Drug interactions
Clonidine + Hydromorphone
Severity: Moderate
Clonidine and Hydromorphone: 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 and lower blood pressure, so combined use can cause excessive sedation, hypotension and bradycardia. Respiratory depression is possible, particularly with higher opioid doses or in frail patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clonidine and Hydromorphone 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; Hydromorphone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive central sedative and hypotensive effects from opioid agonism and central alpha-2 agonism.
What to do
Start with the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiratory rate, especially during titration. Counsel patients about orthostatic dizziness and reduce either dose if symptoms occur.
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 Hydromorphone
- Alvimopan + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Bupropion-naltrexone + Hydromorphone Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Hydromorphone + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
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 Hydromorphone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clonidine and Hydromorphone 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 and lower blood pressure, so combined use can cause excessive sedation, hypotension and bradycardia. Respiratory depression is possible, particularly with higher opioid doses or in frail patients.
How serious is the interaction between Clonidine and Hydromorphone?
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 the lowest effective doses and monitor sedation, blood pressure and respiratory rate, especially during titration. Counsel patients about orthostatic dizziness and reduce either dose if symptoms occur.
What other medicines interact with Hydromorphone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydromorphone with, for example, Alvimopan, Bupropion-naltrexone, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Hydromorphone page.
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