Clonidine Patch Toxicity

Abstract

Five published case reports of clonidine patch toxicity in pediatric patients bring to light the importance of educating the public regarding appropriate use and disposal of transdermal drug-delivery systems. With the increasing use of clonidine transdermal delivery systems it is important that clonidine patch toxicity be considered in pediatric patients presenting with symptoms of depressed consciousness, miosis, hypoventilation, hypotension, bradycardia, hypothermia, cardiac dysrhythmias, hypotonia, or convulsions. Appropriate early supportive management is essential to avoid serious morbidity or mortality in the pediatric patient, and is reviewed herein.