ADHD - Clonidine Side Effects
Clonidine for ADHD is a drug that is antihypertensive. It is used in treating a number of health conditions, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Clonidine have been proven to be effective in treating ADHD. However, like all other prescription drugs, it has a lot of potential side effects.
Some of the Clonidine side effects on ADHD patients are: pounding heartbeats, shortness of breath, very slow heart rate, rapid weight gain, swelling of face, throat, tongue, and lips, feeling like fainting, hallucinations, confusion, fever, pale skin, less urination or not urinating at all, feeling dizzy, nervous, or tired, blurred vision, dry mouth, headache, muscle or joint pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, mild skin rashes, skin itch, insomnia, hives, and in addition for adult sufferers - decreased sex drive, and impotence.
Some of these side effects may be mild. Nonetheless, they are still unpleasant and can cause further harm or discomfort to the person taking it. It is essential that one immediately consults a doctor if any of these signs are felt after intake of the drug. It is also not advisable to stop the medication immediately without the doctor’s advice.
Clonidine can pose a risk to the person taking it; therefore, it should be taken exactly as prescribed by the physician. Overdoses can cause severe high blood pressure, extreme chest pain, headaches, anxiety, confusion, buzzing in the ears, blurred vision, and shortness of breath.
If you or your loved one is taking Clonidine, the following should be avoided:
- Alcohol. Alcohol can increase the side effects that can result from taking Clonidine. It is best to avoid alcohol if you are taking this medication to at least minimize the risk of having heightened side effects.
- Driving. Since Clonidine may cause drowsiness, it is better not to drive if you are taking this medication. You should ask somebody to drive for you.
Drugs for ADHD such as Clonidine may be effective in treating ADHD. But it seems that they also have a lot of side effects that can only add to the already uncomfortable feeling of the ADHD patient. Consult your doctor about alternative treatments to Clonidine. There are many types of alternative treatments that can be used in lieu of any of the drugs used to treat this condition. Although the results of alternative treatments may not be seen overnight, long-lasting improvement can be seen after considerable amount of use.
Alternative treatments can be as effective as Clonidine for ADHD and they have no side effects that may harm or add to the discomfort of your loved one. Aside from this, you can choose from a variety of alternative treatments which are more affordable than drugs. Ask the doctor for the right alternative treatment so you will not be stuck with the use of this medication and its side effects. Or better yet, do some research yourself, decide which alternative treatment you wish to trial, and discuss it with your doctor.
If you are thinking of using herbal, homepathic or other types of supplements, there is generally no risk to starting these treatments as an adjunct to the drugs, and then hopefully weaning yourself or your child off the drugs. But it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor before making a change to your medication regime.
There has been considerable research on alternatives to Clonidine for ADHD, and there are various options for treating ADHD that avoid Clonidine side effects and side effects to other types of drugs. Always discuss options with your doctor before making a final decision, though.