My son (15) just prescribed Clonidine. Just curious on some thoughts around time of day for dosage and if anyone has their child on Ritalin as well and thoughts on that. Thanks in advance.
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Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often exhibit sleep and behavioral disorders. Treatment of sleep disorders can be difficult in these children. Clonidine, an alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist, has been shown to be effective in reducing impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity, as well as in serving as a sedative for medial procedures. An open labeled retrospective study of clonidine in treatment of insomnia, and/or hyperactivity, inattention, mood disorder, and aggressive behaviors was conducted using parent reports of sleep initiation and maintenance, as well as behaviors prior and during clonidine treatment. Clonidine was effective in reducing sleep initiation latency and night awakening, to a less degree in improving attention deficits hyperactivity, mood instability and aggressiveness in this cohort of 19 children with ASD. The side effects were largely tolerable. Further evaluation with placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial of clonidine use in ASD will provide more insight into the clinical efficacy and safety of the medicine in ASD.
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often exhibit sleep and behavioral disorders. Treatment of sleep disorders can be difficult in these children. Clonidine, an alpha2-adrenergic receptor agonist, has been shown to be effective in reducing impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity, as well as in serving as a sedative for medial procedures. An open labeled retrospective study of clonidine in treatment of insomnia, and/or hyperactivity, inattention, mood disorder, and aggressive behaviors was conducted using parent reports of sleep initiation and maintenance, as well as behaviors prior and during clonidine treatment. Clonidine was effective in reducing sleep initiation latency and night awakening, to a less degree in improving attention deficits hyperactivity, mood instability and aggressiveness in this cohort of 19 children with ASD. The side effects were largely tolerable. Further evaluation with placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial of clonidine use in ASD will provide more insight into the clinical efficacy and safety of the medicine in ASD.
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I agree whole hardheartedly. I also agree that the doctors need to do a better job in telling parents why they are prescribing a particular medication. That would avoid the angry parent who finds out by looking at the internet for his/her education. I am a doctor of speech pathology and I have so many parents coming to me asking why their doctor put their child on a particular medication. Sometimes the parents concern is valid and correct.
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your child sleep patterns and life sound so much like my own. It is hard - being eternally tired is hard. It is hard to be a good worker, a good parent, and good advocate. I missed some details, but here is what has worked really well for our family - a very low dose (started with 1/4 up to 1/2 tablet) of Clonidine 1 hour before bed - calms him and lets us do a nightly routine.... and 30 minutes before bed, melatonin. Now, on JUST melatonin he will sleep fast and hard for about 4 hours. When we add the low clonodine dose - he sleeps through the night 5/7 nights a week. I do believe there is no silver bullet for our kids. But, sometimes a combination of what is good about different approaches can help them. Trial and error. Good luck!
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My grandson has been on this med since Monday. How long does it take
To see results?
To see results?
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