Clonidine and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 2)

• MrM...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2019

For Anxiety "I was given 0.1 mg twice per day to control anxiety, but it made me so tired and dizzy, it was difficult to stand up. Many years later, after seeing dozens of doctors, it was determined I had adrenal insufficiency and needed hydrocortisone. This drug will decrease cortisol production and make you feel even worse, so be advised."

• not...
• February 19, 2016

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "Glad I found this site and these reviews. I just started clonidine 0.1 mg last night, and I had the best night of sleep in a month. I felt hot 1 or 2 times, but not nearly as extreme as the 4-5 hot flashes I have been having. I couldn't believe the drug could be this effective, so I wanted to search other people's experiences, and it seems the effects are true! And it also explains why I seem to be dragging this morning; my morning workout was tough to get through, and I couldn't understand why I seemed so exhausted. Now I'm hoping I'll get over that side effect or get used to it, and that this keeps working for me."

• Fin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 20, 2019

For Opiate Withdrawal "So at 14, I started using first pain pills, then heroin. Then at 17, I started using subs to stay off the other drugs. I wanted off the subs (had been on 12 years) and had tried just about everything and always failed. By the second or third day, the withdrawals were so bad I'd go back to subs, sometimes even other drugs if I couldn't get the subs. I finally talked to my doctor, and she prescribed clonidine. It's been a miracle drug. On day three of being off subs, and the only problems I've had are being tired and sweating a lot, but I'll take that over nausea, diarrhea, and restless arms and legs any day. At this rate, I know I will be clean from here on out, and it makes me so happy. I'm telling you, talk to your doctor about it, it works 100 percent. I get being skeptical, I was at first too since nothing ever helped, but just try it."

• Sie...
• March 9, 2016

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "My hot flashes started at 34, and I'm 54. Since going through menopause a couple of years ago, the flashes have been debilitating! Twenty or more a day and waking 4 or 5 times at night. I've complained to many doctors, and none ever suggested this medication. Since starting on it, my flashes have reduced about 75%! Amazing! I'm sleeping again. However, I'm also struggling with the side effects - tired, constipated, depressed, dry mouth/sinuses causing snoring, and I'm having trouble focusing. I'm able to get through my workday okay, but I'm just not myself. Hoping the side effects will pass."

• Joy...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 13, 2016

For Opiate Withdrawal "If you take clonidine 3 times a day and Xanax 3 times a day, you will not feel any withdrawal. Maybe a little more tired. I take 0.5 milligrams of Xanax morning, noon, and night, and clonidine 10 milligrams."

• nrv...
• January 25, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Used Clonidine transdermal for 3 months, brought BP of 169/114 down to an average of 135/90. Had swelling of the face, redness, swelling, itching of eyes, and blurred vision. Made it extremely hard to function with tiredness and inability to think and worsened feelings of depression. After the 3rd month, developed painful, itchy rashes at the patch site even with the application of Benadryl spray before application. Became allergic to jewelry, deodorants, and some foods. Trial of Lisinopril was a nightmare, so had to go back on the patch with worsened symptoms. Have been off for two days, and pressure is spiking. I am to try another med, but am experiencing a prolonged allergic reaction at patch sites and am nervous about the consequences."

• Mar...
• January 22, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "Will prevent the pain of a migraine if I take it when I first get an aura. If the pain has already set in, it will greatly decrease and shorten the duration of the migraine. The only side effect is that it makes me feel tired, this can be helped if taken with Excedrin. This is the only migraine reliever that's ever been effective for me."

• got...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 2, 2023

For ADHD "I was diagnosed with ADHD/BPD at 15 years old and am 47. I was on Lamictal/Wellbutrin for 20/10 years, respectively, and then tapered off both due to some other medical issues. Was off all psych meds for 3 months until things were so bad I couldn't stand it anymore. No motivation, always wanting to be on the go, mind wouldn't stop, irritable, etc. Have to be careful what I take because of other meds, so my doctor tried Clonidine XR because I was getting a caffeine habit. So far, I have been on it for 2 1/2 weeks. There was effective relief after the first dose. I felt calmer and could focus. It was a miracle for me! Now this is technically a blood pressure drug and I don't have a problem with HBP. I actually run on the lower side, and my typical BP reading is around 105-110/64-68 with this. I do get a headache and get tired, so I take a supplement with a sip or two of caffeine when this happens and don't bend over a lot at once or stand up quickly. However, that is a small price to pay for my (and my family's) sanity!"

• Mom...
• November 29, 2016

For ADHD "My 11-year-old son has been diagnosed with PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome). Clonidine is so effective with my son that we only give him 1/8 of his pill. If I give him 1/4, he is very tired in the morning. He is also on a very small dose of Prozac. He takes Clonidine as needed for anxiety, as the Zithromax (antibiotics) got rid of his tics, so he doesn't need Clonidine anymore for that. But sometimes his anxiety acts up at night, and Clonidine relaxes him so he can sleep. He also has 1/2 of a 3 mg of melatonin, but he can only take melatonin now that his tics are gone because before it made him tired while he was wired, and that was uncomfortable. Anyway, Clonidine is the best medication for his anxiety, but if we give him the diagnosed amount, he is a zombie in the morning."

• Anonymous
• January 20, 2012

Clonidine for ADHD "My 6-year-old tried this after Intuniv failed. It made him constantly tired and irritable, and actually made his impulsiveness worse since he just seemed cranky and emotional all of the time. It also constipated him to the point that he ended up with fissures. It never made a meaningful dent in his ability to concentrate or sit still, and he became more argumentative in school and less willing to comply. I've yet to meet anyone that these work for, but it sure would be nice if there were a non-stimulant that worked. We're on stimulants now and still haven't found a miracle there, either. I will say that it didn't affect his appetite, which was nice."

• Jax...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 17, 2019

For Insomnia, Stimulant-Associated "Was prescribed this drug for insomnia. Does absolutely nothing to help me sleep, and I get so dizzy about 3 hrs after I take this medication I cannot even get out of bed. This drug causes me to wake up soaked in sweat and extremely tired and dizzy throughout the day. When I wake up, I have to sit on the ledge of my bed for at least ten minutes, otherwise, I will fall. This drug is terrible. Never take it."

• Cri...
• January 10, 2018

For Anxiety "This medication makes me so tired I can't even function. I take 0.2 mg, and I'll be in bed all day and can't even get up. I took it for a week thinking it would eventually wear off like with a lot of other medications, but it never did, and it just makes me feel so terribly exhausted that I couldn't take it anymore. Now I just take it to help me sleep, and it works good like that, but not for anxiety."

• Cri...
• January 10, 2018

For Anxiety "This medication makes me so tired I can't even function. I take 0.2 mg, and I'll be in bed all day and can't even get up. I took it for a week thinking it would eventually wear off like with a lot of other medications, but it never did, and it just makes me feel so terribly exhausted that I couldn't take it anymore. Now I just take it to help me sleep, and it works good like that, but not for anxiety."

• Coo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 9, 2016

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "I started taking clonidine for high blood pressure before I had any hot flashes. When I started having hot flashes, I didn't think that the clonidine was helping me. I lost 30 lbs, and I started to wean myself off of the clonidine because I was getting low blood pressure readings. OMG! I didn't realize how bad the hot flashes could be. I am now taking the clonidine more for my hot flashes than my blood pressure. The side effects I had from clonidine are dry mouth and eyes, constipation, and feeling tired. I use Biotene mouthwash to help with dry mouth. The constipation is frustrating, so I take flaxseed oil and fish oil, and I don't eat cheese. I take my doses of .1 mg at midnight and at 3 pm so I am not tired at work."

• Sku...
• May 12, 2021

For Opiate Withdrawal "5-year heavy opiate addict (2007 - 2012) used clonidine for the first 24 hours of opiate withdrawal so I could take Suboxone. Eliminated all withdrawal symptoms. 1 year heavy Kratom use (2020 - 2021 (4 days ago)) using clonidine @ .2 - .3 mg every 5-6 hours for withdrawal. Completely eliminates all withdrawal symptoms of the following: Restless Leg Syndrome, abdominal pain, diarrhea, sweating profusely, chills, hot/cold temperature fluctuations, insomnia, sneezing profusely, sensitivity to light, yawning. Unfortunately, this drug makes you very tired, and your body will feel very heavy and fatigued, but I think that's a fair trade-off for the above. Please, please be safe with this medication. Do not take too much. This is a drug that can dangerously lower your blood pressure if you take too much."

• Sik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2016

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "This is my first week using the patch. I am taking 0.1. The reason for going on this is that I have been having horrific hot flashes. My doctor suggested I take Clonidine. I was a tad skeptical at first, but I gave it a try. I still have small hot flashes here and there, but nothing like the way it was before. I am actually wearing a long sleeve shirt with a jacket compared to wearing a dressy tank every day. The first day I was on it, I felt like I was hit by a bus, I was extremely tired. Five cups of coffee did not even wake me up or give me any energy. I start my next patch on Friday. I will see if I get tired and keep you all posted. So far, ten stars. I am actually smiling more because I am not overheated, and I don’t look a mess."

• CDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2019

For ADHD "Sadly, clonidine left me feeling lethargic, foggy, and ultimately depressed after 3-4 weeks of daily use. Rather than persevere, I decided to stop the trial and felt better within 48-72 hours. I've given it two stars because it did help me to sleep for longer, but it didn’t improve my quality of sleep, nor did it reduce symptoms of anxiety/RSD."

• 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."

• GoP...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 24, 2017

For Tourette's Syndrome "I was diagnosed with Tourette's when I was about 12 years old. I'm now 32. I've mainly been on clonidine and Tenex for it over the years. The dry mouth is terrible, I will say that, but Biotene (sp?) makes a dry mouth spray that is a lifesaver! That being said, I think the patches are amazing. My last switch from Tenex to clonidine was so I could give the patches a try. You change it once a week, feels like you have constant coverage and I don't have sweaty palms like I did every time I was due for an oral dose. My dry mouth is not as bad on the patch - anyone that has suffered from this side effect knows how awful it can be and so embarrassing! I was only tired when I went from 0.1 to 0.2 mg, and it was only a couple of days. Try the patches!!!"

• 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."

• Kit...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2021

For Anxiety "I was prescribed clonidine (0.01 mg) daily for anxiety, ADD, facial tics, and OCD. It works fairly fast, however, it makes me extremely tired, and the dry mouth is very bothersome. It definitely lowers your heart rate which, in my case, makes me sleepy. I’m not sure I can continue taking this medication because I cannot think of anything but getting into bed 30 mins after I take it. I’m giving it one more week."

• Fre...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 8, 2020

For Restless Legs Syndrome "This drug, clonidine, works wonders for RLS. It makes your legs feel heavy and tired. Side effects for me are tiredness and sometimes lightheadedness upon standing. I immediately have to sit down sometimes due to the drop in blood pressure. Take this as prescribed! It will debilitate you if not. Another bad side effect is a big spike in blood pressure upon stopping usage. If quitting, take half pills or even quarters."

• Tay...
• March 26, 2017

For Tourette's Syndrome "I'm 25 and have had minor motor tics since I was around 12. I was recently prescribed this because my tics became too much to bear without medication, but I'm not noticing much of any change. Sometimes the following day after I take 2 mg the night before, I'll notice my tics are less frequent, but it definitely didn't relieve them when I need it to. It also gives me really bad dry mouth and sometimes gets me so tired I fall asleep at my desk at work. I'll continue taking this for a little while longer, but if the tics persist, I'm gonna have to try something else."

• Met...
• December 5, 2017

For Perimenopausal Symptoms "Have been having hot flushes for years at night, which are getting worse. Tried HRT for years but had to come off because of my age. Chemist suggested I ask the doctor about this drug. After 3 days, I couldn't keep my eyes open. I managed for 4 hours, then went to sleep for 4 hours. Hot flushes don't seem quite as bad. I only hope that this tiredness and drowsiness goes. Can't be doing with this."

• Wor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 1, 2014

For Alcohol Withdrawal "I guess I'm the party-pooper here, but I find clonidine didn't do anything for withdrawal. It just made me feel cold (ice cold), weak, totally drained of energy. Like a sick, anemic feeling. Yeah, it'd make me tired but not in a good way like Librium or Ativan. I haven't drank any alcohol in 12 years now, and as I recall it was Ativan that brought me down easy that last time."