Clonidine Extended Release Tablets

Clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets are indicated for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as monotherapy and as adjunctive therapy to stimulant medications [see CLINICAL STUDIES (14)].

Controlled Substance

Clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets are not a controlled substance and have no known potential for abuse or dependence.

Clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets are a centrally acting alpha2-adrenergic agonist available as 0.1 mg or 0.2 mg extended-release tablets for oral administration. Each 0.1 mg and 0.2 mg tablet is equivalent to 0.087 mg and 0.174 mg, respectively, of the free base.

The inactive ingredients are colloidal silicon dioxide, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose and sodium lauryl sulfate. The formulation is designed to delay the absorption of active drug in order to decrease peak to trough plasma concentration differences. Clonidine hydrochloride is an imidazoline derivative and exists as a mesomeric compound. The chemical name is 2-(2,6-dichlorophenylamino)-2-imidazoline hydrochloride. The following is the structural formula:

Clonidine hydrochloride is an odorless, bitter, white, crystalline substance soluble in water and alcohol.

Advise the patient to read the FDA-approved Patient Labeling (Patient Information)

Dosage and Administration

Advise patients that clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets must be swallowed whole, never crushed, cut, or chewed, and may be taken with or without food. When initiating treatment, provide dosage escalation instructions [see Dosage and Administration (2.1)].

Missed Dose

If patients miss a dose of clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets, advise them to skip the dose and take the next dose as scheduled and not to take more than the prescribed total daily amount of clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets in any 24-hour period [see Dosage and Administration (2.4)].

Hypotension/Bradycardia Advise patients who have a history of syncope or may have a condition that predisposes them to syncope, such as hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, or dehydration, to avoid becoming dehydrated or overheated [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].

Sedation and Somnolence

Instruct patients to use caution when driving a car or operating hazardous machinery until they know how they will respond to treatment with clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets. Also advise patients to avoid the use of clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets with other centrally active depressants and with alcohol [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2)].

Rebound Hypertension

Advise patients not to discontinue clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets abruptly [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].

Allergic Reactions

Advise patients to discontinue clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets and seek immediate medical attention if any signs or symptoms of a hypersensitivity reaction occur, such as generalized rash, urticaria, or angioedema [see Warnings and Precautions (5.4)].

NDC 10370-302-02
Clonidine Hydrochloride
Extended-Release Tablets
0.2 mg
60-count

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how this medicine (clonidine extended-release tablets) affects you.
• To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
• Check blood pressure and heart rate as the doctor has told you. Talk with the doctor.
• If you are taking this medicine and have high blood pressure, talk with your doctor before using OTC products that may raise blood pressure. These include cough or cold drugs, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and some natural products or aids.
• Be careful in hot weather or while being active. Drink lots of fluids to stop fluid loss.
• Good mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help with dry mouth. See a dentist often.
• Avoid alcohol or other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• Talk with your doctor to find out what to do if you throw up after taking a dose of this medicine (clonidine extended-release tablets).
• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with care. You could have more side effects.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using this medicine (clonidine extended-release tablets) while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dry mouth.
• Hard stools (constipation).
• Dizziness.
• Feeling sleepy.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Not able to sleep.
• Bad dreams.
• Not hungry.
• Stomach pain.
• Feeling irritable.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.