Clonidine information sheet

Clonidine is available in different formulations such as tablets, patches (applied to your child’s skin) and injections. 

Unfortunately, clonidine is not readily available as a liquid formulation. Some hospital or compounding pharmacies may be able to prepare a liquid preparation to be given via mouth or feeding tube. Our team will discuss which clonidine formulation is best for your child.  

Please note, if your child uses clonidine patches, the packaging contains clonidine patches and additional nonmedicated patches to place over the clonidine patch, to keep it in place if needed.  

Your child may be started on regular doses of clonidine as a “background” dosing regimen. This may be given as oral/enteral doses, a patch on the skin or as injections (either intravenous or under the skin) two to four times per day. 

Additional doses can be used if required. These are often called “breakthrough” doses.  

The dose needed is very individual. Some children need more than others. 

• The correct dose is the amount that eases your child's symptoms. 
• Your doctor will work out a safe starting dose, which may need to be increased or decreased.
• So that your child achieves the best possible symptom control, with the least side effects, any changes will be monitored carefully by our team. 

Clonidine may cause the following unwanted side effects. 

Not everybody experiences side effects and it is important to remember these are not an allergic reaction, and are often temporary and manageable. If your child experiences any of these, please inform us.  

• drowsiness 
• dizziness 
• rash. Some children may develop a localised skin reaction / rash related to the clonidine patch. This may require early medical review.
• itch 
• constipation

The following side effects are rare, but may need medical attention: 

• slow or irregular heart rate
• low blood pressure
• altered liver function. 

Contact us or your child’s primary care team for advice if your child develops these. 
 

To ensure safe use of this medication, please:

• be familiar with your child’s medicine including the name, brand, strength and dose. It is a good idea to have this information written down 
• store your child’s medicine in a safe place, out of reach of children, pets and vulnerable people. Ensure it is out of direct sunlight and not near heat sources like heaters  
• measure your child’s doses carefully and accurately 
• know how to give your child’s medicine, for example, know if a tablet can be crushed, or if a liquid can be mixed with another substance 
• give your child’s medicines at times prescribed. Setting up reminders may help  
• record when you have given medicines to your child 
• record the effects of medicines, especially any side effects or unusual reactions, and tell your child’s doctor 
• know what to do if you forget to give your child a dose, for example, whether you give it when you remember or wait until the next scheduled dose? NB. Never double a dose to make up for a missed dose 
• do not intentionally miss or change your child’s medicines without telling your doctor
  ensure you always have adequate supply of medicines so you never run out, particularly over weekends or public holidays
• return any unused, unwanted or expired medicines to any pharmacy for appropriate disposal. Do not put medicines in the bin or down the drain.