Drug interactions
Amitriptyline + Clonidine
Severity: Moderate
Amitriptyline and Clonidine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Tricyclic antidepressants can blunt the antihypertensive effect of clonidine, causing loss of blood pressure control. Additive sedation and orthostatic effects may also occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amitriptyline and Clonidine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Amitriptyline belongs to Central Nervous System; Clonidine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Tricyclics block adrenergic neuronal uptake and have alpha-2 antagonist effects, opposing clonidine's central action.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure when starting or stopping the tricyclic and increase clonidine or switch antihypertensive if control is lost. Avoid abrupt clonidine withdrawal.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Clonidine
- Acebutolol + Clonidine Major
- Amifostine + Clonidine Major
- Amiodarone + Clonidine Major
- Amoxapine + Clonidine Major
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Clonidine Major
- Atenolol + Clonidine Major
Other interactions of Amitriptyline
- Amitriptyline + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Safinamide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amitriptyline with Clonidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amitriptyline and Clonidine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Tricyclic antidepressants can blunt the antihypertensive effect of clonidine, causing loss of blood pressure control. Additive sedation and orthostatic effects may also occur.
How serious is the interaction between Amitriptyline and Clonidine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure when starting or stopping the tricyclic and increase clonidine or switch antihypertensive if control is lost. Avoid abrupt clonidine withdrawal.
What other medicines interact with Clonidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Clonidine with, for example, Acebutolol, Amifostine, Amiodarone. The full list is on the Clonidine page.
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