Menograine contains clonidine at a low strength (25 mcg). Despite clonidine being better known as a blood pressure medicine, Menograine is used mainly for two other purposes: preventing recurrent migraine, and easing the hot flushes and sweats of menopause. It is a preventive treatment, not something taken during an attack.
What is Menograine?
Menograine is registered in South Africa as Schedule 2:
| Product | Contains |
|---|---|
| Menograine | Clonidine 25 mcg (tablet) |
| Menograine Drops | Clonidine hydrochloride (drops) |
Note the strength: 25 micrograms, not milligrams. This is a very low dose — clonidine used for blood pressure is typically given at several times this amount. The low strength is deliberate, and it is why Menograine is used for symptoms rather than for hypertension.
Clonidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. It stimulates alpha-2 receptors, which reduces the outflow of nerve signals that constrict blood vessels and drive the “fight or flight” response. In blood pressure treatment that lowers pressure. At the low doses in Menograine, the useful effect is different: it stabilises how blood vessels respond to the signals that trigger dilation and constriction.
That instability is thought to underlie both of Menograine’s uses:
- In migraine, changes in vascular tone form part of the attack process.
- In menopausal flushing, the flush is a sudden inappropriate dilation of skin blood vessels, triggered by a temperature-regulating system disturbed by falling oestrogen.
The name reflects those two uses — meno for menopause, graine for migraine.
Menograine is not a painkiller. It does nothing for a headache already underway, and it is not a hormone.
What is Menograine commonly used for?
- Preventing recurrent migraine, reducing how often attacks occur, taken every day rather than at the first sign of one.
- Hot flushes and night sweats in menopause, particularly for women who cannot or prefer not to take hormone replacement therapy — including many who have had breast cancer.
- Flushing after certain cancer treatments, on specialist advice.
- Vascular headache more generally.
It takes time to work, and it does not work for everyone. For migraine prevention, a fair trial is usually several weeks to a couple of months before judging it. Stopping after a week because nothing has changed is the most common reason people conclude it failed.
Its effect on menopausal flushing is real but modest — generally a reduction in frequency and intensity rather than elimination. Hormone therapy is more effective for most women who can take it; clonidine is a useful option for those who cannot.
Migraine prevention is also not the whole picture. Identifying triggers, sleep, hydration and managing medication-overuse headache all matter, and a preventive works best alongside them.
How Menograine fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Alpha-2 agonists | Clonidine (Menograine) | Migraine prevention, flushing; blood pressure at higher doses |
| Beta-blockers | Propranolol, bisoprolol | Migraine prevention; blood pressure and angina |
| Calcium channel blockers | Amlodipine | Blood pressure and angina |
| Diuretics | Hydrochlorothiazide (Ridaq) | Blood pressure, fluid retention |
| Triptans | Sumatriptan | Treat a migraine attack — not preventive |
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol, ibuprofen | Treat headache pain |
Menograine sits in this category because clonidine is fundamentally a cardiovascular medicine, even though this particular product is used for symptoms. See the blood pressure, heart and circulation medicines hub.
What to check before using Menograine
Do not stop it abruptly after regular use. Stopping clonidine suddenly can cause rebound — a sharp rise in blood pressure, agitation, headache, tremor, sweating and a racing heart. The risk is lower at Menograine’s small doses than with blood pressure doses, but the principle stands: reduce it gradually with medical guidance.
Take it consistently. As a preventive, it works only if taken regularly, not when symptoms appear.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- Have low blood pressure, or a tendency to faint.
- Have a slow heart rate, or heart block.
- Are already taking a blood pressure medicine. Clonidine can add to the lowering effect even at this dose.
- Have heart disease, or have had a recent heart attack.
- Have circulation problems such as Raynaud’s, which can worsen.
- Have kidney disease.
- Have depression, which clonidine can worsen.
- Have glaucoma, or notice dry eyes with contact lenses.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Take a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline, which can reduce clonidine’s effect.
- Take beta-blockers, sedatives or alcohol.
See how it affects you before driving. Drowsiness and dizziness are possible, particularly early on.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
The most common effects are dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, tiredness, constipation and disturbed sleep. Dry mouth is the one most people notice, and it often eases after the first weeks.
Seek medical advice if you develop:
- Fainting, or severe dizziness on standing.
- A very slow pulse.
- New or worsening low mood, or loss of interest in things.
- Cold, painful or discoloured fingers and toes.
- Marked confusion, particularly in an older person.
- Vivid dreams, nightmares or significant sleep disturbance.
- A rash, or swelling of the face, lips or tongue.
- Dry, gritty eyes, especially if you wear contact lenses.
Stand up slowly, particularly at first.
Speak to your doctor if migraines are not reducing after a fair trial of a couple of months, if attacks change in character, or if flushing remains disruptive — other options exist for both.
Some headache patterns need assessment rather than a preventive. See a doctor promptly for a headache that is sudden and severe (“worst ever”), a headache with fever and a stiff neck, one following a head injury, one with weakness, numbness, confusion or visual loss, or a headache that is new and persistent over the age of 50. Migraine prevention is not the answer to those.
Also mention it if you are taking painkillers for headache on most days — medication-overuse headache is common, and no preventive works well while it continues.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Blood Pressure, Heart & Circulation Medicines guides
- Read: Ciplavasc used for
- Read: Ridaq used for
Frequently asked questions
What are Menograine tablets used for? Preventing recurrent migraine and easing menopausal hot flushes and night sweats. Each tablet contains clonidine 25 mcg.
Is Menograine a painkiller? No. It is preventive, taken regularly to reduce how often migraines happen. It does nothing for an attack already underway.
Is Menograine a hormone? No. It contains clonidine and is an option for flushing in women who cannot or prefer not to use hormone therapy.
Is it a blood pressure tablet? Clonidine is used for blood pressure at much higher doses. Menograine’s 25 mcg strength is intended for migraine and flushing, not hypertension.
How long before it works? For migraine prevention, allow several weeks to a couple of months before judging it. It is not a quick-acting medicine.
Can I stop taking it when I feel better? Ask your doctor first. Clonidine should be reduced gradually rather than stopped suddenly.
Does it make you drowsy? It can, especially at first, along with dry mouth and dizziness. See how it affects you before driving.
Can I take painkillers with it? Usually yes, for an attack. But tell your doctor if you need painkillers most days — that can cause medication-overuse headache.