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Clonidine?

My doc sent it in to the pharmacy to help with the WDs I am now having. I am reluctant to dd in any other pills, but I need some relief. Any experience with this drug? Side effects? Does it actually do anything? Thanks.
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Avatar universal
This medication worked on me strictly as a blood pressure medication and I got sooo groggy that it did zero use for my withdrawls or anything else. Just wanted to add that lol
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Avatar universal
So maybe should I wait until I am totally off the opiates to take it? My taper still has me at 15 mg per day but will be dropping again this coming week.
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3225128 tn?1347133998
Hi , I used it for the first 10 days of CT , My Dr. said it would help the W/D . It helped . Had no problems . Ron
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Avatar universal
Thanks! I will let you guys know!
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480448 tn?1426948538
I too would recommend trying the Clonidine.  As others have said, it is an anti-hypertensive medication that does help to relieve w/d symptoms quite successfully.  It will not take them away completely, but it will minimize some of the symptoms, by reducing the sympathetic nervous system response, such as tachycardia and high BP.

It's not a habit-forming drug, and really, the biggest consideration is some hypotension (low BP).  Most people don't have a problem with that as w/d will increase BP as it is, so it sort of balances things out.  Just watch out for excessive dizziness.  It likely will cause some drowsiness, too, which is usually welcome during w/d's.

It is usually prescribed at 0.1 mg or 0.2 mg for withdrawal and can be Rx'ed in either pill form, or patch form.  The brand name is Catapres. It's commonly used to treat w/d's, it's also used in treatment of alcohol detox, and smoking cessation.  It's also been used to treat insomnia, menstrual symptoms, and in its sustained release form, even ADHD.  I say give it a shot, there have been countless people who indicate it really helps to reduce the symptoms of w/d....including the cold sweats, anxiety, insomnia, etc.

Update us when you can!
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4622451 tn?1360595255
Yes I have used it every I have gone CT. And it does cut into the wd symptoms significantly for me. Eases RSL, anxiety and helps sleep. Just my experience. I do recommend it.

Good luck to you

Jimi
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Avatar universal
Thanks for the reply. I am so nervous to add another drug that I will just have to then get off of, but I just want to try to make this easier on myself (mostly for the sake of my poor family).
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4341997 tn?1514588688
hi.....i have never used clonidine but it's suppose to be for high BP and also can be used for anxiety from what i've read.  I am on a diff med for high BP.  Good luck and hope it works for you!  i've read that it helps alot of people calm down thru WDs.  
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