{"id":633735,"date":"2025-10-02T11:30:50","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T15:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633735"},"modified":"2026-01-28T14:07:22","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T19:07:22","slug":"clonidine-interactions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/clonidine-interactions\/","title":{"rendered":"Catapres (clonidine) interactions to avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Catapres<\/span><\/a> is the <\/span>brand name<\/span> for <\/span>clonidine<\/span><\/a>, an <\/span>alpha-2 adrenergic agonist<\/span><\/a> that\u2019s FDA approved to treat <\/span>hypertension<\/span>, as well as <\/span>attention deficit hyperactivity disorder<\/span> (ADHD) in children, tic management in <\/span>conditions<\/span> like Tourette syndrome, cancer-related <\/span>pain<\/span>, and neonatal <\/span>opioid withdrawal<\/span> syndrome.<\/span><\/p>\n

Catapres<\/span> can interact negatively with several <\/span>drugs<\/span>, including <\/span>beta-blockers<\/span>, <\/span>calcium channel blockers<\/span>, <\/span>tricyclic antidepressants<\/span>, opioids, and other sedatives. When taken with these <\/span>drugs<\/span>, <\/span>people<\/span> may experience dangerously <\/span>low blood pressure<\/span> or lowered <\/span>heart rate<\/span> which may result in fainting, <\/span>drowsiness<\/span>, or <\/span>dizziness<\/span>. It\u2019s essential to keep your <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span> updated if you are taking <\/span>Catapres<\/span>, and share information about other <\/span>medications<\/span> you are taking.<\/span><\/p>\n

Catapres<\/span> drug interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Catapres<\/span> can interact with certain <\/span>medications<\/span>. On its own, <\/span>Catapres<\/span> has <\/span>side effects<\/span><\/a> like <\/span>low blood pressure<\/span>, <\/span>dizziness<\/span>, <\/span>drowsiness<\/span>, and lowered <\/span>heart rate<\/span>. When combined with other <\/span>medications<\/span> with similar effects, these symptoms become amplified, resulting in more <\/span>serious side effects<\/span> and <\/span>adverse reactions<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>following medicines<\/span> may interact poorly with <\/span>Catapres<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Drug class or group name<\/b><\/td>\nDrug name<\/b><\/td>\nInteractions\/side effects<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Beta blockers<\/span><\/td>\nLopresor (metoprolol)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Tenormin (atenolol)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Bisoprolol<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Inderal (propranolol)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n

Low blood pressure, low heart rate, dizziness, fainting<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Calcium channel blockers<\/span><\/td>\nNorvasc (amlodipine)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Verelan (verapamil)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Diltiazem<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n

Can lower blood pressure excessively causing dizziness and fainting<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tricyclic antidepressants<\/span><\/td>\nAnafranil (clomipramine)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Amoxapine<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Surmontil (trimipramine maleate)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n

Can reduce effectiveness of Catapres, increase sedation, cause unstable blood pressure<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Central nervous system depressants like <\/span>benzodiazepines<\/span> and opioids<\/span><\/td>\nKlonopin (clonazepam)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Xanax (alprazolam)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Percocet<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Oxycontin (oxycodone)<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n

Can cause excessive drowsiness, respiratory depression, disorientation, and coordination issues<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Beta blockers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Beta blockers<\/span><\/a> are <\/span>medications<\/span> prescribed to treat <\/span>hypertension<\/span>, chest <\/span>pain<\/span>, <\/span>heart failure<\/span>, an <\/span>irregular heartbeat<\/span>, and other cardiovascular <\/span>conditions<\/span>. \u201c<\/span>Beta blockers<\/span> may increase the rebound hypertensive effects of <\/span>Catapres<\/span>,\u201d explains <\/span>Jessica Iroanya<\/span><\/a>, Pharm.D., BCMTMS. That means that combining <\/span>beta blockers<\/span> with <\/span>Catapres<\/span> can cause excessively <\/span>low blood pressure<\/span>, slow down your <\/span>heart rate<\/span> too much, and cause symptoms like <\/span>dizziness<\/span> or fainting.<\/span><\/p>\n

Calcium channel blockers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Calcium channel blockers<\/span><\/a> are <\/span>medications<\/span> that <\/span>lower blood pressure<\/span> by preventing calcium from entering your blood vessel cells, causing the <\/span>blood vessels<\/span> to relax. This reduces <\/span>blood pressure<\/span>. Similar to <\/span>beta blockers<\/span>, the problem with mixing <\/span>calcium channel blockers<\/span> with <\/span>Catapres<\/span> is that they have similar <\/span>side effects<\/span> to each other. \u201c<\/span>Calcium channel blockers<\/span> can enhance the <\/span>blood pressure<\/span> lowering <\/span>effects of clonidine<\/span>, increasing the risk of hypotension,\u201d Dr. Iroanya describes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tricyclic antidepressants<\/span><\/h2>\n

Tricyclic antidepressants<\/span><\/a> are a type of antidepressant with less effectiveness compared to SSRIs and are more likely to cause <\/span>side effects<\/span>. According to Ritu Goel, MD, psychiatrist at <\/span>Mindclaire Psychiatry<\/span><\/a>, combining <\/span>tricyclic antidepressants<\/span> with <\/span>Catapres<\/span> \u201ccan increase the metabolism of <\/span>clonidine<\/span>, reducing its effectiveness, as well as increasing <\/span>sedation<\/span> and leading to unstable <\/span>blood pressure<\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Central nervous system depressants<\/span><\/h2>\n

Central nervous system depressants<\/span><\/a> are <\/span>medications<\/span> that slow down your brain activity and have calming and relaxing effects. Examples of central nervous system depressants include<\/span> benzodiazepines<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>opioids<\/span><\/a>, which can interact poorly with <\/span>Catapres<\/span>. Additionally, says Dr. Goel, \u201csleep aids, and even allergy <\/span>medications<\/span> like hydroxyzine can interact with <\/span>clonidine<\/span>, resulting in excessive <\/span>drowsiness<\/span>, respiratory depression, confusion, or impaired reaction time and coordination.\u201d This may pose safety risks while driving or operating machinery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Catapres<\/span> and grapefruit<\/span><\/h3>\n

Catapres<\/span> doesn\u2019t interact poorly with any food. Although many <\/span>medications<\/span> interact with grapefruit, when it comes to <\/span>Catapres<\/span>, \u201cno known harmful interactions exist,\u201d Dr. Goel says. Still, according to Dr. Goel, consuming large amounts of grapefruit may cause interactions with <\/span>medications<\/span> like <\/span>Catapres<\/span>. Dr. Iroanya suggests eating grapefruit in moderation when taking Catapres.<\/span><\/p>\n

Catapres<\/span> and <\/span>alcohol<\/span><\/h3>\n

Like opioids and benzodiazepines, <\/span>alcohol<\/span><\/a> is also a central nervous depressant. As such, it can be dangerous to combine <\/span>Catapres<\/span> with <\/span>alcohol<\/span>. \u201cBeing a CNS depressant, <\/span>Catapres<\/span> can increase <\/span>drowsiness<\/span>, <\/span>dizziness<\/span>, and increased reaction time,\u201d Dr. Goel says. \u201cI recommend avoiding <\/span>alcohol<\/span> when on the <\/span>medication<\/span>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Catapres<\/span> and caffeine<\/span><\/h3>\n

Caffeine<\/span><\/a> doesn\u2019t have to be avoided completely when taking <\/span>Catapres<\/span>, but some precaution is warranted. \u201cCaffeine might slightly raise <\/span>blood pressure<\/span>, but small amounts are usually okay,\u201d Dr. Iroanya says. If you are consuming caffeine with <\/span>Catapres<\/span>, \u201cit is advised to monitor <\/span>blood pressure<\/span> and <\/span>heart rate<\/span>,\u201d Dr. Goel shares.<\/span><\/p>\n

Combining Catapres<\/span> with CBD and illicit <\/span>drugs<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to Dr. Goel, mixing <\/span>Catapres<\/span> with CBD can increase some of the sleep-inducing effects of both <\/span>drugs<\/span>, making you more lethargic and drowsy ,and may cause difficulty waking. The same is true of marijuana, which is another central nervous depressant that can interact poorly with <\/span>Catapres<\/span>, according to Dr. Goel.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the flip side, certain <\/span>central nervous system stimulants<\/span><\/a> can also be dangerous when combined with <\/span>Catapres<\/span>. \u201cPsychostimulants like cocaine, MDMA, and methamphetamine can dangerously interact to increase <\/span>blood pressure<\/span> or even cause arrhythmias (irregular <\/span>heart rate<\/span>),\u201d Dr. Goel warns.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Catapres<\/span> and herbal supplements<\/span><\/h3>\n

There are certain herbal supplements that may interact poorly with <\/span>Catapres<\/span>. \u201cIt is important to disclose all herbal supplements and vitamins being taken to your provider, as there can be <\/span>drug interactions<\/span> with some herbal supplements,\u201d Dr. Goel says. She warns against combining <\/span>Catapres<\/span> with <\/span>St. John\u2019s wort<\/span><\/a>, which can lessen the effectiveness of <\/span>Catapres<\/span> while metabolizing it faster. Additionally, Valerian root and melatonin may increase <\/span>sedation<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to minimize <\/span>Catapres<\/span> interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

To date, no <\/span>clinical<\/span> trials<\/span> have been conducted on the use of Catapres in pregnant individuals. As such, <\/span>Catapres<\/span> should be avoided if you are pregnant. It\u2019s not known if Catapres gets into the <\/span>breast milk <\/span>of breastfeeding parents<\/span><\/a>, so caution should be exercised if you are taking <\/span>Catapres<\/span> while breastfeeding.<\/span><\/p>\n

Overall, if you are taking <\/span>Catapres<\/span>, it is important to remain in close contact with your <\/span>healthcare provider<\/span> or <\/span>pharmacist<\/span>. \u201cIt is essential to provide your <\/span>doctor<\/span> with a complete <\/span>list<\/span> of all <\/span>medications<\/span>, supplements, and herbal treatments you are currently taking,\u201d Dr. Goel says. \u201cThis will allow the <\/span>doctor<\/span> to review any possible interactions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are Dr. Goel\u2019s recommendations for managing <\/span>Catapres<\/span> interactions:<\/span><\/p>\n