Clonidine
Clonidine lowers blood pressure and comes as two tablet products: branded Catapres 100mcg and plain Clonidine 0.1mg — the same strength written two ways.
What clonidine is used for
High blood pressure rarely announces itself — most people feel fine while their reading stays high, and the strain shows up years later in the heart, brain, kidneys and eyes. Clonidine is used to bring those readings down, either on its own or with other blood-pressure medicines. It has a second use in ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), where it forms part of a wider treatment programme for children aged 6 and over, and it turns up in a few other situations too, such as menopausal hot flushes and the symptoms of opiate or alcohol withdrawal.
How it works
Clonidine is a centrally acting alpha-2 agonist, which means it works in the brain rather than on the blood vessels themselves. It dampens the nerve signals that keep vessels narrowed and the heart working hard, so the pulse slows and the vessels open up. The result is something you read on a monitor rather than feel: a lower number, without any obvious sensation of the medicine working.
Catapres or plain Clonidine
Two tablet packs cover this ingredient. Catapres is the branded version at 100mcg; Clonidine is the plain-named one at 0.1mg. Those two figures are the same amount in different units, so what you are really choosing between is a brand name and a plain box — same ingredient, same tablet form. The plain tablets are also the ones that cover ADHD as well as blood pressure. Both sit in Heart & Blood Pressure with the rest of the medicines for the same condition.
Twice a day, and what to expect
The tablets sold here are the regular kind: one in the morning and one in the evening, spaced as evenly as your day allows, and they can be taken whether or not you have eaten. Keeping to the same slots keeps the level steady. Dry mouth and drowsiness are what most people notice in the first week or two, often with a light-headed moment when standing up quickly. Clonidine keeps blood pressure controlled rather than curing it, so readings tend to climb again once it is stopped, and stopping abruptly can send pressure up sharply with a racing pulse, headache, flushing, nausea and shaking. Doses are stepped down gradually for that reason.
Side effects and interactions
Alongside dry mouth and sleepiness, constipation, tiredness and headache are common. Clonidine slows the heart, so a very slow pulse and fainting are possible, and an allergic reaction that swells the face, lips or throat or makes breathing hard is an emergency. Alcohol, sleeping tablets and other sedatives deepen the drowsiness, and taking clonidine with other blood-pressure medicines can drop the reading further.
Sources
- Clonidine: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- High blood pressure - NHS — NHS
Where can I buy Clonidine in Hong Kong?
Clonidine can be bought online with delivery to Hong Kong. The range is generic Catapres tablets in 100mcg and Clonidine tablets in 0.1mg. Tracked courier delivery to Hong Kong takes 5 to 9 business days and comes with online tracking.
What is the price of Clonidine?
Each of the two clonidine products has its own price per pack, shown on its page in HKD or your selected currency; larger packs usually cost less per unit.
Do I need a prescription to order Clonidine?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order clonidine. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What is another name for clonidine?
Catapres is a brand name of clonidine, which is also sold as Arkamin and Kapvay. Here, clonidine can be bought online as generic Catapres and clonidine tablets. These are generics, not the original brand.
Can I drink alcohol with clonidine?
Alcohol adds to the drowsiness, dizziness and drop in blood pressure that clonidine can cause, so the two together can leave you feeling unsteady or faint. If you do drink, keep it light and see how you react before doing anything that needs a clear head.
What is the difference between Catapres and Clonidine?
They are two names for the same medicine in tablet form: Catapres is the branded version, while the plain one carries the ingredient name on the pack. Both contain clonidine, and what separates them is the name and the way the strength is written.
Is 100mcg of clonidine the same as 0.1mg?
Yes. Those two figures describe the same amount of clonidine — one is written in micrograms and the other in milligrams. A Catapres tablet and a plain Clonidine tablet therefore deliver the same dose, and only the name and the unit on the pack differ.
Is clonidine used for ADHD?
Yes. Clonidine is used as part of an ADHD treatment programme for children aged 6 and over, where it acts on the parts of the brain involved in attention and impulsiveness. It is also used for high blood pressure, which is its other main role.
Does clonidine slow your heart rate?
Yes. Slowing the heart is one of the ways clonidine brings blood pressure down, so a pulse that feels slower than usual is expected. A very slow pulse and fainting are recognised effects of larger doses.