Drug interactions
Clonidine + Trazodone
Severity: Moderate
Clonidine and Trazodone: 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
Trazodone may weaken the antihypertensive effect of clonidine, though the effect is much less established than with tricyclic antidepressants. Loss of blood pressure control is possible, and trazodone's own alpha-blocking effect may add hypotension in some patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Clonidine and Trazodone 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; Trazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Possible antagonism of clonidine's central alpha-2 effect; the proposed adrenergic neuron uptake mechanism is not well established for trazodone.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure when trazodone is started or stopped in a patient on clonidine and adjust the antihypertensive dose as needed. Do not stop clonidine abruptly because of rebound hypertension.
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 Trazodone
- Arsenic trioxide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Trazodone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Clonidine with Trazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clonidine and Trazodone 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. Trazodone may weaken the antihypertensive effect of clonidine, though the effect is much less established than with tricyclic antidepressants. Loss of blood pressure control is possible, and trazodone's own alpha-blocking effect may add hypotension in some patients.
How serious is the interaction between Clonidine and Trazodone?
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 when trazodone is started or stopped in a patient on clonidine and adjust the antihypertensive dose as needed. Do not stop clonidine abruptly because of rebound hypertension.
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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