Constipation clonidine

The most common clonidine side effects are dry mouth, dizziness, sedation, and constipation. Blood pressure should be monitored. 

The most common side effects of clonidine are constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dryness of mouth, and unusual tiredness or weakness. However, there are more severe side effects that clinicians and patients should be aware of, such as allergic reaction, decreased heart rate, or unusually elevated or decreased blood pressure, as well as contraindications and drug interactions that should be evaluated prior to prescription. 

It is estimated that about 7% of patients receiving clonidine discontinue the drug because of side effects. Although the symptoms are generally mild and tend to subside if therapy is continued for several weeks, as many as 50% of the patients complain of drowsiness and dryness of mouth. Other untoward effects include constipation, nausea or gastric upset, and impotence. These effects are characteristic of interference with the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system. 

Constipation is frequent with clonidine, and one case of pseudo-obstruction of the bowel has been reported (19). 

Side effects of clonidine therapy include dry mouth, drowsiness, sedation, and constipation. Abrupt discontinuation of therapy may result in a withdrawal syndrome manifested as restless and headache in addition to significant rebound hypertension. Withdrawal can be avoided by tapering therapy over 2-4 days. The incidence of a local dermatitis or an extended dermal reaction with use of the transdermal patch is 15-20%. 

For clonidine and guanfacine the most common adverse effect is sedation. Fortunately, tolerance usually develops to this effect over days to weeks. The most potentially serious side effects are cardiovascular (see the ADHD section). Other 2-agonist side effects include dry mouth, constipation, headache, mood changes, and even a temporary worsening of tics in 10% of patients. 

Catapres clonidine antihypertensive ADHD, Tourette s syndrome sedation, headache, nausea, dry mouth, constipation... 

Clonidine (Catapres) Acts in brain as postsynaptic a2-adrenergic agonist causing a reduction in sympathetic nervous system activity (decreased heart rate, cardiac ouput and blood pressure). Exact mechanism unknown. Mild to moderate hypertension. Rash, drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, headache, impaired ejaculation. Rebound hypertension if withdrawn abruptly. To limit toxicity, start with low dose and increase slowly. 

An advantage of clonidine is the absence of orthostatic hypotension, but like a-methyldopa and reserpine it may cause drowsiness, and marked sedation occurs in up to 50% of patients treated in some series. Sedation can be so severe as to proceed to semi-consciousness. Nightmares and delusions are another expression of the drug s influence upon the central nervous system. Apart from sedation, the complaint of dry mouth and nose is the most common side effect recorded with clonidine administration. Dizziness, headache and fatigue are frequently mentioned, as well as anorexia, nausea, constipation and even pseudo-obstruction (94 ), anxiety, depression, drug fever and rashes. Side effects occur in 50—70% of the patients treated and are in some 20% the reason for discontinuation of therapy (3 , 13, 83 ). 

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