Hello,
My son has been prescribed clonidine for tics and to help him eat more. His Dr. wrote a prescription for .2mg to be taken nightly around 7:00pm. From what I have read on this board this seems to be a high starting dose. I am wondering if I should half the pills for a week or two. His doctor made it sound like he was giving him a very small dose and when I asked if there were any unwanted side-effects could I just stop this med and he said yes because it was such a low dose. I knew from reading about it on the list that everyone says they start slow and to never just stop taking it, you have to wean off it. I am planning to start it on Friday evening so any comments would be appreciated.
I have posted on the ADHD and meds board and really have not gotten a response.
Gail
Hi, my 8yr old son has been on clonidine for 8 months (strattera aggravated tics) and it has helped. We started at .1 at night, then moved up to 1.5, again at night. It makes him drowsy. No side effects, just fatigue adjusting to meds. His tics have diminished. He is still inattentive and has trouble staying on task at school, and we still have behavior issues at home. We may up dose in future. We do not have many options due to tics. It has not turned out to be a miracle pill but has helped. Since Clonidine is a blood pressure med, side effects and long term effects are not as extreme as some of the stimulants. There has been no weight loss or gain. He has ADHD, along with sensory issues. I have not found many parents using this med for their children. Good luck. We also see a behavior doctor.
Trish
IS he seeing a Psych? or a ped? I would recommend a Psych if you are not already seeing one. Peds usually do not know enough about adhd to prescribe meds. and tend to start kids on high doses of meds.
I would start low and go slow, this is not a med to fool around with, and could cause problems if started too high, or stopped suddenly.
Edbson,
He does see a Psych. When the doctor gave me the script I did'nt know normal dosages. Thank goodness I read about it and I even called our pharmacist and she said the dose is fine, that the maxium is .3 mg a day. I went ahead and cut the dose in half and made it .1mg. If I feel he needs more at night after about a week I might add a 1/2. I did not call the doctor because he felt .2 mg to start is just dandy. This medicine stuff can be so stressful!!!!!!!!!!! He has tolerated the .1mg fine so far. Sometimes I wonder would they prescribe the same dosages if it were their children!
Thanks for your responses. I have learned so much from all of you.
Gail
I explained the dosages to DD's psych once, was the last time we saw him!