Is Clonidine Safe? Scared to take it.

[Ethansmom]

My doctor suggested this med for my constant hot flashes and anxiety symptoms ( buspar isn't working and is causing me to be hot . This med looks dangerous and my blood pressure is normal.

[venusbluejeans]

The dr wouldn't suggest it for you if it wasn't safe

[Ethansmom]

It just has a long list of side effects including fainting! I've never fainted. It's actually a blood pressure med, using it off label.

[venusbluejeans]

All meds have a list of side effects online and on the label.

Again your dr would not prescribe things that are not safe for you.

Would you rather take the word of your dr with many years of training and experience OR a group of non trained people on a anxiety forum?

[RadioGaGa]

Clonidine has quite a few indications, anxiety and hot flashes being two of them.

If you get a copy of the BNF and open it on a random page, and look at a "random" drug, you're almost guaranteed to find a list of terrifying side effects... But these side effects only happen to a very small amount of people. Most of them are post-marketing of the drug.

You could think about everything in life having a potential side effect:

* You could consider being knocked down a potential "side effect" of crossing the road
* You could also consider hitting an iceberg and sinking as a potential "side effect" of going on an Atlantic cruise
* Choking on a glass of water a potential "side effect"

The thing is, we face risks every day - and the majority of the time, we don't give it a second thought. And for good reason - it's simply so rare/unlikely.

Take it as prescribed and you'll be fine

Good luck