Transdermal clonidine in the treatment of adolescent hypertension

The effectiveness of transdermally administered clonidine in normalizing blood pressure in 22 adolescents with sustained diastolic hypertension was studied. The clonidine transdermal device consisted of an adhesive disc which delivered a low, but continuous, dose of drug through the skin for at least 1 week. Following a placebo disc, subjects received clonidine with increasing titration every 2 weeks until blood pressure reduction goals (90th percentile) were achieved. In 21 of 22 subjects blood pressure goals were achieved and maintained for 8 weeks of stable dose. Side effects were minimal.