Clonidine Withdrawal Symptoms and Signs, and Detoxification

What Are Clonidine Withdrawal Symptoms?

Withdrawal from clonidine is considered a serious medical issue due to the possibility of the patient experiencing a hypertensive crisis. This crisis results from clonidine rebound or rebound hypertension, a condition in which the lowered blood pressure caused by clonidine use suddenly rises. Other clonidine withdrawal symptoms may include hallucinations, nausea, and vomiting or rapid changes in the patient’s mood.

How Long Do Clonidine Withdrawals Last?

The timeline for clonidine detox is different from other drugs since you need to withdrawal slowly. Because of this, the duration and length of detox can last several weeks.

Clonidine Detox Process

Detoxing within a treatment facility ensures that the patient cannot access greater doses of clonidine than those given by facility personnel. Going through detox in a facility also guarantees medical help if it’s needed during the treatment process. Because clonidine rebound is a significant danger during withdrawal, having medical personnel present 24-hours a day can mean an instant response to any hypertensive crisis that may occur as a professional tapering process lowers the chances of patients experiencing the condition tremendously.

Clonidine detox begins with an initial medical exam to determine the patient’s physical condition upon entry into the treatment program. This pre-detox period can last up to 24 hours, as medical personnel determines both the patient’s general medical condition and drug history.

Detoxification of the patient’s body begins after the pre-detox period ends. Detoxification using the tapering process can take up to a few weeks to complete. The process consists of lowering the dosage of clonidine given to the patient in daily steps until dosage levels reach zero.

The initial dosage level determines the likely length of treatment, with higher dosages requiring more steps for completion. The detox period can be extended, though, if the patient begins to display withdrawal symptoms during the process.

Lowering the doses daily allows the patient to readjust continuously to the lower levels of clonidine in the body without beginning withdrawal from the drug’s sudden removal. If at any time during the process withdrawal symptoms begin to appear, the medical personnel overseeing the process may decide to return to earlier higher dosage levels to provide symptom relief before continuing to lower the doses.

When the doses stop entirely, the patient’s body should have adjusted enough that any withdrawal symptoms experienced are only mild compared to those possible from a stoppage at the former dosage level.

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How Long Does it Take to Detox from Clonidine?

The timeline for detox from Clonidine is different than other medications. It is important that one does not stop cold turkey from taking clonidine but reduce your dosage over time. For this reason, detox can take several weeks if the user is taking a higher dosage. After the body is significantly detoxed, the user has the option to seek a program for addiction recovery.

Clonidine Rehab After Detox

After Detox, patients undergo a series of counseling sessions intended to provide them with the tools necessary to live a clean and sober lifestyle in either inpatient or outpatient settings. These tools include methods for resisting the psychological dependence caused by the use of the drug. Counseling isn’t limited to the detox period alone. After inpatient rehab, counseling sessions are often continued to deal with any drug-related issues that may crop up soon after patients leave the facility.

For those patients suffering from a previous medical condition that led to the prescribing of clonidine by their physician, a full medical checkup is required to help determine the best treatment available for the preexisting condition to replace the clonidine medication. The presence of medical personnel is important at this stage to make certain the preexisting condition is under control while tapering off from the clonidine.

It’s important that a patient begins treatment for clonidine withdrawal as early as possible. Locating a treatment facility when time is short can be difficult without help. Help is available, though, by calling our national toll-free hotline at American Addiction Centers.

Can I Quit Clonidine at Home?

If the user has been using higher doses or has been using for a long time, however, they will need to seek help from a professional detox center. With clonidine detox, it is important to ease into withdrawal from clonidine to relieve the intensity of the symptoms.

If you are not able to detox at home, seek alternative help from a detox center. It’s always best to consult with a professional before attempting to get clean from clonidine.

Clonidine Information at a Glance
Medication Name, Costs	Class of Medicine
Generic Name: Clonidine Generic Name Variations: N/A Chemical Name: N-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-2-amine Brand Name: Catapres, Kapvay, Nexiclon Brand Name Variations: N/A Cost/Price: Varies	Used to Treat Addiction? Sometimes used to treat heroin addictions, and lessen the effects of opiate or alcohol withdrawals Function or Use at Low Dose: varies Function or Use at High Dose: varies Chemical Makeup: C9H9Cl2N3 System: Sympatholytic Duration of Action: Varies
Form, Intake, and Dosage	Interactions and Complications
Drug Forms: Liquid and tablet Administration Routes: Oral injection or transdermal Dosage: Varies based on body weight Overdose: Varies- generally over .6mg per day	Alcohol Interaction: Intensifies effects of alcohol Illicit Drugs: Used as a withdrawal aid Prescription Medications: Combined with other prescriptions as a pain reliever Contraindications: Varies
Effects and Adverse Reactions	Substance Abuse
Short-Term: Ataxia, drowsiness, abnormal coordination, dizziness, memory loss, fatigue Long-Term: depression, behavioral problems, a fatal overdose is possible	Risk of Substance Abuse: High Signs of Abuse: Drowsiness, confusion, coma
Physiological Problem Signs and Symptoms	Dependence and Addiction Issues
Short-Term: Dry mouth, tiredness, weakness, nausea, insomnia, severe headaches Long-Term: Possible respiratory and heart dysfunction	Risk of Substance Abuse: Low, transfer of addiction moderate risk Signs of Abuse: Depression, anxiety, insomnia
Legal Schedules and Ratings
Controlled Substances Act Rating: Schedule IV

How Long Do Clonidine Withdrawals Last?

The timeline for clonidine detox is different from other drugs since you need to withdrawal slowly. Because of this, the duration and length of detox can last several weeks.

Are There any Home Remedies for Getting Clean Safely?

Generally, most people who have been using clonidine will be able to detox at home in a natural way. This is not some sort of home remedy. If the user has been using higher doses or has been using for a long time, however, they will need to seek help from a professional detox center. With clonidine detox, it is important to ease into withdrawal from clonidine to relieve the intensity of the symptoms.

If you are not able to detox at home, seek alternative help from a detox center. It’s always best to consult with a professional before attempting to get clean from clonidine. Get in touch with addiction specialists by calling or visiting our locator page.

How Long Does it Take to Detox from Clonidine?

The timeline for detox from Clonidine is different than other medications. It is important that one does not stop cold turkey taking clonidine but reduce your dosage over time. For this reason, detox can take several weeks if the user is taking a higher dosage. After the body is significantly detoxed, the user has the option to seek a program for addiction recovery.

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