Clonidine is a centrally acting antihypertensive (to lower high blood pressure) agent, used mainly for this purpose in the past. It has found new uses, including treatment of some types of neuropathic pain, opioid detoxification, and, off-label, to counter the side effects of stimulant medication such as Methylphenidate. It is also increasingly becoming a more accepted alternative to fight insomnia as the drug is less addictive than most prescription sleep aids. Because of the above effects, Clonidine is increasingly used in conjunction with stimulants to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD where it's given late afternoon and/or evening for sleep and because it sometimes helps moderate ADHD associated impulsive and oppositional behavior and may reduce tics ^*.

Mechanism of action

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Clonidine is a centrally-acting alpha-2 agonist. It selectively stimulates receptors in the brain that monitor catecholamine levels in the blood. These receptors close a negative feedback loop that begins with descending sympathetic nerves from the brain that control the production of catecholamines (epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, and norepinephrine) in the adrenal medulla. By fooling the brain into believing that catecholamine levels are higher than they really are, clonidine causes the brain to reduce its signals to the adrenal medulla, which in turn lowers catecholamine production and blood levels. The result is a lowered heart rate and blood pressure, with side effects of dry mouth and fatigue. If clonidine is suddenly withdrawn the sympathetic nervous system will revert to producing high levels of epinephrine and norepinephrine, higher even than before treatment, causing rebound hypertension. Rebound hypertension can be avoided by slowly withdrawing treatment.

An analogy would be lowering the temperature of a house by holding a lit match under the thermostat connected to the furnace.

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RT @RadioMSdk: The Combination Very Low-Dose Naltrexone-Clonidine in the ... | @scoopit http://t.co/5FQGi0as...
enelam04 (malene ) Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:47:52 -0000
RT @RadioMSdk: The Combination Very Low-Dose Naltrexone-Clonidine in the ... | @scoopit http://t.co/5FQGi0as...
The Combination Very Low-Dose Naltrexone-Clonidine in the ... | @scoopit http://t.co/5FQGi0as...
RadioMSdk (Radio MS) Thu, 19 Jan 2012 09:46:52 -0000
The Combination Very Low-Dose Naltrexone-Clonidine in the ... | @scoopit http://t.co/5FQGi0as...
[Clonidine for remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia: a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled study of clonidi... http://t.co/S5yRQQh9
VoyantHealth (VoyantHealth) Thu, 19 Jan 2012 02:32:25 -0000
[Clonidine for remifentanil-induced hyperalgesia: a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled study of clonidi... http://t.co/S5yRQQh9
Bug is on clonidine its making him really sleepy but I have to give him the two weeks the doctor asked
BUGBOYSMOM (evadawn) Wed, 18 Jan 2012 22:28:42 -0000
Bug is on clonidine its making him really sleepy but I have to give him the two weeks the doctor asked
Is Clonidine an Adequate Alternative to Epinephrine as a Vasoconstrictor in Patients With Hypertension? http://t.co/QmCUpvzq
SympoAnesthesia (Symposier Anesthesia) Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:29:29 -0000
Is Clonidine an Adequate Alternative to Epinephrine as a Vasoconstrictor in Patients With Hypertension? http://t.co/QmCUpvzq
Is Clonidine an Adequate Alternative to Epinephrine as a Vasoconstrictor in Patients With Hypertension? http://t.co/A45JGVPT
SympoCardiology (Symposier Cardiology) Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:29:28 -0000
Is Clonidine an Adequate Alternative to Epinephrine as a Vasoconstrictor in Patients With Hypertension? http://t.co/A45JGVPT

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