Patient/caregiver was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking clonidine as follows:
- Continue taking clonidine as ordered, even if your symptoms are under control. Abrupt discontinuation on clonidine intake can result in precipitating the hypertensive episodes back again. Poorly controlled blood pressure can lead to increased workload on the heart, thus contributing to debility and progression to heart failure. Sudden discontinuing on clonidine can also result in extremely elevated blood pressure and stroke. Discontinuing the medication should only be on your physician’s recommendation.
- If clonidine is prescribed as part of a combination therapy, for control of hypertension and reducing the workload on the heart, observing compliance with other recommendations, such as, heart healthy diet and daily physical exercise, can contribute towards better control of symptoms.
- Inactive metabolites of clonidine along with the unmetabolized portion of the drug are mainly excreted in urine by the kidneys. Individuals with renal disease cannot excrete clonidine and metabolites normally, which allows the medication to stay in blood circulation for longer time, resulting in toxicity and consequent side-effects. So, clonidine must be used with caution in individuals with compromised renal function, with periodical monitoring for renal functions and development of any toxic symptoms.
