Clonidine and Drowsiness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Ira...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 7, 2022

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "Initially just took this as-needed for hot flashes (maybe ½ of a 0.1 mg pill twice a week), but things turned awful after I started taking it twice a day every day. After the first week and a half of that, I started noticing increased gas, nausea, headaches, low appetite, a general heaviness feeling of my whole body... then, a week after that came the awfully vivid dreams, sleeplessness, heightened anxiety, and irritability. I thought I was actually sick from something, but then realized it's from the consistent use of this medication. Will only take it from now on if I absolutely need it! Otherwise, it's staying in the back of my medicine cabinet."

• Den...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 27, 2022

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "I have been on Estalis patches 250/50 for around 8 years. The only menopause symptoms I have now are the hot flushes. These occur mostly during the day and can last for an hour or more. I am literally glowing in the dark. My GP has kept me on the Estalis but has prescribed me 100 mcg Clonidine twice a day to help with the flushes. I have been so drowsy since starting them and struggle to make it through the day without needing a nap. I have today started cutting the tablets in half, so half morning and half night. Fingers crossed, this is an adequate amount. Just wondering do I stay on the hormone patches or try and wean off."

• ash...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 4, 2022

"I feel lucky that right now I have my first doctor to ask, “Have you ever tried something for PTSD?” I didn’t even know that was an option. I tried Minipress at first, but I have POTS, and it made those symptoms too severe to handle. Clonidine is much better, and I haven’t had an issue with that as long as I’m careful getting up after I take it. Clonidine for PTSD and nightmares is a breath of fresh air. It’s pretty benign physically, and at first, it felt a little goofy, but I got used to it quickly. I have some nightmares still, but since I've titrated up to 0.2 mg/night, it’s reduced my feelings of dread and flashbacks during the day to a surprising extent. Nothing has ever done this for me. The drawbacks for me are that I feel groggy waking up in the morning (only for 30 minutes to 1 hour). Another thing is that I can’t take it during the day because it makes me too sleepy and I forget my whole day. Still, though, taking it at night has helped me a lot during the day in ways that I didn’t realize were possible."

• jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2016

For Insomnia, Stimulant-Associated "I'm 18 years old and I've only recently been put on this medication as I don't sleep. I have BPD (borderline personality disorder), and I hear and see things and also have depression. I started with 10 mg, but I was still up all night, laughing, mucking around. But it was like I was stoned. My eyes were even red and puffy. I was drowsy and had dizzy moments. So now I'm on 20 mg as it was doing nothing. Again, I've only recently been put on it, so it might not have kicked in yet. But I'm still up all night, get to sleep at about 5 in the morning, and have a few hours' nap. Medication works differently with different people. But my brother has been on it for ADHD, and it worked for him. So maybe I just have to give it some time. Just need to be patient."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 11, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking clonidine for at least 7 years and still have sedative side effects at the dose of 0.2 mg twice a day."

• DPD...
• May 20, 2016

For Anxiety "Works great for anxiety, it does cause sedation, but is highly effective for keeping the anxiety at bay."

• Cha...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 13, 2021

For Pain "Clonidine will help lower blood pressure and cause sedation of the CNS (central nervous system), helping to reduce pain without opiates."

• Lex...
• November 9, 2014

For Tourette's Syndrome "This helped me cope and treat my Tourette's throughout my childhood. I do rate it a 9 due to it causing drowsiness, and now I am 17 and can't sleep without it."

• bow...
• September 9, 2009

For Opiate Withdrawal "I took this medication for 1 week while I was detoxing from methadone. It did not help with the withdrawals. It just made me a little drowsy."

• Flo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2014

For Opiate Withdrawal "Gave me dry mouth. Made me lightheaded and groggy. Made urination frequent and painful. Made me feel like I would pass out when rising from sitting or lying down. Left me dehydrated."