Clonidine

(KLON i deen)

Is it safe for my child to take this drug?

• Not if your child has an allergy to clonidine or any other part of this drug.
• Be sure to let the doctor know if your child has any allergies or side effects to drugs, foods, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and what signs your child had. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other signs.

Why does my child need this drug?

• It is used to treat attention deficit problems with hyperactivity.
• It is used to treat high blood pressure.
• It is used to control pain when infused into the spine.
• It is used to stop migraine headaches.

How is this drug given?

• All products:
• Give as you have been told, even if your child is feeling better.
• Have your child follow the diet and workout plan your child's doctor told you about.
• Oral:
• Give this drug with or without food. Give with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Give last dose of the day at bedtime.
• Kapvay™:
• Have your child swallow whole. Do not let your child chew, break, or crush.
• Shot:
• It is given as a shot into the spine.
• Skin patch:
• Take off old patch first.
• Put patch on clean, dry, healthy skin on the chest, back, or belly. Move the site with each new patch.
• If the patch loosens, put tape over it to hold it in place.

How long does this drug take to work?

• Oral/skin patch:
• It may take a few days to see the full effect.
• Spinal:
• Your child may start feeling better soon after starting this drug.

What do I do if my child misses a dose?

• Oral:
• Give a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Do not give 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.
• Skin patch:
• Put on a missed patch as soon as you think about it after taking off the old one.
• If it is close to the time for your child's next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your child's normal time.
• Start a new timetable after the patch is put back on.
• Do not put on 2 doses or extra doses.
• Do not change the dose or stop your child's drug. Talk with your child's doctor.

What safety measures do I need to take when my child is using this drug?

• Do not run out of this drug.
• Have your child wear disease medical alert ID (identification).
• Your child may have some heart tests before starting this drug. Talk with your child's doctor.
• If your child has a fast heartbeat, talk with your child's doctor.
• If your child has heart disease, talk with the doctor.
• If your child has kidney disease, talk with the doctor.
• Have your child's blood pressure and heart rate checked often. Talk with your child's doctor.
• Check all drugs your child is taking with your child's doctor. This drug may not mix well with some other drugs.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• The patch may have metal. Take off your child's patch before an MRI.
• Avoid giving your child other drugs and natural products that may slow your child's actions.
• If your child is taking this drug and has high blood pressure, talk with the doctor before giving OTC products that may raise blood pressure. These include cough or cold drugs, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and some natural products or aids.
• This drug may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, sports) or using items that call for your child to have focus or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's actions will be closely watched until you see how this drug affects him/her. School work may be hard for your child to focus on and get done.

What are some side effects of this drug?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred eyesight, or a change in thinking clearly. Have your child avoid tasks or actions that call for him/her to be alert or have clear eyesight until you see how this drug works.
• Feeling dizzy. Have your child get up slowly over a few minutes when sitting or lying down. Have your child be extra careful climbing stairs.
• Hard stools (constipation). Drinking more liquids, working out, or adding fiber to your diet may help. Talk with your doctor about a stool softener or laxative.
• Dry mouth. Good mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy. Have your child see a dentist often.
• Dry eyes. Using artificial tears may help.
• Skin irritation.

When do I need to call my child's doctor?

• If any of this news causes you to be worried, any of the unwanted side effects happen, or if your child is not better after taking this drug.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room (ER) right away.
• If your child shows signs of a very bad reaction, call your child's doctor or the ER right away. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child is not acting normal.
• If your child shows signs of very bad dizziness or passes out.
• If your child has very hard stools (constipation).
• If your child has very bad skin irritation.
• If your child is feeling very tired or weak.
• If your child gets a rash.
• If your child’s health problem does not get better or if you believe your child’s health problem is worse.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

• Tablet:
• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Skin patch:
• Store at room temperature.
• Shot:
• The shot will be given to your child in a hospital or doctor's office. You will not store it at home.

General drug facts

• If your child has a very bad allergy, he/she needs to wear an allergy ID at all times.
• You may get this drug by drug order only. If there are refills, call your pharmacy. If your child does not have refills left, you may need to call your child's doctor.
• Get rid of this drug when your child no longer needs it or if the drug is outdated.
• If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• In Canada, take any unused drugs to the pharmacy. Also, visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/med/disposal-defaire-eng.php#th to learn about the right way to get rid of unused drugs.
• Do not share your child's drug with others and do not give anyone else's drug to your child.
• Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your child's drugs (prescription, natural products, vitamins, OTC) with you. Give this list to your child's doctor.
• These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
• Talk with the doctor before giving your child any new drug, including OTC, natural products, or vitamins.
• If you do not use a drug the right way, it may not be safe. Follow what your child’s doctor tells you.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your healthcare provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

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