Clonidine extended-release (US brand name Kapvay® and generic) is a centrally acting alpha2-adrenergic agonist. Here is basic information about this medication.
FDA-approved indications
Treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy to stimulant medications
Dosage
Dosage needs to be individualized according to therapeutic needs and response. Initiated with 0.1 mg at bedtime and then adjusted in 0.1 mg/day increments at weekly intervals until the desired response is achieved. Doses should be taken twice a day, with either an equal or higher split dosage being given at bedtime.
Dosage Guidance
Starting: 0.1 mg/day at bedtime and then adjusted weekly as below until desired response
Morning: 0.1 mg/day, Bedtime: 0.1 mg/day (Total: 0.2 mg/day)
Morning: 0.1 mg/day, Bedtime: 0.2 mg/day (Total: 0.3 mg/day)
Morning: 0.2 mg/day, Bedtime: 0.2 mg/day (Total: 0.4 mg/day)
Dosing Instructions
- Tablets should not be crushed, chewed or broken before swallowing.
- Do not substitute for other clonidine products on a mg-per-mg basis, because of differing pharmacokinetic profiles
- Doses higher than 0.4 mg/day have not been evaluated and therefore not recommended.
- Since it has not been systematically evaluated for long-term maintenance treatment, physicians should periodically assess usefulness if prescribed for extended periods.
Discontinuation
The total dose should be tapered in decrements of no more than 0.1 mg every 3 to 7 days
Dosage forms and strengths
Extended-release tablets (brand name and generic): 0.1 mg and 0.2 mg
Pharmacokinetics
The half-life of clonidine is about 12 hours but in some persons, it may extend even up to 24 hours (Almanac et al., 2014).
Important! Please refer to the full Prescribing Information (see link below) before prescribing this medication.
Related Pages
Clonidine for ADHD
Guanfacine versus clonidine for ADHD
Does guanfacine work for ADHD in adults?
Does guanfacine work for ADHD in adults?
References
Prescribing information for clonidine (Kapvay®) extended-release tablets
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