Moxonidine GX (Moxonidine)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Moxonidine GX Used For?
Moxonidine GX contains the active ingredient moxonidine and is prescribed to help lower high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
Primary Uses
Moxonidine GX is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure often has no symptoms, but if left untreated, it can lead to serious health problems including stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked regularly by a healthcare professional.
How It Works
Everyone has blood pressure, which helps move blood around your body. Your blood pressure may change throughout the day, but you have hypertension when your blood pressure stays higher than normal, even when you are calm or relaxed. Moxonidine GX helps control this condition, though it does not cure it.
Good to know: It’s important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well, as the medicine helps control your condition but does not cure it.
How to Take Moxonidine GX
Take Moxonidine GX exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the tablets whole with a full glass of water or another liquid – do not chew the tablets.
Dosage Instructions
The usual starting dose is one 200 micrograms tablet once per day. Depending on how your blood pressure responds, your doctor may increase your dosage to 400 micrograms after 2 weeks. After a further 2 weeks, your doctor may increase your dosage to 600 micrograms per day. If you need 600 micrograms, this should be taken as a divided dose, not as one single dose. Take it at about the same time each day for the best effect. It doesn’t matter if you take it with or without food.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you’re supposed to. If there’s still a long time before your next dose, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to your normal schedule. Do not take two doses within 6 hours of each other, and never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never take two doses within 6 hours of each other, as this may increase the chance of unwanted side effects.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Lack of energy
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Feeling sick, nausea
- Problems sleeping
- Skin flushing
- Anxiety
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe allergic skin reactions (rash, itching, inflamed or reddened skin)
- Swelling of the limbs
- Angioedema (unusual swelling of face, eyes, lips, inside nose, mouth or throat)
- Shortness of breath
- Breathing or swallowing difficulties
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Moxonidine GX should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Moxonidine GX
Do not take Moxonidine GX if you: are allergic to moxonidine or any ingredients listed; are pregnant or think you may be pregnant; are breastfeeding (as it passes into breast milk); are aged 75 years or more; have heart problems such as heart failure or abnormal rhythm; have severe kidney disease. Do not give to children under 16 years as safety has not been established.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: any allergies to medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives; angioedema (unusual swelling of face, lips or tongue); depression; epilepsy; glaucoma; heart problems; kidney problems; leg pains or cramps from poor blood circulation; Parkinson’s disease; Raynaud’s disease (fingers go pale and blue in cold).
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Moxonidine GX if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant. Do not take while breastfeeding as the medicine passes into breast milk. Your doctor can discuss the risks and benefits if you become pregnant while taking this medicine.
Age Restriction: Do not use if you are aged 75 years or more, and do not give to children under 16 years.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Moxonidine GX and affect how it works, or may be affected by Moxonidine GX.
Blood pressure medications: Tell your doctor if you’re taking other blood pressure medicines, as they can have a combined effect and your doctor may need to adjust your dose.
- Other medicines to lower blood pressure (may have combined effect)
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline and imipramine
- Sleeping tablets or other medicines that cause drowsiness
Alcohol & Driving
Moxonidine GX may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, and alcohol should be avoided while taking this medication.
Alcohol
You should avoid drinking alcohol when taking Moxonidine GX. The effect of taking alcohol with Moxonidine GX has not been studied. Ask your doctor for advice about alcohol consumption.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Moxonidine GX affects you. This medicine may cause drowsiness, dizziness or light-headedness in some people. If you experience any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the original pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool dry place below 25°C away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is ideal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Moxonidine GX, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (Australia telephone 13 11 26) for advice, contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. If possible, show the doctor the pack of tablets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your doctor may adjust your dosage after 2 weeks depending on how your blood pressure responds, suggesting effects can be evaluated within this timeframe. However, it’s important to keep taking the medicine even if you feel well, as it helps control your condition.
Yes, it doesn’t matter if you take Moxonidine GX with or without food. Take it at about the same time each day for the best effect.
Do not stop taking Moxonidine GX suddenly or change the dosage without checking with your doctor first. The medicine helps control your blood pressure condition but does not cure it.
You should avoid drinking alcohol when taking Moxonidine GX. The effect of taking alcohol with this medicine has not been studied. Ask your doctor for advice about alcohol consumption.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. If there’s still a long time before your next dose, take it as soon as you remember. Never take two doses within 6 hours of each other or double up to make up for a missed dose.
Moxonidine GX should not be used by people aged 75 years or more. If you’re in this age group, discuss alternative treatments with your doctor.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly. Make sure you drink enough water, especially during exercise and hot weather. If this problem continues or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.