Prescription medication · Central Alpha-2 Agonist
clonidine
Also sold as Catapres. Clonidine is used to treat high blood pressure.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 49,370
- FDA reportsOften reported
- 29
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- 3
- Recall records
What the data shows
clonidine (Catapres) is a prescription Central Alpha-2 Agonist, reported at a middle-of-the-pack volume (49,370 FDA reports), with 29 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
clonidine (Catapres) is a prescription Central Alpha-2 Agonist. Clonidine is used to treat high blood pressure.
Clonidine (Catapres) is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure. It can be used alone or with other blood pressure medicines.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$5.80/unit
Generic Available
Yes (20 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Clonidine is used to treat high blood pressure.
Common side effects
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)
Key warnings
If you suddenly stop taking clonidine, your blood pressure may increase.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from clonidine's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
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.
How to Take It
Take clonidine exactly as your doctor tells you. The starting dose is usually 0.1 mg twice a day, once in the morning and once at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose by 0.1 mg each week until your blood pressure is controlled. You can take it with or without food.
This is a plain-language summary of clonidine's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
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.
This is a plain-language summary of clonidine's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of clonidine's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store clonidine at room temperature (between 59° to 86°F) in a tightly closed container, away from light.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 49,370 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for clonidine, by number of reports
- Pain
Pain
3,038 reports
- Tiredness
Tiredness
2,922 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
2,918 reports
- Headache
Headache
2,799 reports
- High blood pressure
High blood pressure
2,597 reports
- Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath
2,295 reports
- Diarrhea
Diarrhea
2,200 reports
- Long-term kidney problems
Long-term kidney problems
2,113 reports
- Throwing up
Throwing up
2,031 reports
- Kidney failure
Kidney failure
1,914 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for clonidine each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where clonidine sits
clonidine has more FDA adverse-event reports than 73% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is clonidine; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 49,370 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2004–2025.
Total Reports
49,370
Reports Mentioning Death
5,854
11.9% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
17,724
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | PAIN | 3,038 |
| 3 | FATIGUE | 2,925 |
| 4 | NAUSEA | 2,920 |
| 6 | HEADACHE | 2,798 |
| 7 | HYPERTENSION | 2,595 |
| 8 | DYSPNOEA | 2,296 |
| 9 | DIARRHOEA | 2,201 |
| 10 | CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE | 2,113 |
| 11 | VOMITING | 2,031 |
| 12 | RENAL FAILURE | 1,916 |
| 13 | DIZZINESS | 1,876 |
| 14 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 1,818 |
| 15 | BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED | 1,691 |
| 16 | ANXIETY | 1,598 |
| 17 | HYPOTENSION | 1,542 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
If you suddenly stop taking clonidine, your blood pressure may increase. This can cause serious problems. Talk to your doctor before stopping this medicine.
Known Drug Interactions
( 7.1 , 7.5 ) Hypotensive agents (e.g., reserpine, MAO inhibitors, clonidine) may increase the risk of hypotension and/or severe bradycardia. Concomitant administration of clonidine with a β-blocker may cause hypotension and bradycardia. When concomitant treatment with a β-blocker and clonidine is to be terminated, the β-blocker should be discontinued first.
Mechanism: Both drugs lower blood pressure and slow down the heart rate. Taking them together can make these effects too strong, causing a dangerously slow heart or very low blood pressure.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your heart rate and blood pressure. If you need to stop these medicines, follow your doctor's specific order to stop the beta-blocker first.
( 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.
Mechanism: 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.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your heart rate and blood pressure regularly. Do not stop taking either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider.
Examples: beta-blockers, clonidine, guanethidine, and reserpine Clopidogrel : Avoid concomitant use; if used concomitantly initiate at 0.5 mg before each meal and limit total daily dose to 4 mg (7) Cyclosporine : Limit daily dose of repaglinide to 6 mg and increase frequency of glucose monitoring when co-administered (7) CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 Inhibitors and Drugs That May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia : Co-administration may require repaglinide dose reductions and increased frequency of glucose monitoring (7) CYP2C8 and CYP3A4 Inducers and Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering...
Mechanism: Clonidine can hide the warning signs of low blood sugar and may also cause blood sugar to drop further when taken with repaglinide.
What to do: Your doctor may need to lower your repaglinide dose and you should check your blood sugar levels more often.
7.6 Clonidine Concomitant use with sotalol increases the risk of bradycardia and AV block. Because beta-blockers may potentiate the rebound hypertension sometimes observed after clonidine discontinuation, withdraw sotalol several days before the gradual withdrawal of clonidine to reduce the risk of rebound hypertension.
Mechanism: Both of these medicines slow down your heart rate, which can cause your heart to beat too slowly. Additionally, taking them together can cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure if the clonidine is stopped suddenly.
What to do: If you need to stop these drugs, your doctor should have you stop sotalol several days before you slowly lower your clonidine dose. Monitor your heart rate and blood pressure closely.
Amitriptyline in combination with clonidine enhances the manifestation of corneal lesions in rats (see Toxicology ). In combination with amitriptyline, clonidine hydrochloride administration led to the development of corneal lesions in rats within 5 days.
Mechanism: These drugs may work together to cause damage to the clear front part of the eye.
What to do: Tell your doctor if you notice any eye pain or changes in your vision while taking these medicines.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
Can I drink alcohol while taking clonidine?
Will clonidine make me sleepy?
How long does it take for clonidine to start working?
Can I drive while taking clonidine?
What should I do if I feel dizzy while taking clonidine?
Can I take clonidine with other medicines?
What if I have kidney problems?
Can clonidine cause dry eyes?
Is it okay to stop taking this medication if I feel better?
What number can I call if I have questions about this medication?
What are the common side effects of clonidine?
Does clonidine interact with other medications?
What drug class is clonidine?
Is clonidine safe during pregnancy?
Has clonidine been recalled?
Active Recalls
CGMP Deviations: use of an unapproved raw material
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc
CGMP Deviations: use of an unapproved raw material
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc
CGMP Deviations: use of an unapproved raw material
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc
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amiloride
Midamor
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amlodipine
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amlodipine/benazepril
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Lotrel is a combination medicine that contains amlodipine and benazepril.
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for clonidine
The FDA label for clonidine (sold under brand names such as Catapres) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Central Alpha-2 Agonist class. Clonidine is used to treat high blood pressure. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including 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).
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 49,370 voluntary reports. The database also lists 29 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $5.80.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 3 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC).
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: May 22, 2025
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages