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Clonidine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews

Brand names: Catapres, Clonidine ER, Kapvay, Onyda XR, Catapres-TTS, Duraclon, Nexiclon XR

Rating: 7.3

Clonidine has an average rating of 7.3 out of 10 from a total of 9 reviews for the off-label treatment of bipolar disorder. 67% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 22% reported a negative experience.

10
44%
9
22%
8
0%
7
0%
6
11%
5
0%
4
0%
3
0%
2
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1
22%
  • Suz...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 10, 2018

"I'm Bipolar II with complex PTSD. I have horrible insomnia. I am in a hypomanic phase, and I have not been sleeping for about 3 weeks. I took clonidine last night, and within 1/2 hour, I was fast asleep. Slept 8 hours."

10 / 10
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49 Report
  • Rod...
  • October 7, 2016

"Nothing helps with insomnia like clonidine for me. I have bipolar type 2, and since we have a history of drug abuse in my family, I don't want to use benzodiazepines. It really helps me to get to sleep when my mind is racing. The only drawback is that my mouth gets very dry when I use higher dosages. So make sure you brush your teeth! Dry mouth can be detrimental to your oral health. Also, sometimes I wake up early when the dose wears off too soon, but adding a small dose of sedating antihistamine helps with that. I use dosages of 0.075 mg, which is half a pill, and don't have any daytime sedation the day after."

9 / 10
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36 Report
  • Anonymous
  • July 31, 2009

"I have mixed bipolar symptoms and was increasing on the manic side. 1 clonidine and in 15 minutes I had some relief and felt nearly normal. I like that it is an as-needed drug and I don't have to take it every day like my other medicines. The only drawback is that it only lasts 4-6 hours and you have to take it again, but to feel nearly 'normal,' I will do that."

9 / 10
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54 Report
  • Chr...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 22, 2023

"I have bipolar 2 and have been on several medications. With my bipolar, I do not sleep most of the time. After starting this medication, I have been sleeping like a rock and wake up refreshed in the mornings. This has improved my work and my home life."

10 / 10
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6 Report
  • Mau...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 25, 2014

Clonidine "Works great for easing withdrawal symptoms of just about anything. But did not work for my anxiety as it gave me fairly awful side effects, (excessive sweating and horrible nightmares), and I don't often experience any side effects on any medicine. I've since had my doc look elsewhere."

6 / 10
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16 Report

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  • iva...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 3, 2013

Clonidine "I was prescribed this medication along with Valium, Halcion, and Motrin to ease withdrawal symptoms of heroin addiction. It did help while using it, but my situation needed other therapy (methadone maintenance) to overcome my addiction. I do know several people who did benefit from the use of Catapres alone in quitting heroin addiction."

10 / 10
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17 Report
  • Nat...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 24, 2015

"I'm bipolar, and clonidine does absolutely nothing for my bipolar disorder."

1 / 10
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16 Report
  • Cha...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • July 24, 2023

"Clonidine has helped in controlling my bipolar I manic episodes. I find it more effective than using a benzodiazepine."

10 / 10
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3 Report
  • Bri...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 26, 2015

Clonidine "Took clonidine for insomnia (only drug at the time). Proved completely ineffective and caused lightheadedness and dizziness."

1 / 10
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13 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.

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