A patient reports that the clonidine recently prescribed for hypertension is causing drowsiness. Which response by the provider to this concern is appropriate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

BClonidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, commonly causes drowsiness as a side effect, especially when therapy is initiated, but this often lessens with time. It can also cause orthostatic hypotension (a drop in blood pressure upon standing), which can contribute to feelings of dizziness or light-headedness, correlating with the drowsiness. There is no direct evidence linking clonidine with addiction due to central nervous system side effects, making option C incorrect. Abruptly discontinuing clonidine without a healthcare provider's guidance (as suggested in D) is not recommended due to the risk of rebound hypertension.

A Patient Reports That the Clonidine Recently Prescribed for Hypertension