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Is It Safe to Use Clonidine in Children?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Clonidine is regularly prescribed to children for conditions like tics, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and sometimes for high blood pressure. In countries like the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration approve the drug for children only for its use in treating ADHD, and they have not, as yet, evaluated its safety and effectiveness for other conditions. This does not mean clonidine in children is not used for other conditions, and off-label prescriptions are common and thought appropriate by many physicians. It can have strong side effects and parental vigilance is needed when children are prescribed the medication, and therefore safety is considered by weighing risks versus benefits.

Unlike many other medications used for ADHD, this drug is not a stimulant. This makes clonidine in children all the more useful for the 10% or more of kids who may react poorly to standard treatment of the disorder with stimulant medications like methylphenidate (Ritalin®) or other drugs. It does appear effective in children and can lessen some of the difficult symptoms of ADHD, like impulsivity, restlessness, and poor focus.

Clonidine may cause headaches in children.
Clonidine may cause headaches in children.

Given FDA approval of safety for clonidine in children for ADHD, it also makes sense to view it as a potential treatment for other disorders in the pediatric population. It has been shown effective in treating Tourette’s syndrome and in treating high blood pressure. There are other drugs available to treat these conditions as well.

Claiming absolute safety of clonidine in children is impossible. As with any drug, there can be powerful side effects and the medication isn’t appropriate for everyone. The principal side effects that are relatively benign include feelings of drowsiness, dizziness, dry eyes, mouth and nose, and headaches.

Clonidine is commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in children.
Clonidine is commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in children.

More severe side effects can occur and require emergency medical attention. These are pain in the chest, very strong sleepiness or tiredness, tremors or shakiness anywhere in the body, and rapid heartbeat. Anaphylactic allergic reaction to the drug could also occur and this features symptoms like hives, swelling of the face, lips, and tongue, nausea, difficulty breathing, and asthma. These symptoms need immediate medical care.

Because of the high energy levels of young children, ADHD is typically difficult to diagnosed at the preschool level.
Because of the high energy levels of young children, ADHD is typically difficult to diagnosed at the preschool level.

For clonidine in children to be safer, it has to be administered appropriately. Exact dosage varies by weight of the child and might come in pill or patch form. Discontinuation of the drug requires care, too. The medicine should not be stopped abruptly, unless there is allergy, because it can cause strong withdrawal symptoms. Instead, it requires tapering so minimal to no unpleasant effects are experienced.

For clonidine to be safe for children it has to be administered in the proper dose based on the child's weight.
For clonidine to be safe for children it has to be administered in the proper dose based on the child's weight.

Additionally, children should have a full exam prior to receiving this drug. Clonidine can affect the heart, liver or kidneys and if children have any illness affecting these organs, another medication should be tried. Parents are also concerned about whether clonidine in children will cause long-term effects like retarded growth. There is no consensus on this, but many researchers argue that growth may actually increase slightly because part of the drug’s action is to slightly stimulate the production of growth hormone.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

candyquilt

I think clonidine works a little too well for my daughter. It knocks her out! It makes her drowsy and fall asleep. I think clonidine is okay for children if other treatments are not working. But that has to be decided by a doctor.

SarahGen

@ddljohn-- I don't agree with you. Clonidine might help some children with ADHD, but it's not safe or beneficial for every child. My son did not do well on clonidine. Instead of making his ADHD better, it actually made it worse. Clonidine has negative side effects too.

ddljohn

My daughter uses a stimulant and clonidine for ADHD. It was prescribed to counter the negative side effects of the stimulant and it works quite well. Initially, she was only on a stimulant and the medication was making her even more active even though it helped with her concentration. She also had trouble falling asleep.

The clonidine has really calmed her down and it helps her sleep. I give it to her before she goes to bed and she's asleep soon afterward.

So clonidine is definitely safe for children with ADHD in the right doses.

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    • Clonidine may cause headaches in children.
      By: Peredniankina
      Clonidine may cause headaches in children.
    • Clonidine is commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in children.
      By: vbaleha
      Clonidine is commonly prescribed to treat ADHD in children.
    • Because of the high energy levels of young children, ADHD is typically difficult to diagnosed at the preschool level.
      By: micromonkey
      Because of the high energy levels of young children, ADHD is typically difficult to diagnosed at the preschool level.
    • For clonidine to be safe for children it has to be administered in the proper dose based on the child's weight.
      By: Ermolaev Alexandr
      For clonidine to be safe for children it has to be administered in the proper dose based on the child's weight.
    • Hives may occur as a result of an allergic reaction.
      By: Rob Byron
      Hives may occur as a result of an allergic reaction.
    • Some children with ADHD may refuse to take medication of any kind for the condition.
      By: Tony Northrup
      Some children with ADHD may refuse to take medication of any kind for the condition.
    • Symptoms of Tourettes syndrome, which may be tread with clonidine, may include repetitive blinking of the eyes.
      By: Jasmin Merdan
      Symptoms of Tourettes syndrome, which may be tread with clonidine, may include repetitive blinking of the eyes.