Clonidine for Opiate Withdrawal User Reviews (Page 3)

• OAB
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 29, 2017

"I was on 100 mg of fentanyl with hydrocodone 10 mg on top of that. I tried to quit cold turkey before, but it was the worst experience of my life. I was given some clonidine from a friend. I took 0.1 mg of clonidine at night with gabapentin for my nerve pain in my arm. Sometimes I also took 0.25 mg of Xanax. I'm on day four. The ONLY problems I have experienced are a little cramping, slight nerve pain (IF I went past the time I should've taken another dose of clonidine), and I'm very tired and weak. I can hardly get up to do anything. I have zero cravings for opiates. Clonidine DEFINITELY works! Now, how do I get my energy back?"

• nurse...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 28, 2016

"I have a long history of severe opioid addiction. My drug of choice was IV hydromorphone. I struggled with cravings when clean for years. In Feb this year, I found a study which suggested that clonidine could be used as long-term therapy for stress-induced cravings in cocaine addicts. I asked my doc to try this on me, and he did. I am on 0.1-0.3 mg, 4 times a day. Have been for almost 10 months. Careful about low blood pressure at first. The first dose I took immediately eliminated my cravings, which I found incredible to believe. Not only did I not crave, but I did not care. 2 months later, also using the patch, I quit smoking. I don't crave cigarettes either, even around smokers. Highly recommended."

• wendy...
• June 14, 2016

"This is my second attempt at withdrawing. My first attempt was back in February of 2016 from hydromorphone tabs 1mg x 16 a day. I went cold turkey and had no help except I used a bit of information from the Thomas recipe. It was a bit helpful, but my experience was horrific for a solid week. I started taking OxyContin 5/325mg a couple of months later because I couldn't take the pain, and now I'm up to 10 a day and in a mess again. I went to the ER and asked for help with detoxing. They gave me clonidine and lorazepam, and I have to say I'm starting day two of the withdrawal, and I'm not feeling totally myself, but there are less sweats and chills. The anxiety is almost nil. It's really helped me. I am even able to talk to people without any anxiety."

• Kandace
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 27, 2017

"I have been an opiate addict since I was 18, and I am now 31. While having gone through opiate withdrawal at least once, the clonidine is and has been the only thing that makes my symptoms practically nonexistent. I can firmly, without any hesitation, say it works. I was very skeptical, but it proved me so wrong. I am now on my 5th day into withdrawing and haven't had cold sweats, nausea, loss of appetite, nor any other symptoms. I can say this is going to be the beginning of a sober life, so if you're scared to go through withdrawal, just see a doctor and ask for it because it works almost 100%."

• Equal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 6, 2015

"Been on opiates, benzos, alcohol and just about anything I could get my hands on. I'm going into detox very soon and Dr. prescribed clonidine. Though not a magical cure-all, it does take the edge off. Worth a try for sure. Especially for first-time detoxers. This is coming from a 25-year addict. At first, they will just throw more narcotics at you in the form of benzos. But this is a great alternative. Stay strong."

• A...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 29, 2016

"I'm 44 and I've been in the drug abuse game since I was a teenager. I went through the usual drug dialogue from weed to speed and acid and ecstasy. Cocaine until I found the love of my life, heroin, and so went on a roller coaster ride of overdoses, detoxes, broken promises, Hep C, friends dying. You know the script. I paid to see a private doc in Belgravia and they offered me 0.2 mg 3 times a day of clonidine. So I'm 4 days in and feel okay. A bit stiff because I'm housebound. Will try to do yoga today but low blood pressure is a hindrance. I should add I'm using non-prescription diazepam, but my doc would give them to me if I asked. Definitely the easiest detox I've ever done. I expect to be off these tablets and back at work in a few days."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2016

Catapres (clonidine) "I've found clonidine does help very much with physical symptoms of opiate w/d. But many Dr's don't want to give more than a few pills at the lowest dose. Which wasn't any help at all. It's unfortunate that I ended up failing because I couldn't find a Dr. to 'trust' & understand I could handle a short-term prescription - which regrettably led me to a methadone program. Now I know better, I know what I'll need once I finish tapering off the meth. Only thing is I don't hear anyone speak about side effects of stopping the clonidine though. I gave it a 7 because I always get an uptick in my BP & heart rate. Best to be very careful & use for shortest time possible."

• Justt...
• August 9, 2017

"So I have medical conditions (back and head) that caused me to have hydrocodone, oxycodone, Dilaudid, and so on increasing from the accident until now. Wasn't so bad at first, then I realized I became a mega-nasty cow without them, and I wasn't even in pain. I would count my day around when I needed my meds. Finally, one day we took the kids to the beach, and I forgot my purse (with meds in it). I drove 12 miles home to get it and realized it was ruling my life. I talked to my doctor, and he prescribed clonidine. I am not going to lie, I was scared, like I'm going to die scared. But I took 2 mg every 4 hours the first 2 days and then 1 mg the next 4. And I am free! Granted I had Ambien and Klonipin for sleep (only for detox). I hope the best for all of you!"

• No Mo...
• December 1, 2011

Catapres (clonidine) "Clonidine is definitely a wonder for opiate withdrawal. I asked to be detoxed in the hospital after over a year of pain management got the best of me...they aren't kidding when they say opiates are addictive. After 2 days of sleeping through cold turkey (for the most part), I was able to eat and act normal, with no physical cravings. They administered a combination of clonidine, Serax, Soma, Ativan, and gabapentin, so I can't say which worked better initially. The clonidine seems to lessen the worst physical effects. It lowered my blood pressure a lot, so only a 0.5mg dose was allowed at a time; maybe more would work better for someone else with higher pressure. Detox with a doctor's help, they've got lots of options."

• wagirl
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2015

"I'm at the end of day 6 of my detox/withdrawal, and without the clonidine, I couldn't have done it. I have been on Opiates for a few years, and the 120 pills the doctor prescribed every month were usually gone in two weeks, so I had to go buy from a friend, but the ones from him were Morphine. I started getting sick at the beginning of this month, even when taking the prescribed pills, because I don't think the prescription was strong enough to catch up to the Morphine. The first 2 days I had no meds to help me and thought I was going to die, but now that I have the clonidine, I feel much better. Before you start detox, do yourself a favor and get the meds to help you get through it."

• abett...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 20, 2015

"I am on day 2 of clonidine and so far so good. It has been a godsend. It hasn't fixed everything. I still find myself slightly fatigued and getting headaches if I do too much too fast. Having some lightheadedness and slight dry mouth. But overall, I finally feel I can beat this demon we call addiction. I have an appointment to get the Vivitrol shot next week, and for the first time in years, the future looks bright."

• nybabie
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2013

"I have been on morphine sulfate for over a year, extended and immediate release. Just moved to a new state and had a hard time finding a new doctor that would prescribe this medicine to me. The new doctor gave me an NSAID and Clonidine patch to help with the withdrawal. The patch is working wonders but unfortunately I'm still in excruciating pain from my condition. Trying really hard not to fall back on pain pills again. At least I'm not dealing with withdrawal on top of the pain though."

• CS89
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 5, 2015

"I was on opiates for 8 years. Started when I was 19. I am now 26. This is the first time I have been sober longer than 24 hrs and not just because my dealers were not available. Clonidine patch for 7 days worked wonders with 8 mg Suboxone. I continue to take the clonidine pill form daily. Withdrawal symptoms were all or none with these medications. I recommend if you are addicted to opiates, you speak with your physician right away. This is the first time in 8 years I can honestly say I am thinking clearly. Good luck!"

• Only...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 28, 2017

"I was prescribed clonidine for my blood pressure. I was also prescribed 10 mg Norco for female issues. I became addicted to Norco for almost 5 years when I said enough is enough. I had read about clonidine being used with opiate withdrawal, so I gave it a shot, and boy, I have had zero withdrawal symptoms. Unlike before, where I always ended up using again, I'm on day three. I slept well, I'm up having coffee, which I haven't done in a long time - I can't even remember. It made me drowsy the first few days. I was able to lower the dose and haven't taken a dose in the last 12 hours, and I feel fine. If you have the opportunity, please use clonidine. I swear it works."

• DWhitz
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 7, 2015

"Clonidine works well when you are suffering from opiate withdrawal. It has helped several people that I know as well as myself. A lifesaver for this purpose. It doesn't take away all symptoms but it does relax the muscles and helps greatly with the hot/cold sweats. I definitely recommend this medication for this purpose."

• Disab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 22, 2015

"Clonidine has helped me so much since I was on morphine 80mg 3 times a day (tad) and oxy 45mg 3 tad and methadone 10mg 3 tad. I was so scared not knowing what to expect and Clonidine 0.3 2 tad worked so well, I was surprised. Give it a chance."

• Marin...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• October 20, 2017

"I require large doses of high-strength opiates after an accident left my spine irreversibly damaged and in excruciating, intractable pain. As the media and public demonize these drugs since addicts abuse/overdose (a lifesaver for the people prescribed/deserving), the times where I've been unable to obtain my normal refill and shamed out of the ER trying to explain I'm not a drug seeker have increased. I'm left in extreme pain along with withdrawal symptoms - a combination so incredibly brutally agonizing and horrific. One time I happened to have Clonidine for anxiety 0.1, taking 2-4 every 4-6 hours (no doctor would agree) and it relieved 70% of all symptoms. Very, very tired, but 100% WORTH IT."

• angee...
• May 29, 2015

"Hello! I am actually starting to feel like my old self again. :) I started taking hydrocodone 10/325 four times a day four years ago first due to c-section, then found it helped my back pain from bulging discs and found a pain doctor. Well, the four pills were not enough. When I ended my horrible relationship with hydrocodone, I was up to 10 pills a day. I started stealing from my boyfriend's pill bottle and then started buying off of the street! I'm a mom of three gorgeous children. I couldn't believe I got to this point!! It's all I ended up knowing. I couldn't function without it! It ALMOST ruined my life. Finally, I decided enough was enough and went to the ER after withdrawing for 8 hours. This was about 6 days ago. Patch saved me!!!!!!"

• Seviya
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 8, 2016

"This medication saved me from all the horrible pain I was suffering. I stopped all the other meds (benzos and Ambien) thanks to this med. It makes me tired, but after a quick 30-minute nap, I am ready for my day with no withdrawal symptoms. I am detoxing from Suboxone, and I am on day 8. Please try this medication if you are an opiate user and want to quit. Please do not get on Suboxone. I was on it for 5 years. Yes, it changed my life, and I am stable, but for cheaper Clonidine could have done the same, and I wouldn't have to suffer another detox!"

• Addic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 21, 2013

"I have been hooked on narcotic pain killers for 30 years. It got so bad this last year I thought it would kill me, 100mg MS Contin slow release at the rate of 10 to 15 a day. Then I tried to stop, and oh my God. Clonidine transdermal literally saved my life. I put the patch on, voila! Night and day difference. Phew!"

• tocha
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 15, 2012

"I have been on hydrocodone for about 7 years, and when my doctor took me off it, I went through terrible withdrawals. So, I went to the ER, and the doctor prescribed clonidine. I tell you, this is heaven-sent. I don't feel the withdrawals."

• Jon
• October 5, 2016

"After being on Suboxone for 7 years, Clonidine was truly what helped me get off. I was at 1-1.5 mg for a year and pretty comfortably tapered down to 0.25 mg every other day before jumping 10 days ago. I've taken 0.1 mg at night and spread 0.05 mg through the day if feeling any mild withdrawal. My only real problem at times was some trouble sleeping days 2-5 and low energy towards the end of the work day, but dragging myself to the gym went a long way. I'm prescribed and take Adderall so I can't say for sure how much it's helped as well, but been super motivated nonetheless to the point of getting new job interviews DURING my first 10 days. Don't let the terror stories online scare you. Taper appropriately and stay active and things will be OK."

• JR E
• December 4, 2015

"This med was a lifesaver! I've been on pain meds since 2004. Taking 6-8 5mg ox and 60mg of morphine a day. I've had back surgery twice and I still have pain, but scheduling your day around your meds and it controls you. This medication made the withdrawal symptoms very manageable. I will say, don't stop taking this medication without talking with your PCP. There are some slight withdrawal symptoms with this medication."

• Bullf...
• March 10, 2017

"I have been prescribed every kind of pain medication. I've been on Dilaudid 8mg for the past 8 yrs. With everything, I developed a tolerance to Dilaudid; it stopped working for me. So I jumped over to heroin. Let me tell you, first-hand, the biggest mistake of my life. I've been on methadone for the past 2 years. And for the past 9 months, I've been tapering off of methadone. Clonidine has helped me. God willing, on March 13, I will be done. Never give up!"

• Faith...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 26, 2016

"As a functioning addict, I recently entered a detox program for a 10-year 110mg Methadone nightly alcohol (wine, 1-2 liters), habit, and 8-month Dimenhydrinate (Gravol) 750mg spread daily addiction. On day 6, haven't slept a wink for 5 days. I was initially prescribed 80mg Morphine Sulfate 4 doses per day but was switched on day 2 to Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) 24mg for Methadone, Ativan for the first 3 days for alcohol, Seroquel 12.5mg for insomnia, which was a disaster, made me extremely groggy, increased RLS, and made me feel like I was wearing concrete blocks on my feet, so was finally given 0.4mg Clonidine, a welcome relief of RSL and insomnia (2 thumbs to the sky!!). Clonidine was the difference. Highly recommend! On my way to a drug-free life (woohoo!). Good luck."