The Truth About Clonidine For ADHD Treatment
This scared me to death.
I read that there have been four sudden deaths due to cardiac complications in children who have taken clonidine and Ritalin together.
Clonidine has been effective in treating the hyperactivity associated with ADHD when taken in combination with Ritalin.
Clonidine for ADHD treatment is relatively new and for that reason, the drug companies state in their literature that the safety and effectiveness of the drug in children under 12 has not been established.
The research and testing done by the drug companies prior to releasing a new drug often does not involve children.
Clonidine side effects for adults and children are different so that is why the drug companies cannot guarantee that the drug is safe for children just because it is safe for adults.
Although clonidine for ADHD is known to be a very effective treatment in some cases, you and your doctor may not feel comfortable giving it to your child until there is more established data out regarding its side effects and dangers.
If your doctor does decide to prescribe clonidine, it is important to monitor your child closely because of the potential side effects.
Common clonidine side effects include constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry eyes, dry mouth, and decreased heart rate.
Infrequent side effects of taking clonidine include swelling, itching, skin rash, hives, anxiety, headache, fatigue, and sleep disorders, to name a few.
Rare side effects include nausea, hallucinations, psychosis, depression, and heart rhythm disorders.
As previously mentioned, clonidine for ADHD is often prescribed along with Ritalin.
The combination of these two drugs can be dangerous and even life-threatening in some cases so it's important that both the doctor and parents take extreme caution and closely monitor their child when they are taken together.
If your child is taking clonidine, it is important that he doesn't stop the drug suddenly because this can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms that can possibly be fatal.
Because of the dangers of clonidine side effects, it is advisable to research all of the treatment options out there and consider prescription drugs a last resort.
There are natural treatment options that are very effective when combined with lifestyle/dietary changes and behavioral therapy.
At the very least, natural treatments are very effective as complementary therapy to conventional treatment.
In conclusion, think carefully before giving your child clonidine for ADHD.
Its safety for young children is still shrouded in controversy.
Talk to your doctor about your options and take your child's personal needs into consideration when deciding on a treatment plan.
Remember that if the potential side effects of clonidine and other ADHD drugs worry you, there are safer alternatives.
Keep in mind that drugs are not a cure-all and it's important to take other factors such as diet and lifestyle into consideration when deciding on a treatment that's best for your child.
I read that there have been four sudden deaths due to cardiac complications in children who have taken clonidine and Ritalin together.
Clonidine has been effective in treating the hyperactivity associated with ADHD when taken in combination with Ritalin.
Clonidine for ADHD treatment is relatively new and for that reason, the drug companies state in their literature that the safety and effectiveness of the drug in children under 12 has not been established.
The research and testing done by the drug companies prior to releasing a new drug often does not involve children.
Clonidine side effects for adults and children are different so that is why the drug companies cannot guarantee that the drug is safe for children just because it is safe for adults.
Although clonidine for ADHD is known to be a very effective treatment in some cases, you and your doctor may not feel comfortable giving it to your child until there is more established data out regarding its side effects and dangers.
If your doctor does decide to prescribe clonidine, it is important to monitor your child closely because of the potential side effects.
Common clonidine side effects include constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry eyes, dry mouth, and decreased heart rate.
Infrequent side effects of taking clonidine include swelling, itching, skin rash, hives, anxiety, headache, fatigue, and sleep disorders, to name a few.
Rare side effects include nausea, hallucinations, psychosis, depression, and heart rhythm disorders.
As previously mentioned, clonidine for ADHD is often prescribed along with Ritalin.
The combination of these two drugs can be dangerous and even life-threatening in some cases so it's important that both the doctor and parents take extreme caution and closely monitor their child when they are taken together.
If your child is taking clonidine, it is important that he doesn't stop the drug suddenly because this can lead to serious withdrawal symptoms that can possibly be fatal.
Because of the dangers of clonidine side effects, it is advisable to research all of the treatment options out there and consider prescription drugs a last resort.
There are natural treatment options that are very effective when combined with lifestyle/dietary changes and behavioral therapy.
At the very least, natural treatments are very effective as complementary therapy to conventional treatment.
In conclusion, think carefully before giving your child clonidine for ADHD.
Its safety for young children is still shrouded in controversy.
Talk to your doctor about your options and take your child's personal needs into consideration when deciding on a treatment plan.
Remember that if the potential side effects of clonidine and other ADHD drugs worry you, there are safer alternatives.
Keep in mind that drugs are not a cure-all and it's important to take other factors such as diet and lifestyle into consideration when deciding on a treatment that's best for your child.
