If clonidine sounds like a remedy for all ills, bear in mind that it's approved by the Food and Drug Administration only to treat
high blood pressure, and as an injection in combination with other medications, to ease severe cancer pain.
However, it's likely that doctors prescribe clonidine for more
off-label uses than for its approved use. But the evidence for many of those off-label uses consists of only a few studies that are too small or that have other shortcomings which prevents making a clear recommendation. Where the evidence is sufficient to support its use, clonidine is generally recommended as a second-choice or additional medication when preferred treatments aren't effective or can't be used.
Available as a pill, skin patch, or an injection, clonidine works by controlling certain nerve impulses. As a result, it decreases your heart rate and relaxes blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body. Studies indicate that it can be useful sometimes for the following off-label indications:
Studies suggest that clonidine may be more valuable as an adjunct medication to treat secondary ADHD symptoms and the side effects of stimulants. Those may include aggression, jittery behavior, irritability, tics, and
insomnia. Clonidine is among the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat insomnia for children with ADHD, according to a survey of more than 1,200 child psychiatrists. However, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine advises first trying behavioral strategies for pediatric insomnia and using medication sparingly. Consumer Reports medical advisors urge people to avoid taking medication to treat the side effects of another drug unless that drug is essential.