What is clonidine and chlorthalidone?
Clonidine lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your
blood. This allows your blood vessels to relax and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.
Chlorthalidone is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from
absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
The combination of clonidine and chlorthalidone treats fluid retention (edema) in people
with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disorders, or edema caused by
taking steroids or estrogen. This medication is also used to treat high blood pressure
(hypertension).
Clonidine and chlorthalidone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clonidine and chlorthalidone?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to clonidine or chlorthalidone, or if you
are unable to urinate.
Before using clonidine and chlorthalidone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs,
or if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take clonidine and chlorthalidone.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Clonidine and chlorthalidone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take clonidine and chlorthalidone?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating
more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can
lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be
checked often. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.
Chlorthalidone can interfere with the results of a thyroid test. Tell any doctor who treats
you that you are using this medication.
Keep using clonidine and chlorthalidone as directed, even if you feel well. High blood
pressure often has no symptoms, so you may not know when your blood pressure is high. You
may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Stopping this medication suddenly can cause nervousness, anxiety, severe high blood
pressure, or life-threatening symptoms. You will need to use less and less before you stop the
medication completely. Talk with your doctor before you stop taking clonidine and
chlorthalidone.
Store the tablets at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose of clonidine and chlorthalidone?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about clonidine and chlorthalidone?
Your pharmacist has information about clonidine and chlorthalidone written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of clonidine and chlorthalidone?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
-
dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, restless feeling, nausea,
vomiting, increased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed,
fainting, or seizure (convulsions);
-
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
-
red or purple spots on your skin;
-
confusion, hallucinations;
-
urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
-
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
-
swelling, rapid weight gain;
-
numbness or tingly feeling; or
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
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dry mouth, loss of appetite;
-
diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach;
-
dizziness, drowsiness;
-
headache;
-
feeling restless or nervous;
-
sleep problems (insomnia);
-
nightmares or unusual dreams;
-
breast swelling or tenderness;
-
mild itching or skin rash; or
-
impotence or loss of interest in sex.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about clonidine and chlorthalidone?
Do not use this medication if you are unable to urinate.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, or if you
have liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, allergies, gout, lupus, or diabetes.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of clonidine and
chlorthalidone.
Do not stop using this medication suddenly without first talking to your doctor.
Stopping this medication suddenly can cause nervousness, anxiety, severe high blood pressure, or
life-threatening symptoms. You will need to use less and less before you stop the medication
completely.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow
your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases,
drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold
or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for
seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to the side effects of clonidine and chlorthalidone.
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions.
Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Keep using clonidine and chlorthalidone as directed, even if you feel well. High blood
pressure often has no symptoms, so you may not know when your blood pressure is high. You
may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
What should I avoid while taking clonidine and chlorthalidone?
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions.
Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold
or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for
seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to the side effects of clonidine and chlorthalidone.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of clonidine and
chlorthalidone.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow
your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases,
drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds).
Clonidine and chlorthalidone can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may
result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the
sun.
What other drugs will affect clonidine and chlorthalidone?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
-
other blood pressure medications;
-
lithium;
-
digitalis (digoxin, Lanoxin);
-
insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth; or
-
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon),
amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine
(Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine
(Surmontil).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with clonidine and chlorthalidone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and
over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and
drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your
doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of clonidine and chlorthalidone?
