Clonidine and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 14, 2021

For Anxiety "I was taking it for almost 4 years. I stopped 'cause I was tired of depending on the drug. I was without it for 3 months. I was driving and smoking weed like crazy until I had an episode of breaking things with a bat. I was put on it again, and I am slowly going back to normal thanks to that drug. I went 3 weeks with no sleep until a few days ago. Reading all of these testimonials, I don't feel alone."

• She...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I am being weaned off Valium, but I am still on morphine. I have been going through withdrawal symptoms. Sweating, insomnia, anxiety, panic, stomach pain, BP going up to stroke zone, glucose levels, just as bad. All of September and October have been some of the worst days of my life. Dr. put me on Clonidine for high blood pressure, it made it go higher, and I am sleeping my life away... not good."

• Amb...
• November 19, 2020

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "I was put into medical menopause due to cancer. The night sweats were absolutely horrible, and I was having issues falling asleep. And if I did, it was only for 3 hours broken up throughout the night. I went to see my regular doctor multiple times and was put on several prescriptions for the hot and night flashes - nothing worked. I then called my GYN doctor and he prescribed me Clonidine HCL 0.1 mg tabs. I was to take 1 tablet at night daily for the first 2 weeks, then increase to 2 tabs. I have been taking 1 tab at night for 3 weeks now and have been sleeping without night sweats. I was only on them for 1 week before I noticed a change. HOWEVER, I did not increase my dose to 2 tabs because 1 tab is working well for me. If this stops happening, then I will increase to 2 tabs, but for now, 1 is doing the trick, and I am so happy and back to my normal self. I have not noticed any side effects at all."

• Tou...
• June 9, 2011

For Tourette's Syndrome "I used clonidine for Tourette's syndrome when I was 15. I would fall asleep in class all the time. So I quit taking it. Now 30 and I'm going to give it one more try. So far, the side effect is I can't sleep. I feel sleep fine, but up at 2:30 in the morning, I have dry mouth really bad. I will keep everyone updated."

• Coc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 25, 2022

For Anxiety "This medicine was my last best hope of helping with my anxiety. I have been on every other class of antidepressant/antianxiety drugs with terrible results. Unfortunately, the same exact experience with this drug. My doctor told me I'd be tired and sleep well on it. Exact opposite. I could not sleep after using it for four days! Woke up this morning completely freaked out and on the verge of a panic attack. I really, really wished this would have worked as I have run out of options at this point."

• sus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 11, 2016

Clonidine for ADHD "My granddaughter started Kapvay, and she is almost 10 years old. She has been diagnosed with ADD. She was using Intuniv, but 1 mg was not enough for attention, and 2 mg made her so, so tired. Started Kapvay, and WOW…cannot sleep…huge blister on her lip…legs hurt so bad. She is almost 10 but small, she weighs 47 pounds (she was a 2.8 lb preemie-11 weeks early). Have to stop medicine. I also read that it was not a great choice for ADD alone."

• Nih...
• February 5, 2018

For Tourette's Syndrome "I have never used medication for my tics. I have always had a high frequency, but my tics are very mild and hard to notice. At the age of 23, my life got consumed by my tics. I was struggling with severe tic anxiety, which made my tics significantly worse. I ended up having between 10-20 mild tics every minute. I started taking 0.15 clonidine 3x a day, and after roughly two months, my tics reduced significantly and my anxiety was gone, further reducing my tics. My tic frequency has been reduced by roughly 90-95%. The only bad side effect I have is trouble sleeping (I wake up too early). My other side effects are mild sedation, which helps my ADHD, and dry mouth and dry hands, which are beneficial as I used to have sweaty hands and excessive saliva production. Start with a lower dose. I started on 0.15 three a day, and I was sick for the first week. I am also a big 6'2" fellah who attends the gym rather frequently, so I had my body weight in my favor too. Be careful starting your treatment!"

• Uss...
• May 13, 2013

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "I just started on clonidine. I was noticing tiredness and insomnia, and I am emotional as well. My hot flashes are definitely less often, however, I am unsure if I will keep taking it due to waking at night with the flashes, which have not changed, unfortunately. I will see how it goes for another few days."

• car...
• April 21, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Well, I just started, been on them about a month now. And so far, I guess I'm cool with them. My high blood pressure was just out of control, y'all. But so far, I haven't had a bad trip or anything, and I'm also a Suboxone user, have been for 8 years and counting. I had a few side effects like the stuffy nose and insomnia, and this is my story."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 6, 2017

Clonidine for ADHD "My son has used various stimulants for 5 years. Still struggling because of impulsivity and super high metabolism, the doctors wanted to add non-stimulants. We started with Intuniv, which dropped his blood pressure way too low (75/43), so we stopped after 2 weeks. Tried Clonidine IR, and it worked GREAT the first 2 days, then fine (not great, just fine). The doctor changed to Kapvay for long-acting effects, but we stopped after 2 weeks because he got awful insomnia (took 2-3 hours to fall asleep instead of his usual 15 minutes). Last night, we went back to Clonidine IR - he fell asleep quickly and slept great! I give Kapvay a 2 because it decreased his impulsivity a bit, but the insomnia was awful, he got more aggressive/emotional, and really affected him negatively."

• sup...
• July 20, 2015

For Insomnia, Stimulant-Associated "I was prescribed clonidine 0.1 mg to help with blood pressure and insomnia. Unfortunately for me, it hasn't helped with either. It worked the first week in helping me fall asleep, but I still woke up about 2 hours later in the same situation. As far as blood pressure, every reading still remains dangerously high."

• bpd...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2022

For Insomnia, Stimulant-Associated "Clonidine worked perfectly for a year. I'd take it at night, I'd wake up after 10 hours feeling refreshed (a bit light-headed), but it was perfect for me. I get anxiety and attacks at night, and clonidine would keep all of that away for the night. However, after about a year, I started waking up after 3-4 hours of sleep and not feeling refreshed. And if you want to get off of it, prepare for HELL. Constant anxiety/panic attacks, insomnia for days, hallucinations, etc."

• Tab...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 28, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I have dangerously high blood pressure and dysautonomia and mild anxiety, and I've been on this medication for six months now. Sadly, it's not done anything for my blood pressure or really helped with my dysautonomia/autonomic symptoms, however, I'm on 100 micrograms a day, which is 0.1 mg a day. I've not had any side effects except dry mouth and sleep issues. I'm hugely sensitive to medications, so I'm not sure if we can up the dose soon or not. But for people that don't know, this does come in smaller doses now, and I take 25 microgram tablets, which four of those are equal to 0.1 mg."

• Maz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2017

For Tourette's Syndrome "I used this medication for 3 days for motor tics (blinking and head jerking). The first day, I took half a tablet in the morning and half a tablet at night. The side effects were horrible: insomnia, feeling weak and lethargic, limbs would go numb especially when I'm trying to sleep, dry mouth, depression, falling asleep/dozing off at work and while driving (very dangerous). Day 2 and 3, I just took half a tablet at night, and the side effects in the day weren't as bad, but still there. The effects at night were just as bad, if not worse. I was only getting 3 good hours of sleep, the rest is praying to sleep. But in saying that, the tics did ease a little bit. I have now stopped the meds today. Will not take it again."

• CGC...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 24, 2024

For Anxiety "I was introduced to this drug when I detoxed from prolonged use of alcohol. It has been a wonder worker for me, both then and still today. I am able to control my anxiety, get quality sleep, and manage occasional blood pressure spikes and stress-induced overwhelm. If you are considering stopping drinking, this drug is a game changer."

• gau...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 15, 2021

For Anxiety "It may work for some people, not for me. I do not tolerate meds that raise the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. I experienced irritability, headaches, insomnia, paresthesia, and blood pressure that fluctuated throughout the day."

• Anonymous
• January 1, 2009

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "It left me with a very dry mouth, racy heartbeat, insomnia, and slight dizziness."

• pai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 25, 2022

For ADHD "It hasn’t made a change at all with my ADHD, it made my sleep worse, and I can't fall asleep or concentrate no matter how hard I try."