Drug interactions
Clonidine + Lorazepam
Severity: Moderate
Clonidine and Lorazepam: 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 has central sedative effects and lorazepam is a benzodiazepine, so together they can produce greater sedation, psychomotor impairment and possibly hypotension. Older or frail patients are at higher risk of falls and confusion.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clonidine and Lorazepam 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; Lorazepam belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression through central alpha-2 agonism plus GABA-A potentiation.
What to do
Start with low doses and monitor sedation, blood pressure and heart rate. Warn patients about driving and alcohol, and reduce doses if oversedation occurs.
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 Lorazepam
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clonidine with Lorazepam?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clonidine and Lorazepam 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 has central sedative effects and lorazepam is a benzodiazepine, so together they can produce greater sedation, psychomotor impairment and possibly hypotension. Older or frail patients are at higher risk of falls and confusion.
How serious is the interaction between Clonidine and Lorazepam?
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 low doses and monitor sedation, blood pressure and heart rate. Warn patients about driving and alcohol, and reduce doses if oversedation occurs.
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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