Clonidine Use for Detox & Addiction Recovery

Clonidine is a medication that can be safely used when prescribed by a doctor and taken as directed. Although there is some case report evidence that clonidine may have some abuse potential, instances of its abuse are few and far between and seem to be in conjunction with other intoxicating substances.

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What clonidine is, and what medical professionals prescribe it for.
• How addiction treatment specialists use clonidine to help patients detox.
• Information about the limited abuse potential of clonidine.
• Potential side effects of clonidine.

What is Clonidine?

Clonidine is what’s known as a centrally acting adrenergic agonist medication. Its activity within the central nervous system has several cardiovascular effects, making it useful in the treatment of certain types of high blood pressure, but it also has a number of other medicinal uses.^1,2

Catapres is available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms. Catapres and other immediate-release formulations of clonidine are typically used to treat hypertension but have also been shown to be useful for off-label purposes in helping individuals who are withdrawing from alcohol or opioid drugs. By diminishing certain sympathetic nervous system activity, clonidine helps to control some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with discontinuing these substances, and can help a person to remain abstinent in recovery. ^1,2

Kapvay (extended-release clonidine) is approved as an adjunctive treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) when used with psychostimulant medications such as Adderall, Ritalin, or Concerta. ^1,2

Clonidine is also used for a number of other purposes that include: ^1,2

• Reducing cramping during the menstrual cycle in women.
• Managing menopausal flushing.
• Treating tics that occur with Tourette’s syndrome.
• Aiding a person who is trying to quit smoking.
• Treating chronic or acute pain in some individuals (e.g., clonidine epidural injection for severe cancer pain).
• As a possible diagnostic aide for a condition known as pheochromocytoma, which is an adrenal gland tumor that can result in increased epinephrine and norepinephrine activity.

How is Clonidine Used for Detox?

Medical professionals may use clonidine to help a patient manage certain unpleasant symptoms associated with opioid, alcohol, and nicotine cessation. Although it may not help reduce drug craving, clonidine is helpful in other ways, including:^2,3

• Lessening feelings of anxiety and agitation.
• Easing muscle aches.
• Lighten cramping.
• Helping to alleviate a runny nose and sweating.

Does clonidine get you high? The short answer is no. Clonidine works by helping tamp down nervous system over-excitation, which can occur during opioid, alcohol, and nicotine withdrawal.^2,3

Is Clonidine Addictive?

Clonidine is not considered to be a major drug of abuse. It is an unscheduled drug, meaning that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration has not designated clonidine as having a significantly high potential for abuse, though there is some limited evidence to demonstrate that intentional misuse may occur in conjunction with other substances.⁴

It is hypothesized that some cases of clonidine abuse involve people who began using it for symptomatic management of withdrawal from other abused substances but then later continued to misuse it for its ability to synergize the intoxication associated with alcohol and certain other drugs such as benzodiazepines and opioids.⁴

Though the issue doesn’t appear to be widespread, in the manner described above, clonidine misuse may itself fit in with the compulsive patterns of substance behavior common to addictions. Some signs of clonidine dependency may include:⁴

• Feeling a need to take clonidine regularly.
• Needing to take a higher dose of clonidine to feel the same effect that lower doses used to provide.
• Having a backup supply of clonidine.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms, potentially including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, insomnia, restlessness, or anxiety when trying to stop taking clonidine.

When abused with certain substances such as benzodiazepines, opioids or alcohol, clonidine can produce dangerous effects, such as extreme lethargy, drowsiness, and weakness.¹

Clonidine Side Effects

Just like any other medication, clonidine adverse effects can occur even when the medication is taken correctly.¹

Common side effects of clonidine include:¹

• General feelings of weakness, fatigue, dry mouth, nervousness, and headache.
• Nausea, vomiting, and/or constipation.
• Symptoms similar to having a cold, such as headache, runny nose, sore throat, congestion, etc.
• Issues with sexual functioning.

Less common effects include allergic reactions, which may manifest as:¹

• The development of a rash or hives.
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
• Swelling in the face, tongue, lips, eyes, throat, hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs.
• Becoming very hoarse.

Clonidine Warnings: Signs of an allergic reaction should be addressed immediately by discontinuing the medication and going to an emergency department or calling the prescribing physician if available for immediate medical guidance.¹

Don’t let the devastating side effects of addiction go on for another day. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction and are ready to start the treatment process, call us today at . Oxford Treatment Center, American Addiction Centers’ inpatient Mississippi rehab center, is ready to help you get the treatment you need today.

References:

1. U.S. National Library of Medicine, Medline Plus. (2017). Clonidine.
2. Stevens, C. W., & Brenner, G. M. (2018). Brenner and Stevens’ Pharmacology. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier.
3. Nicholls, L., Bragaw, L., & Ruetsch, C. (2010). Opioid dependence treatment and guidelines. Supplement to Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy, 16.
4. Yasaei, R. & Saadabadi, A. (2020). Clonidine. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing.