Can you use Clonidine for Opioid Withdrawal?
Is it effective to use clonidine for opioid withdrawal? Clonidine is an alpha 2 adrenergic agonist created to help manage blood pressure. However, researchers are finding that it has been proven to be beneficial for other off-label uses such as treatment in opioid use disorder. In fact, it is now a common medication used in off-label purposes to help with opioid withdrawal and alcohol withdrawal.
Because it is not a scheduled medication, clonidine is frequently prescribed to help manage opioid addiction symptoms. It helps by blocking chemicals in the brain that trigger the sympathetic nervous system, which helps reduce the length of the detox process. The drug can also be used after medical detox to help clients with continued symptoms of anxiety and other co-occurring disorders.
What is Clonidine?
Clonidine is a prescription blood pressure medication. It works by altering the nerve impulses in the brain. This relaxes blood vessels, allowing blood to move unrestrictedly throughout the body and therefore helping to reduce and lower blood pressure. The antihypertensive medication is FDA approved to treat high blood pressure, symptoms of ADHD in children, Tourette’s Syndrome tics, cancer-related pain and opioid withdrawal in babies.
In 2020, American doctors issued an estimated 9 million prescriptions for clonidine. The drug has become so popular with off-label uses for substance use withdrawals that almost 80% of clonidine prescriptions are now used in substance treatment facilities for medical detox.
It is only available as a prescription and for short-term use. There are also generic versions of the drug that are more affordable.
Common side effects of Clonidine use
- Vomiting and nausea
- Weakness
- Headache
- Constipation and diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Sedation
- Low blood pressure
- Fatigue
- Dry mouth
- Mental health issues and feeling emotionally unstable
How does Clonidine for Opioid Withdrawal work?
Clonidine has many uses. One of them is a treatment to help manage opioid withdrawal. The drug binds to the alpha 2 receptors in the brain, which inhibits the release of norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is a chemical associated with managing the body’s response to stress. The drug also lessens the heightened activity of the sympathetic nervous system that occurs during opioid withdrawal, which can also help alleviate distressing symptoms. This ultimately results in feelings of sedation and reduces the overall feelings of pain.
Clonidine can help alleviate uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms typically caused by opioid addiction. It is also used to manage these withdrawal symptoms that can include anxiety, depression and seizures. It is a typical drug used in medication-assisted treatments and is usually taken in an inpatient setting. In some cases, it can be prescribed in outpatient settings when a patient is trying to treat continued withdrawal.
The drug does not have any prescribing requirements or restrictions such as the ones imposed on buprenorphine or methadone. This makes it unique in that it’s well tolerated by many opioid users and can be regularly prescribed for short-term treatment of opioid withdrawal. Many studies have found that patients on clonidine are less likely to experience intense cravings for opioids and can help them maintain sobriety.
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Benefits of Clonidine for Opioid Withdrawal
- Helps to reduce physical symptoms of withdrawal from opioids and alcohol
- Can produce sedative effects that can lead to a reduction in blood pressure
- Can help reduce and manage symptoms of anxiety, agitation, sweating, muscle aches, elevated heart rate, insomnia and hyperarousal
- Safe when taken as prescribed for short-term treatment
- Helps reduce hyperactivity to minimize the severity of withdrawal
- Helps users maintain longer abstinence from opioids by diminishing cravings
How to Take Clonidine for Opioid Withdrawal
It can take an average of 7 days for a person to detox from opioids with clonidine. It is usually taken in tablet or a skin patch form. When taking a tablet, one is given every few hours on the first day, and then doses are adjusted over the next few days depending on the severity of withdrawal symptoms being experienced.
When applying a skin patch, it is typically placed to deliver constant medication. It can take up to 2 days for the patch to reach a steady state. This means on the first day of patch use, patients may also need to take a tablet in order to find some immediate symptom relief.
Other medications that can help with Opioid Withdrawal
- Lofexidine – Lofexidine is a non opioid medication FDA approved to help manage opioid withdrawal symptoms. Similar to clonidine, it is also an alpha 2 adrenergic agonist.
- Buprenorphine – Buprenorphine is a narcotic that binds to the same receptors in the brain as opioids. It is used to help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings by providing a partial opioid effect to help a person ease into withdrawal and minimize the risks of dependence and overdose.
- Methadone – Methadone is a long-acting opioid that is used to help alleviate withdrawal and cravings by providing controlled doses of opioids. It is generally used as part of a tapering process that gradually weans a person off opioids with minimal withdrawal symptoms.
- Naltrexone – Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist that works by blocking the effects of opioids in the brain and helps to reduce cravings.
Is it possible to develop an addiction to Clonidine?
Clonidine is safe when taken as prescribed. However, ingesting the drug in larger amounts than recommended and for a longer period than recommended can lead to adverse side effects such as high blood pressure. There is a risk of developing a dependence on the drug, which will then lead to uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms. Suddenly stopping drug use can also cause intense withdrawal symptoms.
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We specialize in treating addiction and other co-occurring disorders, such as PTSD. Our Admissions specialists are available to walk you through the best options for treating your addiction.
Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
Clonidine is a blood pressure medication that has been successfully used for many other off-label purposes such as the treatment of alcohol and opioid withdrawal. It helps reduce symptoms such as sweating, hot flashes, watery eyes and restlessness. It has also been shown to be useful in lower symptoms of anxiety and treating seizures, which are common symptoms in alcohol withdrawal.
Clonidine is a drug that has been proven to help patients effectively detox from opioids. But it is not recommended for long-term management of opioid use disorder and withdrawal symptoms. Dealing with opioid use disorders and withdrawal is best treated under a professional behavioral health program.
At Hotel California by the Sea, we provide treatment at all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-based treatment methods such as group therapy, CBT, and DBT. Our opioid use disorder program is dedicated to helping clients reach their goals of sobriety and overcome their addiction.
References:
https://www.addictioncenter.com/treatment/medications/clonidine
https://www.healthline.com/health/clonidine-for-opioid-withdrawal
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/bulletin/bulletin_1980-01-01_2_page002.html
https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.14081014
https://www.opioidhelp.com/recovery/medication-assisted-treatment/clonidine
https://www.bicyclehealth.com/blog/what-is-clonidine-how-does-clonidine-work