Clonidinedosage

The dose of clonidine extended-release tablets must be adjusted according to the patient's individual blood pressure response. The following is a general guide to its administration in adults.

Initial dose: 0.17 mg once daily. Elderly patients may benefit from a lower initial dose. Initial dose is recommended to be administered at bedtime.

Maintenance dose: Further increments of 0.09 mg once daily may be made at weekly intervals if necessary until the desired response is achieved. The therapeutic doses most commonly employed have ranged from 0.17 mg to 0.52 mg once daily.

Patients with renal impairment: Up-titrate slowly

2.1 Initial

Dose Dosing with clonidine extended-release tablets should be initiated at 0.17 mg once daily. Elderly patients may benefit from a lower initial dose. Initial dose is recommended to be administered at bedtime.

2.2 Maintenance

Dose Further increments of 0.09 mg once daily may be made at weekly intervals if necessary until the desired response is achieved. The therapeutic doses most commonly employed have ranged from 0.17 mg to 0.52 mg once daily. Clonidine extended-release tablets were studied at doses of 0.17 to 0.52 mg once daily. Doses higher than 0.52 mg per day were not evaluated and are not recommended.

2.3 Patients

Currently Using Clonidine Hydrochloride Immediate-Release Tablets The recommended dose of clonidine extended-release tablets for patients who are currently taking clonidine hydrochloride immediate-release tablets is provided in the table below. Clonidine Extended-Release Tablets Equivalent dose of Clonidine HCl Immediate-Release Tablets Initial Dose 0.17 mg once daily 0.1 mg twice daily Maintenance Dose Titration Increments 0.09 mg once daily 0.05 mg twice daily Common Doses Used for Blood Pressure Effect 0.17 mg once daily 0.1 mg twice daily 0.34 mg once daily 0.2 mg twice daily 0.52 mg once daily 0.3 mg twice daily

2.4 Renal Impairment

Adjust dosage according to the degree of impairment. In patients with end stage kidney disease on maintenance dialysis, start at 0.09 mg per day and up-titrate slowly to minimize dose related adverse events. Monitor patients carefully, especially for bradycardia, sedation and hypotension. Only a minimal amount of clonidine is removed during routine hemodialysis. In patients with moderate to severe kidney impairment not undergoing dialysis, initiate clonidine at the same dose as for patients without renal impairment. Up-titrate slowly and monitor for dose-related adverse events.