Clonidine Flashcards
What is the triad of clonidine intoxication?
Drowsiness, miosis and bradycardia
What is the potentially lethal dose of clonidine?
In children: 2 tablets. >10 mcg/kg: brady/hypotension. >20 mcg/kg: respiratory depression/apnoea
How does clonidine work?
Centrally acting alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. Symphatoplegic agent –> reduced CNS sympathetic outflow. Increases NO levels and decreases renin.
Describe the clinical features of clonidine overdose.
Transient early hypotension, lethargy (rouses but then deeply somnolent when not disturbed), miosis, slurred speech, ataxia. Coma and isolated bradycardia can occur as well.
What drug can be trialled in clonidine overdose as a reversal agent? Caveat?
Naloxone - 0.1 mg IV every 30-60 seconds up to 0.4 mg. Many patients on clonidine are also on opioids and take clonidine to ameliorate the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.
