Onyda XR

• Take Onyda XR (clonidine) at bedtime every night, with or without food. Taking it at night can help lessen daytime sleepiness. It also helps keep medication levels steady through the day.
• Don’t switch between Onyda XR (clonidine) and other clonidine medications on a milligram‑for‑milligram basis. Each clonidine medication gets absorbed into the body differently. Swapping could lead you to take too much or too little medication. Only switch if the prescriber tells you how.
• Watch for dizziness, fainting, or unusual tiredness when starting Onyda XR (clonidine) or after switching to a higher dose. These can be signs of low blood pressure or slow heart rate. Call the care team if this happens.
• Be sure your child knows how Onyda XR (clonidine) affects them before driving or doing anything that they need to focus for. This medication can cause sleepiness and dizziness, which can make it hard to think clearly and react quickly.
• Avoid taking other sedating medications with Onyda XR (clonidine) unless the prescriber says it’s okay. This can include antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and doxylamine. Taking Onyda XR (clonidine) with these medications can make your child too sleepy and raise safety risks like falls.
• Avoid alcohol while taking Onyda XR (clonidine). Alcohol can make sleepiness and dizziness worse, which can be risky.
• Don’t stop taking Onyda XR (clonidine) suddenly. If your child wants to stop the medication, talk to their prescriber first. They'll come up with a slow, step‑down plan to prevent a dangerous spike in blood pressure and withdrawal symptoms like nervousness or headache.
• If your child misses a dose of Onyda XR (clonidine), skip the missed dose. Wait to take the usual dose the next night. Don't take more than the total daily amount prescribed in a 24-hour period. Otherwise, it can raise the risk of side effects.
• If your child misses Onyda XR (clonidine) doses because of vomiting or a stomach illness, call the care team. Missed doses can make your child's blood pressure go up.
• If your child also takes a stimulant medication for ADHD, be sure to follow the prescriber's instructions. The prescriber might change the dose of the stimulant medication after adding Onyda XR (clonidine).

More tips on how to take Onyda XR (clonidine):

• When you you use a new bottle of Onyda XR (clonidine) for the first time, insert the bottle adapter. This will allow you to measure the dose correctly using the provided oral syringe. Keep the adapter on the bottle even when you're not using the medication.
• Before each dose, wash and dry your hands. Gently shake the bottle of Onyda XR (clonidine) for at least 10 seconds to mix the medication well.
• Measure the Onyda XR (clonidine) dose using the oral syringe. Push the syringe tip through the bottle adapter and press the plunger all the way down. Turn the bottle upside down and slowly pull the plunger to the prescribed dose. Tap the syringe to get rid of any air bubbles. Then, turn the bottle over, remove the syringe, and check that the amount is correct.
• To take Onyda XR (clonidine), have your child sit down and tilt their head slightly upwards. Place the oral syringe into their mouth and point it toward their cheek. Have them close their mouth around the syringe. Then, slowly push the plunger all the way down to give the medication.
• After taking Onyda XR (clonidine), place the cap back on the bottle. Rinse the syringe with tap water and let it dry so you can reuse it. Make sure to also wash and dry your hands.
• Keep Onyda XR (clonidine) in the original bottle with the adapter in place at room temperature (up to 77ºF). For 30 mL or 60 mL bottles, throw away any unused liquid medication 30 days after you first open the bottle. For 120 mL bottles, throw away any remaining liquid 60 days after opening.