Kapvay ( clonidine): Hello! My 6 year... - CHADD's ADHD Pare...

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Kapvay ( clonidine)

CKariya profile image
24 Replies

Hello! My 6 year old son has combined adhd. He was recently started on Kapvay 0.1mg at night. Was wondering if there were any kids that use Kapvay twice a day? Does that make them drowsy/ sedated at school if given in morning?

Bcos seems like he has rebound hyperactivity during daytime when we only give it at night.

And think my son may need a morning dose.

Thank you very much.

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CKariya profile image
CKariya
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24 Replies
anirush profile image
anirush

We tried clonidine but it made my grandson so angry he punched a hole in the wall. I know not much help, sorry

CKariya profile image
CKariya

Oh no. So sorry to hear that. Thanks so much for your reply.

My son was on Straterra before and that made him very angry and mean. Then tried Intuniv and his blood pressure dropped. 😔 so now we are on clonidine and focalin. Hope this will finally work for him.😔

Msdetermined3 profile image
Msdetermined3

Hello my 5 yo is on clonidine 0.1 he takes it 3x’s a day in the morning he takes it at school and again at lunch and at bedtime. In the beginning it did make him drowsy but he has been on it for a year now and he has shown some improvements. I’m no Dr. but it does work for him however we did have to adjust the dose a bit. I hope this helps you.

CKariya profile image
CKariya in reply to Msdetermined3

Thank you so much. I think the doctor will add it in the morning too starting next week so I was worried it will make him drowsy at school. It’s great to hear it has helped in school too. We give it at bedtime and he seems calmer.

Thank you for your reply

zlyavera profile image
zlyavera

My kid use this I was scared to death his. Good pressure would get to low while sleeping and die but like any drugs that are new war h cafull my some sleeps still 3 some morning on .2 but it's the only thing that at lease gives him some peace at night some of the other things that were given to help sleep casue nightmares sleep walking and weti g bed sometimes u ha e to pick hour battles and settle for the best even if not to what you think is best

CKariya profile image
CKariya in reply to zlyavera

Thank you. Yes I too feel my son sleeps better with it. Melatonin gave him nightmares. Thank you for your reply.

LabLover2 profile image
LabLover2

We’ve had much success with 0.2mg at night for our son, he has been taking for 2 yrs but keep them close after giving drowsiness sets in for us about 30 minutes after taking.

Elijah1 profile image
Elijah1

I know other children who have taken it twice daily (morning and evening) with no side effects. They are somewhat calmer.

Hi Ty for sharing this. I am surprised they are using clonidine on children for adhd. I use this med to regulate my blood pressure since CRPS creates my blood pressure to be erratic. I have been using magnesium to help relax me, I am adhd too. Not sure if kids should take it. But it is all natural. You have given me something to think about and talk to the doctor to see if this might be right for my grandson. I am not sure why I have not ever thought about using magnesium to help him rest at night or maybe even epsom salt. again Ty for sharing and I have some notes to write and talk to the physician about. I would be very concerned about using clonidine for adhd. especially if he missed a dose. Ty again Interested in finding out how this works out. Please keep us posted.

Pennywink profile image
Pennywink in reply to LetYourVoiceBHeard

Clonidine isn’t a first line for kids with ADHD, but if they have bad reactions to stimulants or are having behavioral issues when it wears off, I’ve heard it prescribed. Our neurologist is considering it for my son, as it also helps with tics disorders. Though, unlike the stimulants, can’t just give it a week & take them off if it doesn’t work. It’s a slow build & a weaning off period.

I would also advise checking with the pediatrician before starting magnesium- it can be beneficial & help with other issues like constipation. But start very very low dose with kids, as you can overdose on it - even in bath form! (I was actually given some to prevent seizures when I became preeclampic when pregnant- it made me feel very sick & fevery.) Point being, it is natural, but still powerful. It also gives me crazy dreams until I get use to it.

Janice_H profile image
Janice_H

Most of the meds for ADHD cause drowsiness. Talk with your son's doctor about the drowsiness in the classroom and rebound in the afternoon. They can adjust the time of dosage and perhaps have him take a small dose before the end of the school day to help with the rebound.

CKariya profile image
CKariya

Thank you very much! Grateful to all who replied and shared their experience.

TiffanyLorene profile image
TiffanyLorene

My son takes it in the morning and at night. Everyday twice a day he takes a 0.1 mg. In the beginning it did he was falling asleep at school I talked to the dr and we decided to ease him into it and he seems to be doing much better and not falling asleep at school. But I do notice that when he dosnt eat it makes side effects worse. So I always try to make sure he’s not taking it on an empty stomach

CKariya profile image
CKariya in reply to TiffanyLorene

Thanks so much. How did you ease him into it? Did you start off lowest dose in morning?

TiffanyLorene profile image
TiffanyLorene in reply to CKariya

The way I did it was cut the pills in 4ths on the first week and gave him 1/4 a pill every couple hours so that he was able to take one pill a day just broken up the next week 1/2 a pill 3 times a day and the 1 pill in the morning and 1 and night. If that makes sense.

CKariya profile image
CKariya in reply to TiffanyLorene

Yes thank you very much.

Mudpies profile image
Mudpies

My son is 8 and takes clonidine .1 three times a day. He takes it at 6:30 am, noon, and 5:30 pm. He also takes Amantadine twice a day at 6:30 am and 2:30 pm to help him focus. My son can’t take stimulants because they make him super aggressive. The Clonidine did make him sleepy to start with and the still do if he is sitting still. So far this combination really seems to be working well for him. I hope this helps.

CKariya profile image
CKariya in reply to Mudpies

Thank you

MotherOf02 profile image
MotherOf02

If it’s anything like Tenex than it may make him more sleepy at first and then even out. I’m thinking my son may need that at night also, my son is 12, has your son done good so far?

CKariya profile image
CKariya in reply to MotherOf02

Hi! My son has been doing well with it. No change in behaviors yet though. But his blood pressure has been good and not too drowsy. And he has been falling asleep well. With Intuniv the long acting of tenex, his blood pressure dropped. And Straterra made his behavior worse. So this is last resort. We are hoping it will work.

Pennywink profile image
Pennywink in reply to CKariya

Fingers crossed for you! We just started medicating (like 3 days ago), and are kicking things off with 1mg guanfacine (Intuniv) since my son also has a tic disorder. On day 4, and at least no side effects. Hoping this does the trick.

Mudpies profile image
Mudpies

Update: My son now takes 1/2 pill of Clonidine 0.1 mg in the morning and at lunch and a whole pill at night. He also takes 10 ml of amantadine in the morning and at 2:30 pm. These were prescribed to help with the impulsive behaviors and with focus. This seems to be the sweet spot for us. I hope you’ve been able to find yours. 🙂

CKariya profile image
CKariya in reply to Mudpies

Hi! We are still working on adjusting the dose. He is taking 0.1mg twice a day. And I believe plan is to increase bedtime to 0.2mg.

I remember your post from before and your son was taking 0.1mg three times a day. Any reason why they cut back on the dose in the morning? Was it bcos of sleepiness?

Mudpies profile image
Mudpies in reply to CKariya

It was. He was struggling to not fall asleep in class. The dr cut the Clonidine in half and doubled the amantadine dose.

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