What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Clonidine and esmolol
Esmolol's FDA label of March 14, 2025 names clonidine in its drug interactions section; clonidine's label does not name esmolol itself but warns about its class (Beta blockers). The esmolol label: “Antihypertensive agents clonidine or guanfacine: Beta-blockers also increase the risk of clonidine-, or guanfacine-withdrawal rebound hypertension.”
Check it at the source: the clonidine FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 30, 2026, Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc.); the esmolol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 14, 2025, Baxter Healthcare Company).
What does the clonidine label say about esmolol?
Clonidine's label does not name esmolol itself; it warns about its class (Beta blockers):
Clonidine label, drug interactionsMonitor heart rate in patients receiving clonidine concomitantly with agents known to affect sinus node function or AV nodal conduction, e.g. , digitalis, calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers.
Clonidine label, warningsThe likelihood of such reactions to discontinuation of clonidine therapy appears to be greater after administration of higher doses or continuation of concomitant beta-blocker treatment and special caution is therefore advised in these situations.
Source: FDA drug label (clonidine hydrochloride), Unichem Pharmaceuticals (USA), Inc., effective March 30, 2026 (SPL set 21bfa28f-20df-43fd-bb80-b720d3b40696), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the esmolol label say about clonidine?
Esmolol label, drug interactionsIn addition, with some drugs, beta blockade may precipitate increased withdrawal effects. (See clonidine, guanfacine, and moxonidine below.) BREVIBLOC injection should therefore be used only after careful individual assessment of the risks and expected benefits in patients receiving drugs that can cause these types of pharmacodynamic interactions, including but not limited to:
Esmolol Hydrochloride In Water label (WG Critical Care, LLC, May 31, 2024), drug interactionsAntihypertensive agents clonidine or guanfacine: Beta-blockers also increase the risk of clonidine-, or guanfacine-withdrawal rebound hypertension.
Source: FDA drug label (Esmolol Hydrochloride In Water, NDA205703), WG Critical Care, LLC, effective May 31, 2024 (SPL set 60b10020-f802-4fef-a487-0f11eca246c5), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Brevibloc), Baxter Healthcare Company, effective March 14, 2025 (SPL set 595cc3d5-1306-4828-aefa-5595219ffd62), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Clonidine | Esmolol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, ADHD, Pain | High blood pressure, Atrial fibrillation |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.0241 per tablet 0.1 mg tablet | n/a |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once