An antihypertensive drug used to reduce high blood pressure.
Possible side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, and constipation.
Abrupt withdrawal of high doses can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure.
A drug used for HYPERTENSION, MIGRAINE, GILLES DE LA TOURETTE’S SYNDROME, and menopausal ?ushing. It can cause drowsiness so caution is needed when driving or using machinery.
n. a drug that interacts with *adrenoceptors in the brain to reduce sympathetic stimulation of the arteries (see catecholamines; noradrenaline). It is occasionally used to treat high blood pressure Common side-effects include drowsiness and dry mouth, and sudden withdrawal may worsen the hypertension.
In the clonidine suppression test, used in the diagnosis of *phaeochromocytoma, clonidine is administered orally and plasma catecholamines sampled then and at hourly intervals for three hours. In normal subjects clonidine suppresses release of catecholamines and plasma levels are reduced, but in people with phaeochromocytoma plasma catecholamines remain elevated.
Also known as Tourette’s syndrome, this is a hereditary condition of severe and multiple tics (see TIC) of motor or vocal origin. It usually starts in childhood and becomes chronic (with remissions). With a prevalance of one in 2,000, a dominant gene (see GENES) with variable expression may be responsible. The disorder is associated with explosive vocal tics and grunts, occasionally obscene (see COPROLALIA). The patient may also involuntarily repeat the words or imitate the actions of others (see PALILALIA). HALOPERIDOL, pimozide (an oral antipsychotic drug similar to CHLORPROMAZINE hydrochloride) and clonidine are among drugs that may help to control this distressing, but fortunately rare, disorder.... gilles de la tourette’s syndrome
Health Encyclopedia