Clonidine and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Bet...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 20, 2014

For Tourette's Syndrome "My son was having severe motor and vocal tics (30 per minute). It was horribly scary for us all. He already had been diagnosed with ADHD and was taking guanfacine. Upping the guanfacine dose did not help so they prescribed clonidine for the tics. At first, it seemed not to work at all, although it did help him sleep because he could not sleep due to the tics. But the MD upped the dose, and we waited for the meds to kick in (can take 2-4 weeks!). His tics have almost completely stopped! He is back in school and back to a normal life thanks to God and clonidine. I recommend giving this medicine time to work. ALSO, it still makes him very sleepy for about 2-3 hours after each dose. We manage this by dosing him at times when he could sleep after."

• Tsp...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 24, 2017

For Opiate Withdrawal "I started taking Norco 10/325 after ulnar nerve surgery in 2006. It went from 5 a day to 15-20 just to function for the last 6 months. I started taking 6 30mg Oxy. I tried Suboxone, but that was equally addictive, and I went right back to pills. On my 2nd day of detox, I needed help. The doctor put me on clonidine, I'm on my 4th day with no withdrawal symptoms and trazodone for sleep. Clonidine does make you a little groggy, but it does work. Good luck to all those in detox or thinking about it."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2016

For Anxiety "Was having a very bad moment (anxiety attack). Very shallow breath, tight chest, fast heartbeat...just could not relax. Took 0.1 mg and felt a difference in about 20 minutes and much better within an hour. The chest tension was about 90% gone and I could finally relax. Only downfall is that it makes me drowsy!"

• Fai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2016

For Opiate Withdrawal "As a functioning addict, I recently entered a detox program for a 10-year 110mg Methadone nightly alcohol (wine, 1-2 liters), habit, and 8-month Dimenhydrinate (Gravol) 750mg spread daily addiction. On day 6, haven't slept a wink for 5 days. I was initially prescribed 80mg Morphine Sulfate 4 doses per day but was switched on day 2 to Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) 24mg for Methadone, Ativan for the first 3 days for alcohol, Seroquel 12.5mg for insomnia, which was a disaster, made me extremely groggy, increased RLS, and made me feel like I was wearing concrete blocks on my feet, so was finally given 0.4mg Clonidine, a welcome relief of RSL and insomnia (2 thumbs to the sky!!). Clonidine was the difference. Highly recommend! On my way to a drug-free life (woohoo!). Good luck."

• pha...
• July 20, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "Very effective, but has caused extreme drowsiness along with fluid retention. The drowsiness can be extreme in the morning and will require an hour nap. Lack of coordination and inability to think clearly and stay awake at times. Some shortness of breath at times."

• Ene...
• September 25, 2017

For Insomnia, Stimulant-Associated "My daughter was using melatonin for many years to help her fall asleep due to ADHD issues. But recently it stopped working, and she was up for three nights straight. Her doctor prescribed clonidine, and it has been wonderful. She is no longer drowsy during the day and is doing better in school and falls asleep at night within 1/2 hour after taking the clonidine."

• mmc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 18, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I have used probably 12 or 13 different blood pressure medications in the last 20 years. Clonidine lowers your blood pressure now. After 2 doses, my blood pressure is 109/70. For me, the sedation is here and there, not every day. Has a good calming effect."

• Shm...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2017

For Opiate Withdrawal "I was shocked having been through awful withdrawals before how much of a difference it was. I was easily taking 100 mg/day of oxy. I tapered down too fast in 5 days to 15 mg then was out. Couldn't get subs because I was also taking Xanax. Clonidine is very underestimated. I took it after my last dose of oxy and at 24/48 hours, I was groggy and weak but no stomach cramping, muscle tension, or nausea. It took a few days, but today on day 3, I'm just fatigued. Still no withdrawal. Doesn't stop cravings and renders me lazy as hell but better than full withdrawal."

• mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 15, 2022

For Anxiety "This is one of the greatest meds of all time - for agitation, anxiety, bipolar, paranoia, opioid withdrawal, psychosis, restlessness, hypertension - it's not addictive, nor a benzo. The only downside is some drowsiness."

• Cho...
• November 2, 2013

For Opiate Withdrawal "On day 2 of the clonidine patch haven't had a pill in 16 hours and going strong. So far this has been a godsend no RLS, usually I get 6 hours after my last dose of Perc. I feel groggy but am eating and lightly sleeping and no cravings. Note: I was taking 140mg of Perc daily for two years, did a quick 7-day taper, to yesterday. I went insane all week, then my PM doctor gave me the patch, and it is like night and day."

• Jan...
• May 17, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I was taking Amlodipine for high blood pressure (about 160/85). I had to stop taking it because I could get diarrhea 10 minutes after being constipated. My vision was blurry. My PCP prescribed 0.1 mg twice a day. The medicine hardly made a change, so my PCP increased it to two pills twice a day: no change at all. The side effects were horrible: a desert-dry mouth, fatigue, sleepiness, assorted muscle pains, a limp in my right leg. I stopped taking it, and within 24 hours, those symptoms disappeared."

• Mat...
• October 26, 2015

For Anxiety "Clonidine is a drug that produces many obvious physical and psychological effects, the most obvious being marked drowsiness. It supposedly works to fight anxiety by interfering with the chemicals responsible for those horrible, anxious feelings, pounding heartbeat, and fear reactions. To that end, it works very well. It's hard to say whether or not it has a large effect on experiencing anxiety overall, however."

• Jer...
• March 28, 2017

For Opiate Withdrawal "Works, but has to be dosed correctly. There is little else that will help like this wonderful drug. DO NOT USE OTHER OPIOIDS AS YOU WILL ONLY TRANSFER YOUR DEPENDENCY. AVOID KRATOM, SUBOXONE, METHADONE AS YOU WILL JUST BECOME DEPENDENT ON THEM. The clonidine needs to be high enough to become slightly sedating. But at this level, it blocks the negative effects of the withdrawal. To be done right, you need to be monitored by a health professional, especially due to BP. I would recommend checking your BP 4-5 times daily (or have someone else do it) and report to your doctor. If you think it does not work, your dose is not high enough. Some require 0.2 mg every 4-6 hours. Watch BP closely."

• Com...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2016

For Opiate Withdrawal "So in the UK, you can get clonidine, but not for opiate withdrawal. It's not even known about by my estimation by 90-95% of users, clinics, doctors. The alternative is Lofexidine, but to obtain this for a home detox is almost impossible. So after research, clonidine is marketed as symptomatic treatment of the female menopause, thus meaning you can obtain it legally via online pharmacy facilities where you complete an online consultation, then the meds are prescribed if you fit the criteria. Seriously, this medication is an absolute godsend. I don't say this lightly, but if you get the dosage correct, you will get 100% pain-free withdrawal. You will be extremely drowsy and lethargic, watch your BP."

• Bec...
• March 20, 2011

Clonidine for ADHD "I started my son on this medicine on Friday. He is doing well. No emotional breakdowns, no crying. The only issue I am having is he is falling asleep around noon every day. He hasn't had a nap since he was 16 months old. He is 7, going on 8. I can't imagine his teacher will be all that amused when he goes to sleep during class tomorrow."

• Pri...
• May 27, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I do not respond well to drugs and need the highest dose possible; e.g., I have taken Amitriptyline 100 mg plus Clonazepam 2 mg for sleep for years and still am not a good sleeper. Clonidine was added to my blood pressure regimen (Lisinopril 40, Atenolol 100, Amlodipine 10) when I continued to have erratic blood pressure and frequent TIAs. When my blood pressure is high, it is my go-to drug because it works. And I got a couple of side benefits. It has a calming, sedating effect on me and, added to my other sleeping meds, really helps me get quality sleep. And then, I discovered that it helped when I was having a severe flashback (I also have PTSD and other dissociative symptoms, including fugues). It has been a wonder drug for me."

• Wor...
• March 15, 2016

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "I am 52, and when I finally started taking it faithfully every night and not skipping nights because of the side effect of drowsiness, I have no hot flashes anymore. My doctor wrote for me to take 1 to 2 tabs before bedtime, and I take 1 and 1/2 at night. I occasionally may have some mild warmth, but no embarrassingly breaking out in heavy sweating about 20 to 30 times a day like before, or every 20 minutes or so like I was sweating before. I started taking it as prescribed about 3 weeks ago with no skipping around on taking it. I also was prescribed Mimvey Lo and Effexor for the hot flashes, but I truly saw a big decrease in the flashes when I started taking the clonidine faithfully and as prescribed."

• She...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 17, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking clonidine for over a month for anxiety, but the psychiatrist said it can help my hypertension as well. So I went ahead and tried it, and after a few days of taking a small quarter to half of the 0.1 mg, I was able to go to half, which I am very proud of because I have severe anxiety when it comes to taking meds! Anyway, I had 3 blood pressure scares in a 2-month time that led me to my P.C. and 5 HBP meds later (2 in which had me in the ER for an allergic reaction). It is safe to say that this medication has been a huge blessing to me for anxiety and hypertension. My numbers for blood pressure are still higher than I'd like, but have gone down several points in 2-4 weeks. I am fairly okay with this one! A little drowsiness and dizziness, but I can get used to that! Give it a try!"

• Mom...
• August 30, 2019

For Insomnia, Stimulant-Associated "My son, who is living with autism, was prescribed clonidine for insomnia. At first, it seemed to work (going to sleep before 3 a.m. was a success), but it seemed that within two hours of taking this medication, he became obsessive and had compulsive thoughts. For example, he would be at a park on the swings at 2 a.m. because he was that fixated. We stopped him from the 0.2 clonidine daily, and he is taking 5 mg of melatonin. He is sleeping much better, still groggy though, and his obsessiveness has declined. Best of luck, everyone."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 12, 2019

For Tourette's Syndrome "My son began trying this medication for his Tourette's at 8. He has mild Tourette's. This medication, .1 mcg, puts him to sleep for at least 12 hours. Sure, he stops having tics, but is out like a light. He's 14 now and just endures his tics, and he hasn't taken his clonidine in probably 2 years. Hoping he grows out of it, but will consider CBDs in the future. Best of luck and best wishes to everyone who is suffering out there. I'm pulling for you."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 11, 2016

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "Having had months of sleepless nights with night sweats, the first time I took this, the best sleep ever, and over the last few days, the same. The impact that has had on me, being able to do things as a single mum and business owner, is phenomenal... mojo is definitely back. I have experienced the drowsiness some experience, where your eyes can hardly open, but was pre-warned and changed things around for that. Finally, glad to get a good night's sleep after months without one!"

• Gab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2020

For Anxiety "I hate taking this medication, it makes me extremely sick. I also get extremely groggy, weak feelings, fatigue, mood swings, and anxiety. I do not recommend it for anyone unless you're having trouble sleeping."

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 26, 2021

For Anxiety "Take 0.1 mg Clonidine for anxiety when I am feeling anxious. It does not totally take the anxiety away, but makes it more tolerable. Not my first go-to for anxiety. I use Clonidine or Gabapentin to avoid taking too much Ativan. Side effects are pronounced daytime drowsiness and fatigue. Oddly, if I take it at night, my sleep is horrible."

• phe...
• February 7, 2011

Clonidine for ADHD "My 6-year-old son was diagnosed with ADHD last year. I saw signs during the preschool years as he was kicked out of three schools. This has been a trying year as we started him on Concerta, Focalin 2.5, and Focalin ER. Intuniv: Although the stimulants were great and we saw the benefits, it was difficult for me to see the negative side effects (tics and meltdown). I had mentioned to my doctor a month ago about Clonidine to reduce side effects of stimulants. She declined as she was uncomfortable with providing adult medication to children. However, she contacted me about Kapvay, which has been wonderful. Day 6 and a bit sleepy, unlike Intuniv (sedated). I will keep you up to date."

• Flo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 28, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Been taking it on and off because I have high blood pressure. However, I am a college student and I suffered from severe drowsiness during the day. I was prescribed 0.1 mg at night. I slept well, but during class, I was so sleepy I found it difficult to stay alert. I stopped taking it, and currently, I am on break from school. I restarted the clonidine, and I was hoping I would get used to it, but I still feel drowsy during the day. On the other hand, my blood pressure has still been high, it's been 4 weeks, and I am taking it religiously. I plan to discuss this with my doctor on my next office visit. I am afraid that she is going to increase my dose. I can only imagine how much more drowsiness I am going to feel on a higher dose :("