Clonidine test

Purpose

To investigate somatotropic function by stimulating growth hormone production.

Subject preparation

Subject fasting for 12 hours and at rest for 30 min.

Product

Clonidine (Catapressan®, 0.150 mg tablets) Boehringer Ingelheim France.

Dose

One 0.150 mg Catapressan® tablet.

Protocol

• Samples (dry tubes) at time intervals: -15 min (T-15) and 0 (T0).
• Oral administration of one Catapressan® tablet.
• Samples (dry tubes) at time intervals T+30, T+45, T+60, T+90 and T+180 min.

Samples

After centrifugation, freeze serum at –20°C.

Side effects

• Close medical supervision is required due to the risk of HYPOTENSION
• Check pulse and blood pressure every 30 min.
• If blood pressure drops or the patient feels faint, administer one 100 mg vial of hydrocortisone sodium succinate.

Assay

Growth Hormone (GH).