Clonidine contraindications

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Contraindications

Clonidine hydrochloride tablets should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to Clonidine.

Warnings for Withdrawal

Patients should be instructed not to discontinue therapy without consulting their physician. Sudden cessation of Clonidine treatment has, in some cases, resulted in symptoms such as nervousness, agitation, headache, and tremor accompanied or followed by a rapid rise in blood pressure and elevated catecholamine concentrations in the plasma.

The likelihood of such reactions to discontinuation of Clonidine therapy appears to be greater after administration of higher doses or continuation of concomitant beta-blocker treatment and special caution is therefore advised in these situations. Rare instances of hypertensive encephalopathy, cerebrovascular accidents and death have been reported after Clonidine withdrawal.

When discontinuing therapy with Clonidine hydrochloride, the physician should reduce the dose gradually over 2 to 4 days to avoid withdrawal symptomatology.

An excessive rise in blood pressure following discontinuation of Clonidine therapy can be reversed by administration of oral Clonidine hydrochloride or by intravenous phentolamine. If therapy is to be discontinued in patients receiving a beta-blocker and Clonidine concurrently, the beta-blocker should be withdrawn several days before the gradual discontinuation of Clonidine.

Because children commonly have gastrointestinal illnesses that lead to vomiting, they may be particularly susceptible to hypertensive episodes resulting from abrupt inability to take medication.

Adapted from the FDA Package Insert.