Drug interactions
Clonidine + Nitroglycerin rectal
Severity: Moderate
Clonidine and Nitroglycerin rectal: 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
Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that can reduce blood pressure, and clonidine lowers sympathetic tone. Together they may cause additive hypotension, dizziness and syncope.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clonidine and Nitroglycerin rectal 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
Additive hypotension from nitric oxide mediated vasodilation and central sympatholytic action.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure, particularly when initiating treatment, and advise slow position changes. Adjust the dose of either drug if symptomatic hypotension develops.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clonidine with Nitroglycerin rectal?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clonidine and Nitroglycerin rectal 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. Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator that can reduce blood pressure, and clonidine lowers sympathetic tone. Together they may cause additive hypotension, dizziness and syncope.
How serious is the interaction between Clonidine and Nitroglycerin rectal?
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, particularly when initiating treatment, and advise slow position changes. Adjust the dose of either drug if symptomatic hypotension develops.
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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