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Uses

What is epidural clonidine used for?

Epidural clonidine is commonly used to treat certain types of severe pain. 

Epidural clonidine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

For information about clonidine for blood pressure see Clonidine (Catapres, Nexiclon XR).

For information about clonidine for ADHD, see Clonidine (Kapvay, Onyda XR).

How does epidural clonidine work (mechanism of action)?

Epidural clonidine targets specific receptors in the body, which prevent pain signals from reaching your brain. 

How is epidural clonidine supplied (dosage forms)?

Epidural clonidine is available in an injectable form that is given by a healthcare provider.

How should I store epidural clonidine?

Epidural clonidine is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. You will not store it at home.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of epidural clonidine?

The most common side effects of epidural clonidine are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Low blood pressure (see below)
  • Low blood pressure when standing up
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Heart rate changes (see below)
  • Sudden increase in blood pressure (rebound hypertension)
  • Drowsiness (see below)
  • Fever

There may be other side effects of epidural clonidine that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of epidural clonidine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of epidural clonidine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Epidural clonidine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop receiving epidural clonidine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Epidural clonidine may cause low blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.

  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or tired

Infections. Epidural clonidine can increase your risk of infections at the catheter site, including serious infections. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have a skin infection or any of the following symptoms.

  • Fever, sweats, chills, or muscle aches
  • Pain, redness, tenderness, pus, or swelling at the catheter site
  • Meningitis symptoms including confusion, headache, numbness of the face, or neck stiffness 

Heart Rate Changes. Epidural clonidine can make your heart beat slower than normal (bradycardia). Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of bradycardia. 

  • Feeling lightheaded, dizziness, or fainting
  • Confusion
  • Feeling weak or easily tired 
  • Slow heartbeat or feeling of skipped heartbeats 
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

Drowsiness and Breathing Problems. Epidural clonidine may cause slow or shallow breathing, especially if you have breathing problems from another condition or take other medicines that can slow your breathing. Epidural clonidine may also cause drowsiness. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop severe sleepiness or trouble breathing, especially when you start epidural clonidine or when your dose is increased. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Changes in the color of your skin, including bluish color to your lips and fingernails
  • Confusion
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
  • Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding or skipping heartbeat
  • Slow or shallow breathing
  • Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake

Withdrawal Reactions. If clonidine is suddenly stopped, it could lead to withdrawal symptoms. Do not stop using clonidine without talking with your healthcare provider. If your infusion is stopped by accident because of a blockage or another reason, call your healthcare provider right away. Also call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Increased blood pressure
  • Headache
  • Increased heart rate
  • Nervousness
  • Chest tightness
  • Nausea
  • Flushing

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use epidural clonidine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not receive epidural clonidine.

  • Clonidine
  • Duraclon
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific epidural clonidine products they stock.

Injection Site Infection. Epidural clonidine should not be used if you have an infection on your injection site. 

Drug Interactions. Epidural clonidine should not be used while you are using certain other medicines. Before receiving epidural clonidine, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Easy Bruising or Bleeding. Epidural clonidine should not be used if you have a condition that causes you to bruise or bleed easily. 

What should I know about epidural clonidine before using it?

Epidural clonidine is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital or clinic. 

Epidural clonidine can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how epidural clonidine affects you.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using epidural clonidine?

Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if epidural clonidine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.

  • Kidney problems
  • Depression
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Heart problems including heart rhythm problems or a slow heart rate

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how epidural clonidine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should receive epidural clonidine while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Epidural clonidine passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should stop breastfeeding or stop epidural clonidine.

Interactions

Does epidural clonidine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between epidural clonidine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect epidural clonidine. The risk of drowsiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while receiving epidural clonidine.

Does epidural clonidine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before receiving epidural clonidine.

  • A blood thinner, which is a medicine used to treat or prevent blood clots
  • A barbiturate, such as phenobarbital, butalbital, or primidone, which is a medicine that may be used to treat insomnia, migraines, or seizures
  • An opioid, such as oxycodone, morphine, codeine, or fentanyl, which is a medicine used for certain types of pain
  • A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
  • A calcium channel blocker, such as diltiazem (Cardizem CD and others) or verapamil (Verelan, Verelan PM), which is a medicine used for high blood pressure or other conditions
  • A beta-blocker, such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others), atenolol (Tenormin), or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • A local anesthetic, such as lidocaine, benzocaine, or prilocaine
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin), which is a medicine used to treat irregular heartbeat and some types of heart failure
  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, or medicines for anxiety

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with epidural clonidine. Always check with your healthcare provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much epidural clonidine?

If you or someone else has used too much epidural clonidine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of epidural clonidine?

Epidural clonidine is usually given by a healthcare provider in a hospital. Your healthcare provider will make sure you are receiving epidural clonidine as scheduled.