Skip to main content

Clonidine for Bipolar Disorder User Reviews

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

Clonidine has an average rating of 8.1 out of 10 from a total of 8 reviews for the off-label treatment of Bipolar Disorder. 75% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 13% reported a negative experience.

Clonidine rating summary

8.1/10 average rating

8 ratings from 9 user reviews.

Compare all 84 medications used in the treatment of Bipolar Disorder.

10
50%
9
25%
8
0%
7
0%
6
13%
5
0%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
13%
  • Suzy
  • 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
Was this helpful?YesNo
41 Report
  • Rodgery
  • 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 bensodiazepines. It really helps me to get to sleep when my mind is racing. 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 for 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 mgs which is half a pill, and don't have any daytime sedation the day after."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
33 Report
  • Anonymous
  • July 31, 2009

"I have mixed Bipolar symptoms and was increasing on the Monic 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 everyday 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
Was this helpful?YesNo
51 Report
  • Chris...
  • 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
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • Mauri...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 25, 2014

Catapres (clonidine) "Works great for easing withdrawl 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
Was this helpful?YesNo
13 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • ivana
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 3, 2013

Catapres (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 with the use of Catapres alone in quitting heroin addiction."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
14 Report
  • Nat...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • December 24, 2015

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

Was this helpful?YesNo
12 Report
  • Charlie
  • 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
Was this helpful?YesNo
2 Report
  • Brian...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 26, 2015

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

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
10 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

Learn more about Bipolar Disorder

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)