PHINMA University of Pangasinan
College of Health Sciences
Name of Student Nurse: Andrea Kaye A. Abulencia
Level/block/group : 4 BSN 6
NAME OF DRUG
GENERIC NAME
Clonidine
BRAND NAME
Catapres-TTS
CLASSIFICATION
Clonidine belongs to the class of
medicines called
antihypertensives. It works in the
brain to change some of the nerve
impulses. As a result, the blood
vessels relax and blood passes
through them more easily, which
lowers blood pressure.
INDICATION
Clonidine tablets and transdermal
systems are indicated for the
treatment of hypertension alone or
in combination with other
medications. A clonidine injection
is indicated for use with opiates in
the treatment of severe cancer
pain where opiates alone are
insufficient. An extended release
tablet of clonidine is indicated for
the treatment of ADHD either
alone or in combination with
other medications. Clonidine is
also used for the diagnosis of
pheochromocytoma, treatment of
nicotine dependance, and opiate
withdrawal.
MECHANISM OF
ACTION
Stimulates peripheral alpha-
adrenergic receptors in the
CNS to produce transient
vasoconstriction and then
stimulates central alpha-
adrenergic receptors in the
brain stem to reduce
peripheral vascular
resistance, heart rate, and
systolic and diastolic blood
pressure. May produce
analgesia by preventing
transmission of pain signals
to the brain at presynaptic
and post junctional alpha2-
adrenoreceptors in the spinal
cord. With epidural
administration, clonidine
produces analgesia in body
areas innervated by the
spinal cord segments in
which the drug concentrates.
Date: July 16, 2023
Clinical Instructor: Mr. Ramon Sanchez, RN
CONTRAINDICATIONS SIDE EFFECTS ADVERSE EFFECTS NURSING
RESPONSIBILITIES
Clonidine is Common side effects: CNS: Agitation, •Advise patient to take drug
contraindicated in patients delusional perception, exactly as prescribed and not to
with a hypersensitivity to  Feeling sleepy, depression, dizziness, stop abruptly because withdrawal
clonidine. Generalized tired and weak drowsiness, fatigue, symptoms and severe hypertension
rash, urticaria, and hallucinations, headache, may occur.
 Feeling dizzy
angioedema have occurred malaise, nervousness,
 Dry mouth
with clonidine use. paresthesia, sedation, •Instruct patient to consult
 Constipation
Administration of epidural syncope, prescriber if dry mouth or
 Erection problems
clonidine above the C4 weakness, tremor drowsiness becomes a problem
dermatome is (erectile during oral clonidine therapy. To
contraindicated because dysfunction or CV: Arrhythmias, AV minimize these effects, prescriber
there are no adequate impotence) block, bradycardia may suggest taking most of dosage
safety data to support such  Headaches (severe), chest pain, at bedtime.
use.  Depression congestive heart failure,
 Difficulty sleeping orthostatic hypotension, •If a transdermal patch loosens
Raynaud’s phenomenon during 7-day application period,
Serious side effects: tell patient to place adhesive
EENT: Accommodation overlay directly over patch to
 lips, mouth, throat or disorder, blurred vision, ensure adhesion.
tongue suddenly burning eyes, decreased
lacrimation, dry eyes and •Tell patient to rotate transdermal
become swollen
mouth, salivary gland sites.
 breathing very fast or pain
struggling to breathe •Instruct patient to remove patch
GI: Constipation, and place a fresh one on another
 throat feels tight or
hepatitis, mildly elevated site if skin irritation, redness, or
struggling to swallow liver function test results, rash develops at patch site.
 skin, tongue or lips nausea, vomiting
turn blue, grey or pale •Advise patient to fold used
GU: Decreased libido, transdermal patch in half with
 suddenly become very erectile dysfunction, adhesive sides together and discard
confused, drowsy or nocturia it out of the reach of children.
 DOSAGE & FREQUENCY
Tablets Adults.
Initial: 0.1 mg twice daily,
increased by 0.1 mg/wk to
produce desired response.
Maintenance: 0.2 to 0.6 mg daily
in divided doses twice daily or
three times daily. Maximum: 2.4
mg daily.

Tablets (Jenloga) Adults.

Initial: 0.1 mg at bedtime,
increased by 0.1 mg/wk to
produce desired response. With
dosage increase, total daily
dosage should be equally divided
and administered twice daily.
Transdermal Patch Adults.
Initial: 0.1-mg patch applied to
hairless area of intact skin on
upper arm or torso every 7 days.
After 1 to 2 wk, if blood pressure
isn’t controlled, two 0.1-mg
patches or one 0.2-mg patch
applied to skin. Dosage adjusted,
as needed, every 7 days.
Maximum: Two 0.3-mg patches
worn at same time.
HEME:
dizzy
Thrombocytopenia •Instruct patient to swallow E.R.
 faints and cannot be tablets whole and never crush, cut,
woken up SKIN: Angioneurotic or chew the tablets.
edema, pruritus, rash,
Urticaria •Because of possible sedation,
advise patient to avoid hazardous
Other: Weight gain, activities until drug’s CNS effects
withdrawal symptoms are known. Caution patient that
these effects are increased by
concomitant use of alcohol,
barbiturates, or other sedating
drugs.
•Advise men that libido may