Clonidine injection

What is this medicine?

CLONIDINE (KLOE ni deen) is used for relief of severe pain that is not controlled by other pain medications.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for infusion into the spine. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

• anxiety, nervousness

• chest pain

• dizziness or fainting spells

• fever, chills

• increased sweating

• fast, irregular heartbeat

• pain or difficulty passing urine

• swelling of feet or legs

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation

• difficulty sleeping

• headache

• unusually weak or tired

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures like phenobarbital

• certain medicines for blood pressure, heart disease, irregular heart beat

• certain medicines for depression, anxiety, or psychotic disturbances

• prescription pain medicines

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• heart or blood vessel disease

• injection site infection

• kidney disease

• recent heart attack or stroke

• an unusual or allergic reaction to clonidine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may increase this effect. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

If you have an epidural catheter, report any pain or redness at the catheter site to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible.