clonidine vs metoprolol
Side-by-side comparison of clonidine and metoprolol. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
( 7.3 ) Concomitant use of glycosides, clonidine, and diltiazem and verapamil with beta-blockers can increase the risk of bradycardia. ( 7.4 ) Beta-blockers including metoprolol, may exacerbate the rebound hypertension that can follow the withdrawal of clonidine. 7.4 Negative Chronotropes Digitalis glycosides, clonidine, diltiazem and verapamil slow atrioventricular conduction and decrease heart rate.
Recommendation: Your doctor should monitor your heart rate and blood pressure regularly. Do not stop taking either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider.
Catapres
Lopressor, Toprol-XL
Clonidine (Catapres) is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure. It can be used alone or with other blood pressure medicines.
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker medicine. It can lower blood pressure, reduce chest pain, and improve survival after a heart attack.
Clonidine is used to treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney problems. This medicine helps to lower your blood pressure to a safer level.
Metoprolol treats high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. It also treats chest pain called angina. After a heart attack, it can help you live longer.
Clonidine works in the brain to lower blood pressure. It tells your blood vessels to relax and widen. This makes it easier for blood to flow through your body, which lowers blood pressure.
Metoprolol blocks the effects of adrenaline on the heart. This makes the heart beat slower and with less force. As a result, blood pressure is lowered and the heart does not need as much oxygen.
- • Dry mouth (occurs in about 40 out of 100 people)
- • Drowsiness (occurs in about 33 out of 100 people)
- • Dizziness (occurs in about 16 out of 100 people)
- • Constipation (occurs in about 10 out of 100 people)
- • Feeling sleepy or sedated (occurs in about 10 out of 100 people)
- • Tiredness
- • Dizziness
- • Depression
- • Shortness of breath
- • Slow heart rate
- Pain 3,038
- Tiredness 2,922
- Feeling sick to your stomach 2,918
- Headache 2,799
- High blood pressure 2,597
- Tiredness 15,963
- Shortness of breath 14,131
- Diarrhea 13,634
- Feeling sick to your stomach 13,392
- Feeling lightheaded 11,697
If you suddenly stop taking clonidine, your blood pressure may increase. This can cause serious problems. Talk to your doctor before stopping this medicine.
Stopping metoprolol suddenly can make chest pain worse or cause a heart attack. If you have heart failure, it could get worse. If you have asthma or other lung problems, avoid beta-blockers if possible.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if clonidine will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Metoprolol can cross the placenta, and may cause low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and a slow heart rate in the newborn. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
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How to Read This clonidine vs metoprolol Comparison
clonidine is classified in the Central Alpha-2 Agonist drug class, while metoprolol sits within the Beta-Blocker class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, clonidine has 14,274 submissions while metoprolol has 68,817. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both drugs work to slow down your heart rate, which can cause your heart to beat too slowly when taken together. additionally, stopping one of these drugs suddenly can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between clonidine and metoprolol - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.