Clonidine is typically a high blood pressure medication. It acts to lower blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood, allowing your blood vessels to relax and your heart to beat more easily.
Researchers at the New Jersey Medical School looked at over twenty years of studies and concluded clonidine could be effective in treatment of certain patients with ADHD, especially those who also had motor tics or Tourette's syndrome.
How exactly a high blood pressure medication acts to alleviate symptoms of ADHD is uncertain. It is believed clonidine may correct the activity of certain receptors in the brain. This would help alleviate symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness. If you or your child has inattentive ADHD type, clonidine may not be your best option.
Clonidine is typically the third line of treatment for ADHD symptoms. As it is not considered as effective as stimulant medications or antidepressants, clonidine is typically not prescribed for treating ADHD. However, if a patient has been having unmanageable adverse reactions to stimulants or antidepressants, clonidine may be prescribed. The use of clonidine over stimulant drugs may reduce side effects like mood changes, irritability, anorexia and appetite loss.
Side Effects
Clonidine has it's own side effects. These may include headache, fatigue, low blood pressure and slowed heart rate. In rare incidents where patients had other risk factors, heart problems, including death were noted. The New Jersey Medical School noted that clonidine can work well on their own or combined with stimulant medications.
Clonidine and Tourettes's Syndrome
In a study published in 2013, clonidine was found to be the more valid option for patients who had both ADHD and motor tics or Tourette's Syndrome.
These researchers looked at studies published from 1990-2012. Of the three listed medication types, alpha-agonists such as clonidine were found to be the most effective treatment option. The study also listed stimulants and atomoxetine as effective.
In patients with tics or Tourette's syndrome, leading stimulant drugs such as Ritalin can amplify their symptoms. As clonidine is not a stimulant and does not work in the same way, it does not have this amplifying effect.
Dosage
Clonidine is available as a patch or tablet. You or your child will likely start out on the lowest dose and work your way up from there with your doctor's guidance. This ensures you are taking the least amount of medication necessary for your symptoms. When a maintenance dose is found, you or your child will typically be prescribed a patch which stays on the skin. The patch needs to be changed every 3-5 days for children and 7 days for adults. Improvement in ADHD symptoms is typically seen in two to three weeks.
While it is not the typical first line treatment, Clonidine treats ADHD symptoms in some cases. As with any medication, talk with your doctor, detailing your medical history to avoid possible interactions. If you or your child have been experiencing adverse reactions to stimulant medications or antidepressants used for ADHD, clonidine may be a viable option for treating the symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsiveness.
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Brian Wu graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology and Neurobiology. Currently, he holds a PhD and is an MD candidate (KSOM, USC) in integrative biology and disease. He is also an experienced writer and editor for many prestigious web pages. Brian values the ability of all ages to learn from the power of stories. His mission is to write about health conditions, educational topics and life situations in an entertaining way in order to help children understand their own life conditions and daily circumstances.