Clonidine .3 mg Tablets

 Clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres®, Catapres-TTS®, Duraclon®) is a prescription drug that comes in three different forms and is approved for two different uses. Clonidine tablets (Catapres) are approved for the treatment of high blood pressure.
 
These tablets, which come in both brand-name and generic form, are available in several different strengths, including:
 
  • 0.1 mg clonidine tablets
  • 0.2 mg clonidine tablets
  • 0.3 mg clonidine tablets.
     
For most people, the starting dosage for the tablets is 0.1 mg twice daily, taken at morning and bedtime. If necessary, your healthcare provider may slowly increase your dose. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take a larger portion of the daily dose at bedtime (and a smaller portion in the morning), in order to reduce bothersome clonidine side effects like drowsiness or dry mouth. The .3 mg tablets may not be suitable for elderly individuals and people with kidney disease.
 
You should not abruptly stop taking clonidine, as serious problems may result. Your healthcare provider will advise you about how to safely stop taking this medication. It is usually recommended to slowly reduce the dose over at least two to four days, with careful monitoring. Let your healthcare provider know if you develop any problems while stopping clonidine.
 
(Click Clonidine Dosage to find out how dosing works for the other forms of clonidine and for general safety information on using this particular medicine.)
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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