Transdermal Clonidine: where Oral Clonidine is not Tolerated Once weekly transdermal therapy maintains compliance in hypertensive patients

Oral clonidine treatment was replaced by transdermal clonidine in the form of skin patches (3 mg/patch) in 17 patients with essential hypertension whose BP had been controlled with oral clonidine (0.36mg daily) and hydrochlorothiazide (50mg daily). The number of patches applied was increased to a maximum of 3/week until the BP reached the level achieved during oral clonidine therapy (129/85mm Hg).

15 of 17 patients stabilised at this level within 8 weeks and continued with transdermal clonidine for a further 4 weeks. Two patients could not obtain adequate BP control using '3 patches weekly. Plasma clonidine levels measured after 4 hours (0.78 ng/ml), 4 days (0.89 ng/ml) and 7 days (0.78 ng/ml) did not differ from each other or from trough values (0.86 ng/ml) obtained during oral administration. Mild erythema and itching occurred at patch sites in 4 of 17 (24%) patients, but systemic side effects such as dry mouth, drowsiness and sedation appeared to be less pronounced. Once weekly transdermal application of clonidine can therefore adequately substitute for twice daily oral administration giving smoother blood pressure control and fewer side effects. Popli. S. et al. Clinical Therapeutics 5: 624 (No 6. 1983)

8 INPHARMA(') 17 Mar 1984 0156-2703/84/0317-0008/0$01.00/0 © ADIS Press