The NHS has advised anyone taking a certain medication to “call a doctor” if they experience a specific feeling in their chest. On its website, the health body provides important information about taking clonidine.

Clonidine is a type of medicine known as a vasodilator. This means it widens blood vessels by relaxing smooth muscle cells in vessel walls.

It is often prescribed to prevent migraines or other similar types of headache, or to treat hot flushes or sweats that may happen during the menopause. Clonidine is also sometimes used to treat high blood pressure.

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It comes as tablets or as a liquid that you swallow. It's also available as an injection, but this is only given in hospital for emergency treatment of hypertension.

As is the case with any medication, there is always the risk of side effects with clonidine. The NHS says: “Like all medicines, clonidine can cause side effects in some people, although not everyone gets them.

“Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the new medicine. Older people are more sensitive to the side effects of clonidine.”

Among the more serious potential side effects of clonidine are heart problems such as an irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations, or an unusually slow heartbeat (bradycardia). If you experience this, the NHS advises you to “call a doctor or call 111 now”.

The same applies if you have:

• Feelings of confusion, problems understanding what is happening around you, or hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real)


• Stomach pain, vomiting and constipation symptoms all together – these can be symptoms of a rare condition called pseudo-obstruction of the large bowel

However, these side effects are rare and typically only occur in less than one in 100 people.

These common side effects of clonidine happen in more than one in 100 people, the NHS says. These side effects do not usually last long and there are things you can do to help cope with them:

• Feeling sleepy, tired and weak


• Feeling dizzy or faint when you stand up


• Dry mouth


• Constipation


• Erection problems (erectile dysfunction or impotence)


• Headaches


• Depression


• Difficulty sleeping

The NHS said: “Speak to a pharmacist or doctor if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.” You should call 999 if you experience a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

For more information, visit the NHS website here.