[Clonidine--potential dependence risk in psychiatric patients?].

A polydrug abuser had been prescribed clonidine for hypertonia but ingested it for its sedative properties and for euphoria over a period of 6 years. Intention and risk factors for clonidine abuse are discussed and the literature is reviewed. In suicidal patients and in those who present the potential for illicit drug use, we advise that clonidine be prescribed in the outpatient setting only when a safer alternative therapy proves unrealistic. When it is necessary to use clonidine, health care workers should be informed about the possibility of abuse and should observe the patients with utmost caution. To our knowledge this is the first documented case of clonidine abuse in a non-opioid-dependent patient.