Medication that Treats High Blood Pressure, Anxiety and Tic Disorder

Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. In this disease, one has to suffer from the persistent high pressure of blood in the arteries. There is no primary symptom of high blood pressure. But continuous high blood pressure may cause many other problems or disease. This includes heart failure, stroke and many more.

Clonidine is a medicine, used to treat high blood pressure and other related disorders. It has been in clinical use for over 40 years.

 How does Clonidine works?

Clonidine belongs to the class of medication called as alpha-agonist hypotensive agent. It works as an adrenergic alpha-2- agonist and shows antihypertensive activity.

It stimulates the alpha-2 receptors there are located throughout the brain and spinal cord. It is also located in other organs like kidney, lungs etc. The stimulation causes signals to send that keep blood vessel relaxed. This allows lowering the B.P. Signals are sent to other parts of the brain. This prevents release of certain chemicals (a hormone) that increases heart rate and blood pressure. It also helps to decrease the B.P throughout the body.

It stimulates the alpha receptors on the spinal cord. This helps to block the feeling sensation in the spinal cord and continue through the nerves that branch off from the spinal cord. Due to this, the pain cannot be detected. For this reason, it is also used to treat to relieve your pain in a migraine.

How to take Clonidine?

Clonidine is available in the form of tablets of strength 100 mcg (0.1 mg).

Dosage:-

 Initial Dose– 0.1 to 0.2 mg 1 day. Then increase by 0.1 mg after 1-2 weeks interval as tolerated by the patient. Consult your doctor for more information.

Children:- < 18 years old – safety and efficacy not established for this age group.

Maximum Dose :- 0.2 to 0.6 mg in divided doses.

Older patients– lower doses are recommended.

Comments:-

You can take medicine with or without food orally. For higher dose take it at bedtime. Your Doctor may increase or adjust your dose as per tolerability.

What are the uses of Clonidine?

Clonidine treats;

• High blood pressure.
• Anxiety disorder.
• Tic disorder.
• Withdrawal from alcohol or smoking.
• A migraine.
• Menopausal flushing.
• Restless legs syndrome.
• Treatment for diabetic neuropathy.
• Several off-label uses include treatment for Psychiatric disorder like
• Sleep disorders.
• Clonidine is mild sedative. So it can be used as premedication before surgery.
• Other extensive studies show its use for pain during heart attack & postoperative pain.

What is the Precaution in taking Clonidine?

• It is important to consider certain conditions. Inform or ask your Doctor if you are/ have.
• any kind of surgery.
• Allergy to clonidine or other ingredients in it.
• Children younger than 6 years of age.
• Coronary insufficiency.
• Heart-related disease.
• Kidney disease.
• Low blood pressure.
• Avoid food high in sodium (salt).
• It will control and not cure the high BP. So continue to use the medicine.

Cost of Clonidine (Generic & Brand).

Both Generic & Brand Version are same effective. They contain the same basic active ingredient. The cost of Generic medicine is cheaper than Brand ones. We save amount on marketing and advertising the brand. This is converted as benefit to our customers.

Cost of Generic Clonidine.

Pack of 90 tabs of 1000 mcg costs $ 29.99, per unit cost is $ 0.3.

 Cost of Brand Catapres.

Pack of 60 tablets of 0.1 mg costs $ 160.31, per unit cost is $ 2.67.