Drug interactions
Clonidine + Esketamine
Severity: Moderate
Clonidine and Esketamine: 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
Clonidine causes sedation and lowers blood pressure, while esketamine causes sedation and transient blood pressure elevation. Sedation may be additive and blood pressure may fluctuate, and abrupt changes in clonidine therapy could also affect blood pressure around dosing.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clonidine and Esketamine 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.
Clonidine belongs to Cardiovascular; Esketamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression with opposing central and peripheral effects on blood pressure.
What to do
Monitor sedation and blood pressure before and after esketamine, and do not stop clonidine abruptly around treatment sessions.
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 Esketamine
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 Clonidine with Esketamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clonidine and Esketamine 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. Clonidine causes sedation and lowers blood pressure, while esketamine causes sedation and transient blood pressure elevation. Sedation may be additive and blood pressure may fluctuate, and abrupt changes in clonidine therapy could also affect blood pressure around dosing.
How serious is the interaction between Clonidine and Esketamine?
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 sedation and blood pressure before and after esketamine, and do not stop clonidine abruptly around treatment sessions.
What other medicines interact with Esketamine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Esketamine with, for example, Alfentanil, Amobarbital, Belladonna and opium. The full list is on the Esketamine page.
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