Drug interactions
Butorphanol + Clonidine
Severity: Moderate
Butorphanol 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
Both drugs depress the central nervous system, so together they can cause greater sedation, hypotension and bradycardia than either alone. This is particularly relevant in older or frail patients and with higher doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Butorphanol 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.
Butorphanol belongs to Musculoskeletal; Clonidine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and hypotension from opioid receptor agonism and central alpha-2 adrenergic agonism.
What to do
Start with reduced doses of butorphanol and titrate, monitoring sedation, blood pressure and heart rate. Counsel patients to avoid driving or other hazardous tasks.
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 Butorphanol
- Butorphanol + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Butorphanol + Sodium oxybate Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Butorphanol Major
- Alprazolam + Butorphanol Major
- Alvimopan + Butorphanol Major
- Amobarbital + Butorphanol Major
Other interactions of Clonidine
- Acebutolol + Clonidine Major
- Amifostine + Clonidine Major
- Amiodarone + Clonidine Major
- Amoxapine + Clonidine Major
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Clonidine Major
- Atenolol + Clonidine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Butorphanol with Clonidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Butorphanol 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. Both drugs depress the central nervous system, so together they can cause greater sedation, hypotension and bradycardia than either alone. This is particularly relevant in older or frail patients and with higher doses.
How serious is the interaction between Butorphanol 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: Start with reduced doses of butorphanol and titrate, monitoring sedation, blood pressure and heart rate. Counsel patients to avoid driving or other hazardous tasks.
What other medicines interact with Butorphanol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Butorphanol with, for example, Olanzapine / samidorphan, Sodium oxybate, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Butorphanol page.
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