Course Summary

Clonidine is approved for the treatment of hypertension, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and for the treatment of opioid use and alcohol use. There are other uses for clonidine, including the treatment of anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder. Although clonidine has a proven antihypertensive effect, it is no longer considered a primary drug for hypertension. The Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC-8) guidelines for the treatment of hypertension recommends against using clonidine as initial therapy for the treatment of hypertension. Withdrawal syndrome and overdose can occur with clonidine use and there is an increasing concern about the rise in cases of pediatric accidental overdose. The prevention of clonidine withdrawal syndrome and toxicity is important for health clinicians to understand in order to be able to quickly diagnose and intervene when an adverse event is suspected.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• Introduction
• Pharmacological Profile
  • Mechanism of Action
  • Dosing and Dosing Adjustments
  • Adverse Reactions
  • Adverse Effects: Epidural
  • US Box Warning, Contraindications, and Warnings
  • Disease-Related Concerns
  • Medication-Related Issues
  • Administration Issues
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
  • Dietary Recommendations
  • Treatment Resistant Hypertension
  • Pressor Response
• Clonidine Withdrawal Syndrome
• Clonidine Overdose and Accidental Exposure
  • Naloxone
• Case Study: Clonidine Overdose
  • Accidental Overdose in a Toddler
  • Adult with Clonidine Overdose
• Summary

Author

Kellie Wilson, PharmD

Kellie Wilson is a Doctor of Pharmacy practicing in Anaconda, Montana, where she lives with her husband and four children. She attended the University of Montana in Missoula where she graduated in 2009 with a doctorate in pharmacy. She later worked in Boise, Idaho for a large, retail pharmacy for 2 years, and then returned home to Montana to oversee an independently owned retail and long-term care pharmacy in Anaconda. As an independent retail pharmacist she has become very involved in psychiatric pharmacy for two major behavioral health organizations that are located around all of Montana. Kellie’s passion is retail pharmacy because she enjoys the interactions with customers as well as the challenges and rewards of staying current with the continuous changes in the pharmacy field.