This article describes possible interactions with clonidine oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Clonidine comes as a tablet that you’ll swallow. It’s also available as a liquid solution for injection, including for epidural use, and a patch you apply to the skin. Interactions of clonidine may vary depending on the form of clonidine you’re prescribed.
Need a diagnosis or prescription quickly? For certain health conditions, Optum Perks offers personalized on-demand care with no appointment required. For $25, answer a few questions online and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan from a board certified healthcare professional in 15 minutes or less. Get started here.
Other drugs and clonidine
The drugs in the list below may interact with clonidine oral tablet. This article does not include all drugs that may interact with clonidine.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with clonidine oral tablet include:
- antipsychotic drugs:
- benzodiazepines:
- drug examples: alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium, others)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of clonidine and the benzodiazepine drug
- beta-blockers:
- drug examples: metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), carvedilol (Coreg)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of the beta-blocker drug and clonidine
- calcium channel blockers (CCBs):
- drug examples: diltiazem (Cardizem, others), verapamil (Verelan, others)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of the CCB drug and clonidine
- catechol-o-methyl-transferase (COMT) inhibitors:
- drug examples: entacapone (Comtan), tolcapone (Tasmar)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of the COMT inhibitor drug and clonidine
- muscle relaxants:
- drug examples: cyclobenzaprine (Amrix), tizanidine (Zanaflex)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of the muscle relaxant drug and clonidine
- opioids:
- drug examples: morphine (MS Contin, others), fentanyl (Fentora, others)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of the opioid drug and clonidine
- sedatives/hypnotics:
- drug examples: zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of the sedative/hypnotic drug and clonidine
- tricyclic antidepressants:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
- drug examples: ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), nabumetone (Relafen)
- what might happen: can make clonidine less effective
- digoxin (Lanoxin):
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.
Questions about clonidine and interactions
You’ll find answers to some common questions about clonidine and possible interactions here.
What can you not take with clonidine?
It depends on certain factors, including your personal health, other medications you take, and your treatment plan.
According to the drugmaker, no medications have contraindications with clonidine. “Contraindication” refers to a situation where a doctor should not prescribe a medication. To learn more, see the “When to avoid clonidine” section below.
However, there are instances where it may not be safe to take certain medications with clonidine. This varies depending on your personal health factors. For more details, see the “Other drugs and clonidine” section above.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about what drugs you should not take with clonidine based on your health.
Does magnesium interact with clonidine oral tablet?
No. Magnesium is not known to interact with clonidine oral tablet. Instead, magnesium may help lower blood pressure.
Magnesium supplements can also benefit sleep, mood, and heart health, among other uses.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to learn more about magnesium and clonidine oral tablet. You can learn more about magnesium and blood pressure in this article.
Alcohol and clonidine
Clonidine oral tablet is known to have interactions with alcohol.
Taking clonidine oral tablet and drinking alcohol may cause or worsen side effects, including:
Reports indicate that clonidine can increase your sensitivity to alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking clonidine oral tablet. They’ll likely suggest avoiding or minimizing alcohol consumption during treatment.
When to avoid clonidine
If you have certain health conditions or other factors that could increase some risks with clonidine oral tablet, a doctor may not prescribe clonidine. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a contraindication for clonidine oral tablet:
- Past allergic reaction to clonidine. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to clonidine oral tablet, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start taking clonidine, tell your doctor if the above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take clonidine.
Other interactions and clonidine
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. You can learn whether clonidine oral tablet has these interactions below.
The information below does not include all other possible interactions with clonidine.
Clonidine and supplements
Before taking clonidine oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
Clonidine oral tablet may interact with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and fish oil supplements. Some people use these supplements to support heart health, among other uses.
Taking clonidine and a CoQ10 or fish oil supplement can increase the risk of low blood pressure as a side effect of clonidine.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Clonidine interactions and herbs
Clonidine oral tablet is not known to interact with any herbs. But this does not mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking clonidine oral tablet.
Clonidine interactions and vitamins
Clonidine oral tablet is not known to interact with any vitamins. But this does not mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while using clonidine oral tablet.
Clonidine and food
Clonidine oral tablet is not known to interact with foods. But this does not mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking clonidine oral tablet.
Clonidine and vaccines
Clonidine oral tablet is not known to interact with any vaccines. But this does not mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking clonidine oral tablet.
Clonidine and lab tests
Clonidine oral tablet is not known to interact with lab tests. But this does not mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking clonidine oral tablet.
Clonidine and cannabis or CBD
Reports have shown cannabidiol (CBD), may interact with clonidine. CBD is an example of a cannabis (commonly called marijuana) product.
Taking clonidine and using cannabis may increase the risk of side effects of clonidine and cannabidiol, including problems with balance and coordination.
Before you take clonidine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and clonidine
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with clonidine oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking clonidine, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether clonidine is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with clonidine oral tablet:
Preventing clonidine interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with clonidine oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- What other medications, vitamins, and supplements you take. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking clonidine oral tablet.
Taking clonidine exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about clonidine and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- If I take clonidine and have certain health conditions, will I be monitored more closely during treatment?
- Do other drugs that could treat my condition have similar interactions?
- Does my risk of interactions depend on my dosage of clonidine?
- How do clonidine oral tablet interactions compare with those of clonidine transdermal patch?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
