Call 111 now if you take clonidine and have this side effect

plymouthherald.co.uk · Feb 22, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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The NHS has urged anyone taking a particular medication to "call a doctor" if they notice a specific sensation in their chest. The health service's website provides crucial guidance regarding clonidine use. Clonidine belongs to a class of medicines called vasodilators, which work by widening blood vessels through the relaxation of smooth muscle cells. Doctors commonly prescribe it to prevent migraines or similar headaches, or to manage hot flushes and sweating associated with the menopause. It's also occasionally used for treating high blood pressure. The medication is available as tablets or liquid for oral consumption. An injectable form exists, but this is only administered in hospital settings for emergency hypertension treatment. As with any medicine, clonidine carries the potential for side effects. The NHS states: "Like all medicines, clonidine can cause side effects in some people, although not everyone gets them. "Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the new medicine. Older people are more sensitive to the side effects of clonidine." More severe potential side effects include cardiac issues such as irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, or an abnormally slow heartbeat (bradycardia). Should you experience this, the NHS recommends you "call a doctor or call 111 now". The same advice applies if you have: Feelings of confusion, problems understanding what is happening around you, or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real) Stomach pain, vomiting and constipation symptoms all together – these can be symptoms of a rare condition called pseudo-obstruction of the large bowel That said, these side effects are uncommon and usually affect fewer than one in 100 people. Common side effects These frequent side effects of clonidine occur in more than one in 100 people, according to the NHS. They're generally temporary, and there are ways to manage them: Drowsiness, fatigue and weakness Light-headedness or feeling faint upon standing Dry mouth Constipation Erectile dysfunction (impotence) Headaches Depression Insomnia The NHS advises: "Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away." If you experience a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), you should ring 999 immediately. For further information, visit the NHS website here. Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.