Clonidine Hydrocloride .2mg and Low Blood Pressure?

Question

My mom has high blood pressure so she takes Clonidine HCL, it states to take one by mouth then another in 2 hours. As a result she gets dizzy each time, which i read is a side effect of the drug. She took 1 at 11am and another at 2pm, by morning she tells me that she feels dizzy and that it caused her blood pressure to drop and therefore she doesn't want to take another until it goes back up because she doesn't want to worry about getting her blood pressure to low.

My question is, is it ok to take Clonidine HCL even when her blood pressure has lowered. Or is it best for her to ask her doctor.

I'm asking you instead of a doctor is because i didn't know if any of you or someone you know who has had this problem and rather or not you have been told that it was ok and just to keep taking it as prescribed. Besides i think the doctors around here don't know everything.

By the way, the rest of it says to take once daily. Also my mom is about 60 years old. She also takes other meds.

Answer 1

Please check that dose with her doctor or pharmacist. It sounds a bit unusual to take  clonidine tablets separated by 3 hours. I'm thinking that may have been the dose for the first day only-in an attempt to quickly get pressure down-this is done if the pressure is really high. You mentioned the rest of it said "take once daily" indicating the dose may be once a day. Taking too much clonidine can cause low blood pressure and dizziness. Make no changes until you speak to her doctor or pharmacist. Only the doctor can change the dose but the pharmacist may help you interpret the directions correctly.

Answer 2

I would call the Doctor and inform them about the symptoms your mom is having.  It is normal to take 0.2 mg 2-3 times a day for a usual maintenance dose (up to 2.4 mg/day).  If her systolic pressure ( top number) less than 100 or diastolic pressure (bottom number) is less than 60 I would call asap.  My suggestion is to have the blood pressure numbers and list of medications when you call the Doctor.  That way he knows what you mean when you say low blood pressure.  I hope it gets better for both of you.