Drug interactions
Clonidine + Rufinamide
Severity: Minor
Clonidine and Rufinamide: minor 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
Both drugs can cause somnolence, dizziness and fatigue. Used together they may cause additive sedation and impaired coordination, and clonidine may add to hypotension-related dizziness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clonidine and Rufinamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Clonidine belongs to Cardiovascular; Rufinamide belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive central nervous system depressant effects.
What to do
Monitor for excessive drowsiness and dizziness when initiating or increasing either drug. Advise caution with driving and operating machinery.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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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 Rufinamide
- Carbamazepine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Desogestrel-ethinyl estradiol + Rufinamide Moderate
- Dronedarone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Esketamine + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone + Rufinamide Moderate
- Ethinyl estradiol-levonorgestrel + Rufinamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clonidine with Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Clonidine and Rufinamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Both drugs can cause somnolence, dizziness and fatigue. Used together they may cause additive sedation and impaired coordination, and clonidine may add to hypotension-related dizziness.
How serious is the interaction between Clonidine and Rufinamide?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for excessive drowsiness and dizziness when initiating or increasing either drug. Advise caution with driving and operating machinery.
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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