Drug interactions
Clonidine + Morphine
Severity: Moderate
Clonidine and Morphine: 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 and morphine together increase sedation, hypotension and bradycardia. Neuraxial use is a deliberate combination, but systemic use requires attention to blood pressure and breathing.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clonidine and Morphine 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; Morphine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression and hypotensive effects from alpha-2 agonism and opioid agonism.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure, heart rate, sedation and respiratory rate, and lower doses if needed. Avoid abrupt clonidine withdrawal.
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 Morphine
- Alvimopan + Morphine Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Morphine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Olanzapine / samidorphan Contraindicated
- Morphine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Morphine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Morphine Major
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 Morphine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clonidine and Morphine 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 and morphine together increase sedation, hypotension and bradycardia. Neuraxial use is a deliberate combination, but systemic use requires attention to blood pressure and breathing.
How serious is the interaction between Clonidine and Morphine?
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, sedation and respiratory rate, and lower doses if needed. Avoid abrupt clonidine withdrawal.
What other medicines interact with Morphine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Morphine with, for example, Alvimopan, Isocarboxazid, Olanzapine / samidorphan. The full list is on the Morphine page.
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