Moxonidine

[roasceaclearwannabe]

Hi I have read Moxonidine could be a potentially useful drug in the combat to fight flushing as a result of Rosacea.

I have never used this medication before and was just wondering does it reduce the permanent redness associated with Rosacea?

Also what dosage are people using to help control their Rosacea? Is this dosage anywhere near to a person using the medication for depression etc?

I have read that this medication is supposed to have less side effects than some other beta blockers, is this correct? I realise everyone reacts differently but was just wondering on paper does moxonidine have less side effects?


Thanks a lot in advance!

[Melissa W]

Here are the results of a search while you are waiting for someone with Moxonidine experience to reply.
http://www.google.com/search?sitesea...sacea_Forum%2F

[antwantsclear]

Moxonodine is taken either twice or three times a day (200mcg each time). It is a very helpful start to controlling flushing, and one of the safest medicines for controlling flushing. The advantage of moxonodine over clonidine is that it doesn't wear off over time. Nevertheless some people do find clonidine more helpful for flushing, others find moxonodine more helpful. However, it would not be advisable to take the two together as they are both alpha blockers.

In terms of treating depression, I think you are referring to mirtazapine (an anti-depressant), which is taken at 15mg once per day by most rosacea sufferers who do take it. Sometimes they double the dose, to 30mg but this carries greater side effects potentially. 30mg is a common dose for depression, although some people with depression take either 15mg or as much as 45mg.

[Judworth]

I took clonidine, which was very helpful reducing my flushing by about 85%..............3 months in I had to discontinue to extreme side effects.

My derm prescribed Moxinidine & almost from day one my face flushed for hours and P & P came out of nowhere!

It certainly wasn't for me, I was told that this drug had less side effects. but it really wasn't helpful, I stopped it after a week.

J

[roasceaclearwannabe]

Hi,

Thanks everyone for their responses so far, keep them coming! lol.

I have had thorough look through the forum already but there seems to be mixed opinions. I think I will give it a go and see how I get on, as it seems to have the least side effects of everything and then if I have no luck possibly try the dreaded clonidine!

[roasceaclearwannabe]

Hi,

I got Moxonidine from the doctor today and I have been advised to try 200mg once per day.

I just want to ask - should I take this in the morning everyday or just before I undertake activities that cause me to flush?

Thanks

[nat007]

I started using moxonidine around 2003 after reading Dr nases book, I think it helped me a bit in the beginning, but mainly cause it lowered my bloodpressure significantly. With time the body adjust but I was tired all the time nevertheless. At some point I got the impression that it was actually making me worse and MORE flushed every time I took it (about 3 or 4 times a day). One of the side effects I found, is vasodilatation. I think this is the problem with moxonidine for some of us. I switched to clonidine in 2006 and saw a massive improvement.

Unfortunately every rosacea seems different and some here actually find clonidine to increase the flushing, so it's trial and error. I however would advice clonidine, mainly because of personal experience.

[roasceaclearwannabe]

I started using moxonidine around 2003 after reading Dr nases book, I think it helped me a bit in the beginning, but mainly cause it lowered my bloodpressure significantly. With time the body adjust but I was tired all the time nevertheless. At some point I got the impression that it was actually making me worse and MORE flushed every time I took it (about 3 or 4 times a day). One of the side effects I found, is vasodilatation. I think this is the problem with moxonidine for some of us. I switched to clonidine in 2006 and saw a massive improvement.

Unfortunately every rosacea seems different and some here actually find clonidine to increase the flushing, so it's trial and error. I however would advice clonidine, mainly because of personal experience.

Hi thanks for your reply nataljaoo,

I have seen an improvement with my flushing but my perm redness seems to be slightly worse, I think. My doctor seemed to be a bit cautious of Clonidine when I mentioned it for some reason. I think he was a little concerned about the side effects. Does Clonidine help with the permanent redness or just flushing?

Thanks again

[nat007]

Moxonidine and clonidine are the same type of medication with the same range of side effects, overal. If your doc approved on moxonidine, you should be able to convince him or her to try clonidine as well, for a proper comparison and to find out which of the two works best for you. In my case, suggesting a monthly trial with my GP helped and made her give me the green sign.

Both meds are designed for high blood pressure and work partly by dilating the big arteries inside your body, so that the blood pressure goes down. Therefore, there is also less blood flowing to the small extremities in feet, hands and the face, but still well enough to keep healthy overall blood supply. But this is one of reasons for it helping with flushing. Clonidine however has extra qualities it seems, it does something with the central nervous system, making the threshhold for facial flushing higher. This is a sensory thing, and deals with the nerves in the small bloodvessels and their signals to dilate or constrict. Clonidine is sometimes used for menopausal hot flushing, which has a lot in common with rosacea flushing. Moxonidine doesn´t seem to work for that.
The side effects seem comparable to a degree; light headedness, tiredness and dry mouth.

I personally found clonidine to work better for general redness ánd facial flushing than moxonidine, but everyone seems to respond differently here.

[roasceaclearwannabe]

Hi,

Thanks to everyone that has replied to this thread so far, much appreciated!

I have been taking Moxonidine for about a month now and haven't experienced too many side effects. However I have noticed I have put on a bit of weight in the last couple of weeks, could this be because of the medication? I have noticed that when I do exercise my heart rate fails to get high when performing intense exercise, could this reduce the rate that I burn calories and in turn cause weight gain?


Thanks