LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Clonidine
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Clonidine was initially developed as a topical nasal decongestant in 1962. Subsequently, it was found to have significant sympatholytic effects and was marketed as an anti-hypertensive. Clonidine is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for essential hypertension and cancer pain, but has been used successfully in a variety of other conditions. Alternative uses in adults include detoxification of opiate dependence, alcohol withdrawal, alleviation of postmenopausal hot flashes and epidural anesthesia for cesarean section.2,6 Off-label uses in children include the management of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Tourette syndrome. Clonidine exposure is responsible for more than 5000 poisonings per year and is notable for serious signs and symptoms following exposure.22,23 Children are especially susceptible to the toxic effects of clonidine; as little as one 0.1-mg tablet has the potential to cause significant signs and symptoms.1 Clonidine is being prescribed with increasing frequency for the treatment of ADHD in children. This medication is not available as a suspension; therefore, prescriptions for young children must be compounded.
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Clonidine is beneficial in opiate withdrawal because it treats symptoms that are commonly associated with that condition (watery eyes and nose, diarrhea, irritability). For this condition, clonidine is often used alone. For the treatment of alcohol withdrawal, clonidine is usually combined with benzodiazepine tranquilizers such as Librium, Valium, Xanax, or Ativan.
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Clonidine is delivered as Clonidinehydrochloride and is an imidazoine derivative and a mesomeric compound. It’s Chemical name is 2-(2,6-dichloro phenylamino)-2-imidazoline hydrochloride. It is a crystalline compound which is soluble in water, alcohol and lipids. When administered clonidine is transported by lipids by bonding to albumin and has a volume distribution of 2.1± 0.4L/kg. About 50% of the oral dose is metabolised by minor pathways in the liver.
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Clonidine is available by prescription only in pill or patch form. Use of clonidine for treating hot flashes is an unlabeled use, although it is considered a reasonable treatment option by health professionals and is supported by limited research.
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Clonidine is given continuously as an epidural infusion (run around the spinal cord) using an infusion pump. The pump and its tube should be checked regularly to make sure the clonidine flow has not stopped accidentally. The injection or catheter site should ... be checked regularly for signs of infection.
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Clonidine administered subcutaneously (SC) dose-dependently reverses the conditioned place aversion produced by naloxone-precipitated (7.5 g/kg SC) opiate withdrawal. A significant place aversion (*p < .05 with Bonferroni correction) was seen in vehicle-treated controls and in groups receiving the two lowest doses of clonidine (6.25-12.5 g/kg). However, at doses of 25 g/kg clonidine and higher, the difference in time spent in the naloxone-paired compartment preconditioning and postconditioning was no longer significant
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Clonidine