What are the Most Common Uses for the Clonidine Patch?

Clonidine patch, also referred to as clonidine transdermal system, is a medication that delivers a constant amount of clonidine through the skin for about seven days. Its most common use is in the treatment of high blood pressure or hypertension. This skin patch is also sometimes prescribed to treat women with hot flashes and for those who want to stop smoking and drinking alcohol. This treatment may also help individuals with opiate withdrawal symptoms and children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is usually sold in a four-pouched system with either a 0.1-milligram (mg), a 0.2-mg or a 0.3-mg does per day for a one week period.

High blood pressure is diagnosed when the blood pressure reading is 140 over 90 (140/90) and higher. Symptoms include shortness of breath, blurring of eyesight, and headache. Many individuals with high blood pressure are given maintenance drugs to keep their blood pressure within normal ranges. The use of clonidine patch may be combined with other medications for treatment, often depending on the patient's health status. It generally works by causing the blood vessels to relax and decreasing the heart rate, thus causing blood to easily flow inside the body.

Menopause is the period when a woman stops having her monthly period or menstruation. Most of these women experience hot flashes where they feel warmth spreading in several parts of the body, particularly in the chest and the head. Hot flashes are frequently followed by sweating. A clonidine patch may sometimes be used to help relieve these symptoms. In individuals who want to stop smoking and drinking alcohol, the clonidine skin patch can also be used as an aid during their therapy.

Opiates are drugs that can promote dependence on users. Examples of opiates are codeine and morphine, which are mostly used to treat pain. Long-term users can experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking these drugs. These include sweating, muscle aches, agitation, vomiting, and diarrhea. When patients are given the clonidine patch for treatment, most of these symptoms are frequently improved.

ADHD is mostly seen in children, although it can also occur during adulthood. When not diagnosed and managed during early childhood, this condition can continue through the teenage years and even through adulthood. Many children with ADHD find it difficult to concentrate on tasks, finish a project, or stay in one place. The clonidine patch has also been found useful in the treatment of these children.