Clonidine for treating hot flashes

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
clonidine	Catapres

Clonidine is available by prescription only in pill form. Clonidine is approved for treating hot flashes.

How It Works

Clonidine is a blood pressure medication that relaxes the smooth muscle of blood vessels, causing them to widen, or dilate. This reduces the pressure of blood flow through the artery. Clonidine's effect on hot flashes is not well understood.

Why It Is Used

Clonidine can be used to treat hot flashes. Because it is a non-hormonal treatment, women with a history of breast cancer can use it without increasing the risk of further cancer cell growth (as in the case of estrogen treatment).

How Well It Works

Two randomized controlled trials have shown that clonidine can reduce the number of hot flashes suffered per day and can slightly reduce the length and severity of hot flashes. Clonidine treatment works for some women and not at all for others. Those taking a higher dose have reported more hot flash relief than those on a lower dose.^{1, 2}

Long-term treatment beyond a couple of months has yet to be researched, but researchers speculate that positive effects would continue over time.²

If you have high blood pressure and hot flashes, clonidine may be an effective choice for both problems.

Side Effects

Possible side effects of clonidine include:

• Drowsiness, fatigue.
• Dry mouth.
• Difficulty sleeping.
• Dizziness.
• Nausea.

Clonidine lowers blood pressure, so your blood pressure is monitored while you are taking this medication. With low blood pressure, sitting or standing up quickly may make you dizzy (called postural or orthostatic hypotension).

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

One study has reported that women taking clonidine at bedtime reported more trouble sleeping than those taking placebo, but no other side effects were observed.²

Do not suddenly stop taking clonidine. To stop clonidine use, slowly decrease your dose over 2 to 4 days to prevent nervousness, agitation, headache, confusion, and tremor along with a sudden rise in blood pressure (rebound hypertension).

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Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW Carrie Henley	Last Updated: August 4, 2006
Medical Review:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Tom Bailey, MD - Family Medicine Carla J. Herman, MD, MPH - Internal Medicine
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