What is the appropriate dose of Clonidine (clonidine) for treating hypertension or other conditions?

Clonidine 75mg Dosing Error - Critical Safety Alert

A dose of 75mg clonidine is a potentially fatal overdose that should never be administered. The maximum effective daily dose is 2.4mg, making 75mg approximately 30 times higher than the therapeutic ceiling 1.

Correct Clonidine Dosing for Hypertension

Initial Dosing

• Start with 0.1mg twice daily (morning and bedtime) 1
• Elderly patients require lower initial doses 1
• Patients with renal impairment should begin at reduced doses with careful monitoring 1

Maintenance Dosing

• Increase by 0.1mg per day at weekly intervals if blood pressure control is inadequate 1
• Therapeutic range: 0.2mg to 0.6mg per day in divided doses 1
• The larger portion of the daily dose should be taken at bedtime to minimize dry mouth and drowsiness 1
• Maximum effective dose is 2.4mg per day, though doses this high are rarely needed 1

Critical Safety Considerations

If 75mg was prescribed, this represents a serious medication error requiring immediate intervention:

• Do not administer this dose under any circumstances
• Verify the intended medication and dose with the prescriber immediately
• The prescriber may have intended 0.075mg (75 micrograms), which equals 0.075mg or approximately the standard 0.1mg starting dose

Common Pitfalls

• Confusion between milligrams (mg) and micrograms (mcg) can lead to 1000-fold dosing errors 1
• Clonidine has a narrow therapeutic window, making precise dosing essential 1
• Abrupt discontinuation can cause rebound hypertension, so any dose adjustments must be gradual 1