Drug interactions
Clonidine + Methadone
Severity: Moderate
Clonidine and Methadone: 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 can cause sedation, hypotension and bradycardia, and methadone adds CNS and respiratory depression. The combination may increase sedation and hypotension, though clonidine is also used to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clonidine and Methadone 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; Methadone belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and hypotensive effects from alpha-2 agonism and opioid activity.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and sedation, starting clonidine at a low dose. Counsel patients about orthostatic dizziness.
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 Methadone
- Alvimopan + Methadone Contraindicated
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Methadone Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Methadone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Methadone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Methadone Contraindicated
- Lefamulin + Methadone 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 Methadone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clonidine and Methadone 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 can cause sedation, hypotension and bradycardia, and methadone adds CNS and respiratory depression. The combination may increase sedation and hypotension, though clonidine is also used to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms.
How serious is the interaction between Clonidine and Methadone?
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, heart rate and sedation, starting clonidine at a low dose. Counsel patients about orthostatic dizziness.
What other medicines interact with Methadone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Methadone with, for example, Alvimopan, Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates, Droperidol. The full list is on the Methadone page.
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