Drug interactions
Clonidine + Lofepramine
Severity: Moderate
Clonidine and Lofepramine: 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
Lofepramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, may reduce the antihypertensive effect of clonidine, leading to loss of blood pressure control. Rebound hypertension has been described with tricyclics in clonidine-treated patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clonidine and Lofepramine 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.
Why it happens
Inhibition of neuronal catecholamine reuptake and alpha-2 antagonism counteract clonidine's central action.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure when the antidepressant is started or stopped, and use a different antihypertensive if control is lost. Do not stop clonidine abruptly.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Clonidine and Lofepramine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Lofepramine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clonidine and Lofepramine 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. Lofepramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, may reduce the antihypertensive effect of clonidine, leading to loss of blood pressure control. Rebound hypertension has been described with tricyclics in clonidine-treated patients.
How serious is the interaction between Clonidine and Lofepramine?
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 the antidepressant is started or stopped, and use a different antihypertensive if control is lost. Do not stop clonidine abruptly.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
