting;
- drowsiness;
- lethargy;
- hypothermia;
- impaired consciousness;
- xerostomia;
- respiratory depression;
- collapse;
- slowing of atrioventricular conduction is possible;
- increase or decrease in pressure;
- bradycardia;
- miosis (narrowing of the pupils);
- early repolarization syndrome.
If these signs are present, the patient needs symptomatic treatment. It is based on the following recommendations:
- In case of apnea, the patient must enter the drug "Naloxone" intravenously in an amount of 2-4 mg.
- If necessary, then the injection of the above funds is repeated.
- In case of severe overdose with the drug “Clonidine”, pacing is recommended.
- If a patient has bradycardia, Atropine is effective.
- An excellent antidote to the drug “Klofelin” is the medicine “Tolazolinum". The above drug in an amount of 10-50 mg is able to neutralize the effect of taking 0.6 mg of clonidine.
special instructions
In modern medical therapy, the drug “Clonidine” is practically not used. It is not used due to the characteristic sharp decrease in pressure. This effect is short-term. Subsequently, an increase in pressure is observed. This is a hemiton crisis.
The drug is not recommended in case of withdrawal syndrome in patients with drug addiction. It is not prescribed for vasomotor failures on the background of dysmenorrhea and menopause. Undesirable use of the drug in acute myocardial infarction. In such cases, it is better to use imidazoline receptor agonists.
In case of prolonged use of the drug “Clonidine” it is necessary to control intraocular pressure.
The drug is able to enhance the effect of drugs that inhibit the functioning of the central nervous system, ethanol. Diuretics, vasodilators, antihistamines increase the effect of clonidine on the body. Tricyclic antidepressants, anorexigenic drugs, NSAIDs, sympathomimetics weaken the effect of the drug “Clonidine”.
Eye drops are recommended not to be used in combination with antidepressants and antipsychotics.
Conclusion
Use any medication, including the drug “Clonidine”, only after consulting with a doctor. Only an experienced specialist can make a diagnosis, choose an effective therapy. In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, one should not self-medicate. Trust your health to professionals!