5 Nonstimulant ADHD Medications: Strattera, Intuniv, and More
Nonstimulant ADHD medications, like Strattera and Intuniv, can be an effective treatment with fewer side effects than stimulants. Here’s what they are.
Onyda XR
Used for ADHD
Used for ADHD
Onyda XR (clonidine) is a non‑stimulant medication for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It's FDA approved for children 6 years and older. It can be used by itself or with stimulant ADHD medications. Onyda XR (clonidine) is an extended‑release liquid you take by mouth once each night at bedtime. Common effects include sleepiness, tiredness, and headache. Onyda XR (clonidine) can also lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate, so your care team might check these regularly.
What is Onyda XR (clonidine)?
What is Onyda XR (clonidine) used for?
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children 6 years and older
How Onyda XR (clonidine) works
Onyda XR (clonidine) is an alpha‑2 agonist. It's not exactly clear how the medication treats ADHD. But it's thought to attach to signaling proteins called alpha-2 receptors in the part of the brain involved in attention and focus. This might help lessen hyperactive behavior and improve focus.
When does Onyda XR (clonidine) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Onyda XR |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Alpha-2 agonist |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | No lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
Side effects of Onyda XR (clonidine)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Drowsiness (31%–38%)
- Headache (13%–20%)
- Feeling tired (13%–16%)
- Upper stomach pain (10%–15%)
- Irritability (5%–9%)
- Dizziness (3%–7%)
- Trouble sleeping (5%–6%)
- Constipation (1%–6%)
- Nausea (4-5%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Dry mouth
- Tearfulness
- Aggression
- Emotional problems
- Other sleep problems (e.g., nightmares, sleep terrors, poor sleep quality)
- Bed‑wetting
- Tremor
- Change in heart rate (faster or slower)
Onyda XR (clonidine) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Extreme drowsiness
- Dangerously low blood pressure or slow heart rate: fainting, dizziness, feeling weak, confusion, shortness of breath
- Rebound high blood pressure if stopped suddenly: severe headache, chest pain, fast heartbeat, anxiety, blurred vision
- Severe allergic reaction: rash; hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue; trouble breathing
More on Onyda XR (clonidine) side effects
The following Onyda XR (clonidine) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
- Slow heartbeat—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, confusion, trouble breathing, unusual weakness or fatigue
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Trouble sleeping
Get your GoodRx coupon
$532.62
GoodRx discount
$395.86
Pros and cons of Onyda XR (clonidine)
Pros
- Non‑stimulant option for ADHD
- Taken once at night, so it could be a good option for people with busy morning routines
- Is a liquid, so it's an option for children who can't swallow pills
- Can be used alone or with a stimulant ADHD medication
Cons
- Can cause sleepiness and tiredness
- Can lower blood pressure and heart rate
- Must lower the dose slowly to stop taking the medication to avoid dangerous rebound high blood pressure
- Interacts with some medications, including blood pressure medications and sedatives
Pharmacist tips for Onyda XR (clonidine)
- 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.
More on Onyda XR (clonidine) tips
Risks and warnings for Onyda XR (clonidine)
Onyda XR (clonidine) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Low blood pressure and slow heart rate
- Risk factors: History of low blood pressure | History of heart problems (e.g., slow heart rate, heart block) | Kidney failure | History of fainting | Dehydration | Taking other medications that lower blood pressure or slow heart rate | Taking higher doses of Onyda XR (clonidine)
Onyda XR (clonidine) can lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. This can cause dizziness, fainting, or tiredness. These effects can happen when starting the medication, after the dose is raised, or in hot weather if your child gets dehydrated.
Tell the prescriber if your child has any heart conduction problems. Some people with these heart problems have had a very slow heart rate while taking Onyda XR (clonidine).
The care team will check your child's blood pressure and pulse before they start Onyda XR (clonidine). They'll also check after dose changes and from time to time during treatment. If needed, the prescriber can adjust the Onyda XR (clonidine) dose to help with these side effects. For people with heart conduction problems, the prescriber will raise the dose more slowly and follow up more often.
Be sure your child stays hydrated, especially in hot weather. Get medical help if your child faints, has chest pain, or has trouble breathing. These can be signs of very low blood pressure or slow heart rate.
Possible heart rhythm problems
Sleepiness and dizziness
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that can cause sleepiness | Drinking alcohol
Onyda XR (clonidine) can cause sleepiness and drowsiness. This can make it hard to think clearly, react fast, or focus. The risk is higher if your child takes other medications that can cause drowsiness, like anxiety medications and sleep medications. Taking Onyda XR (clonidine) with alcohol can also make these side effects more likely.
Make sure your child knows how Onyda XR (clonidine) affects them before they drive or do anything that needs their focus. Talk to the healthcare team right away if your child feels too sleepy from the medication.
Dangerously high blood pressure after stopping Onyda XR (clonidine) suddenly
- Risk factors: Stopping Onyda XR (clonidine) all of a sudden | Missing doses often | Vomiting
Stopping Onyda XR (clonidine) suddenly can cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure. This can lead to symptoms like severe headache, chest pain, fast heartbeat, flushing, anxiety, or confusion. Missing several doses in a row can also cause these problems.
If your child need to stop taking Onyda XR (clonidine), talk to their prescriber first. The care team will come up with a tapering plan. This usually involves slowly lowering the dose to stop the medication safely. Call the care team right away if your child misses several doses or has severe symptoms.
Allergic reaction
- Risk factors: History of allergic reaction to clonidine
Tell the healthcare team if your child has had a skin rash or allergic reaction to other clonidine medications, including the clonidine patch. If your child has, they might also have a reaction to Onyda XR (clonidine). If the reaction was very serious, the prescriber might consider other treatment options.
Onyda XR (clonidine) dosage
The average cost for 1 bottle of 30ml of 0.1mg/ml of Onyda XR (clonidine) is $395.86 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 25.68% off the average retail price of $532.62. 
Bottle of oral solution
Bottle of oral solution| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60ml of 0.1mg/ml | 1 bottle | $453.64 | $453.64 |
| 30ml of 0.1mg/ml | 1 bottle | $395.86 | $395.86 |
Typical dosage for Onyda XR (clonidine)
The typical starting dose is 0.1 mg by mouth once nightly at bedtime. The prescriber might raise the dose by 0.1 mg per day at weekly intervals based on your child's response to the medication. The maximum dose is 0.4 mg once nightly.
How much does Onyda XR (clonidine) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Onyda XR (brand)
$395.86
Onyda XR (clonidine) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Onyda XR (clonidine) will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to clonidine
What are alternatives to Onyda XR (clonidine)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Onyda XR (clonidine). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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