High blood pressure is a common condition and when not treated, can cause damage to your brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys and other parts of your body. Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medication, making lifestyle changes will also help to control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet that is low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and using alcohol in moderation.

Clonidine (Clodict) comes as a tablet and an extended-release (long-acting) tablet has to be taken by mouth. The tablet is usually taken twice a day at evenly spaced intervals. The extended-release tablet is usually taken once or twice a day with or without food. Take Clonidine (Clodict) at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Clonidine (Clodict) exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Swallow the extended-release tablets whole; do not split, chew or crush them.

Your doctor may start you on a low dose of Clonidine (Clodict) and gradually increase your dose, not more than once every week.

Clonidine (Clodict) may help to control your condition but will not cure it. Continue taking Clonidine (Clodict) even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Clonidine (Clodict) without talking to your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking Clonidine (Clodict), it can cause a rapid rise in your blood pressure and symptoms such as nervousness, headache, and uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually over 2 to days for the regular tablet and 3 to 7 days for the extended-release tablet.

Clonidine (Clodict) is also used in the treatment of dysmenorrhea (severely painful cramps during menstrual period), hypertensive crisis (a condition in which your blood pressure is very high), Tourette’s syndrome (a condition characterized by the need to perform repeated motions or to repeat sounds or words), menopausal hot flashes, and alcohol and opiate (narcotic) withdrawal. Clonidine (Clodict) is also used and as an aid in smoking cessation therapy and to diagnose pheochromocytoma (a tumor that develops on a gland near the kidneys and may cause high blood pressure and fast heart rate). Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.

Missed Dose

Take that missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.

Side Effects

Clonidine (Clodict) may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

- dry mouth;

- tiredness;

- weakness;

- headache;

- nervousness;

- decreased sexual ability;

- nausea;

- vomiting;

- constipation.

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:

- rash;

- hives;

- swelling of your face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs;

- difficulty swallowing or breathing;

- hoarseness.

Clonidine (Clodict) may cause some other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

All the information given above is a summary. You should visit your doctor, pharmacist or health care provider to get more information about this medicine. Do not share Clonidine (Clodict) with the others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use it for other health conditions. Do not store this medicine with an end term of its storage.