clonidine

General information

• Primary label indications include: Hypertension (label).
• Class: Adjunctive therapy
• Common US brands: CATAPRES
• Typical dose range: Hypertension labeling commonly starts at 0.1 mg twice daily (morning and bedtime) (label).
• Therapeutic drug monitoring not routinely recommended.
• Last reviewed: 2025-12-30

Dosing & forms

• Forms/strengths: Immediate-release tablets: 0.1 mg, 0.2 mg, 0.3 mg.
• Frequency: Hypertension labeling commonly starts at 0.1 mg twice daily (morning and bedtime) (label).
• Typical range: Hypertension labeling commonly starts at 0.1 mg twice daily (morning and bedtime) (label).

Mechanism (brief)

Alpha-2 adrenergic agonist; reduces central sympathetic outflow (antihypertensive; also used off-label in psychiatry).

Metabolism & Half‑life

• Metabolism: Hepatic metabolism (multiple pathways)
• Half‑life: Single-dose range 12–16 h

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)

Recommended: No

Monitoring highlights

• Baseline and periodic blood pressure and heart rate, especially during titration or dose changes.
• Orthostasis, dizziness, and sedation; adjust dosing timing and review interacting medications if symptoms emerge.
• Renal impairment and medication adherence; missed doses can trigger rebound hypertension in some patients.
• Discontinuation plan documented in advance to reduce rebound hypertension and agitation risk.

Sources

• Clonidine hydrochloride tablets prescribing information — DailyMed (2025)
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (NICE guideline NG87) — NICE (2018)
• Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Children and Adolescents — Pediatrics (2019)
• Comparative efficacy and tolerability of medications for ADHD (systematic review and network meta-analysis) — Lancet Psychiatry (2018)