Clonidine 100micrograms/5ml oral solution
Requires a prescription from a doctor or prescriber
Analgesics
Official documents, adverse reaction reporting, and safety monitoring
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Official medicine documents
Safety monitoring data
Yellow Card reports
The MHRA Yellow Card scheme collects reports of suspected side effects from healthcare professionals and patients. View the Drug Analysis Profile (iDAP) for real-world adverse reaction data.
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Clonidine
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Interactive Drug Analysis Profiles for all medicines
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Submit a Yellow Card report to the MHRA
Data from the MHRA Yellow Card scheme. A reported reaction does not necessarily mean the medicine caused it. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
EudraVigilance
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) collects suspected adverse reaction reports from across the EU/EEA through the EudraVigilance system. Search for safety data on this medicine.
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Clonidine
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EudraVigilance data is published by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). A suspected adverse reaction is not necessarily caused by the medicine.
1 branded products available
Part of the Catapres brand family (generic: Clonidine)
MHRA licensed products
View all licensed products for Clonidine on the MHRA register
WHO defined daily dose (DDD)
100 microgram
Not a recommended dose. The DDD is the assumed average maintenance dose per day for a drug used for its main indication in adults. It is a statistical measure used for research and comparison purposes only.
Source: WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, distributed via NHS dm+d BNF mapping files. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and NHS BNF section grouping. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
NHS prescribing volume and spending trends
Clinical guidelines and formulary information
British National Formulary
Clonidine
Source: British National Formulary, NICE. Joint Formulary Committee. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
NICE clinical guidance(3)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: diagnosis and management (NG87)
Drug misuse in over 16s: opioid detoxification (CG52)
Menopause: identification and management (NG23)
Source: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Check stock at pharmacies and supply information
Pharmacy stock checkers
Search for this medicine at major UK pharmacy chains. These links open the retailer's own website — results depend on their current online catalogue.
Supply & product information
Official product databases and supply status monitoring
Pharmacy links redirect to the retailer's own search and do not represent real-time stock levels. emc (electronic medicines compendium) is operated by Datapharm Ltd. Shortage information sourced from NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS), sps.nhs.uk.
Codes for healthcare professionals and prescribing systems
These codes are used by healthcare IT systems and prescribers to identify this medicine.
NHS UK identifiers
Browse tools
SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF codes from NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA). ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
162 found
Half-life
30 minutes
Mechanism
Clonidine is primarily an alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist which causes central hypotensive and anti-arrhythmogenic effects.
Food interactions
2 warnings
Human targets
7 targets
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
60-90 minutes
[A180559][A180577]…
Half-life
30 minutes
[A180559]
Protein binding
20-40%
[A180559][L7243]
Volume of distribution
1.7-2.5L/kg
Metabolism
50%
[A14844]
The main reaction in clonidine metabolism is the 4-hydroxylation of clonidine by CYP2D6, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP1A1, and CYP3A5.
[A14844]
Clonidine…
Elimination
50%
[A180559][L7237]
Clearance
1.9-4.3mL/min/kg
[A180559]
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Clonidine was granted FDA approval on 3 September 1974.[L7237]
[L7237][L7240][L54536]
A clonidine injection is indicated for use with opiates in the treatment of severe cancer pain where opiates alone are insufficient.
[L7243]
An extended-release tablet of clonidine is indicated for the treatment of ADHD, either alone or in combination with other medications.
[L7246]
Clonidine is also used for the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma,[A180565] treatment of nicotine dependance,[A180568] and opiate withdrawal.
[A180571]
Additionally, clonidine is also indicated for the treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) as a monotherapy or as an adjunctive therapy to central nervous system (CNS) stimulant medications in pediatric patients 6 years of age and older.
[L52295][L52300]
Known interactions with other medications. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 1889 interactions
[L7276]
The TDLO is 70µg/kg in children, 126µg/kg in women, and 69µg/kg in men.
[L7276]
Symptoms of overdose include hypertension followed by hypotension, bradycardia, respiratory depression, hypothermia, drowsiness, decreased reflexes, weakness, irritability, and miosis.
[L7237][L7240][L7243][L7246]
Severe overdoses can cause reversible cardiac conduction defects or dysrhythmias, apnea, coma, and seizures.
[L7237][L7240][L7243][L7246]
Induction of vomiting is not recommended due to CNS depression but gastric lavage or activated charcoal may be useful in recent ingestion.
[L7237][L7240][L7243][L7246]
Dialysis is also unlikely to be beneficial.
[L7237][L7240][L7243][L7246]
Overdose can be treated with supportive measures such as atropine sulfate for bradycardia, intravenous fluids or vasopressors for hypotension, vasodilators for hypertension, naloxone for respiratory depression, and blood pressure monitoring.
[L7237][L7240][L7243][L7246]
The stimulation of alpha-2 adrenoceptors in the locus coeruleus may be responsible for the hypnotic effects of clonidine as this region of the brain helps regulate wakefulness.[A180559] Clonidine can also decrease transmission of pain signals at the spine.[A180559] Finally clonidine can affect regulators of blood pressure in the ventromedial and rostral-ventrolateral areas of the medulla.[A180559]
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
[A180559][A180577]
Race and fasting status do not influence pharmacokinetics of clonidine.
[L7237]
A 100µg oral clonidine tablet reaches a Cmax of 400.72pg/mL with an AUC of 5606.78h\*pg/mL and a bioavailability of 55-87%.
[A180577]
[A180559]
[A180559][L7243]
[A14844]
The main reaction in clonidine metabolism is the 4-hydroxylation of clonidine by CYP2D6, CYP1A2, CYP3A4, CYP1A1, and CYP3A5.
[A14844]
Clonidine is <50% metabolized in the liver to inactive metabolites.
[A180559][L7237][L7240][L7243][L7246]
[A180559][L7237]
[A180559]
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
PMID:19588076 PMID:24304424 PMID:9653080
Has a preference for the primary monoamines methylamine and benzylamine .
PMID:19588076 PMID:9653080
Could also act on 2-phenylethylamine but much less efficiently .
PMID:19588076
At endothelial cells surface can also function as a cell adhesion protein that participates in lymphocyte extravasation and recirculation by mediating the binding of lymphocytes to peripheral lymph node vascular endothelial cells in an L-selectin-independent fashion PMID:9254657 PMID:9653080
Enzymes involved in drug metabolism — important for understanding drug interactions
Proteins that transport this drug across cell membranes
PMID:10196521 PMID:10966924 PMID:12538837 PMID:17460754 PMID:20858707
Cation cellular uptake or release is driven by the electrochemical potential, i.e. membrane potential and concentration gradient .
PMID:10966924
Functions as a Na(+)- and Cl(-)-independent, bidirectional uniporter .
PMID:12538837
Implicated in monoamine neurotransmitters uptake such as dopamine, adrenaline/epinephrine, noradrenaline/norepinephrine, histamine, serotonin and tyramine, thereby supporting a role in homeostatic regulation of aminergic neurotransmission in the brain .
PMID:10196521 PMID:16581093 PMID:20858707
Transports dopaminergic neuromodulators cyclo(his-pro) and salsolinol with low efficiency .
PMID:17460754
May be involved in the uptake and disposition of cationic compounds by renal clearance from the blood flow .
PMID:10966924
May contribute to regulate the transport of cationic compounds in testis across the blood-testis-barrier (Probable). Mediates the transport of polyamine spermidine and putrescine (By similarity). Mediates the bidirectional transport of polyamine agmatine .
PMID:12538837
Also transports guanidine .
PMID:10966924
May also mediate intracellular transport of organic cations, thereby playing a role in amine metabolism and intracellular signaling (By similarity)
PMID:10454528 PMID:10525100 PMID:10966938 PMID:17509700 PMID:20722056 PMID:33124720
Also transports organic cations such as tetraethylammonium (TEA) without the involvement of sodium.
Relative uptake activity ratio of carnitine to TEA is 11.3 .
PMID:10454528 PMID:10525100 PMID:10966938
In intestinal epithelia, transports the quorum-sensing pentapeptide CSF (competence and sporulation factor) from B.subtilis which induces cytoprotective heat shock proteins contributing to intestinal homeostasis .
PMID:18005709
May also contribute to regulate the transport of organic compounds in testis across the blood-testis-barrier (Probable)
PMID:10215651 PMID:15107849 PMID:15795384 PMID:16729965 PMID:20601551 PMID:22206629 PMID:22569296 PMID:29530864
Functions as a Na(+)-dependent and pH-dependent high affinity microbial symporter of potent food-derived antioxidant ergothioeine .
PMID:15795384 PMID:29530864 PMID:33124720
Transports one sodium ion with one ergothioeine molecule (By similarity). Involved in the absorption of ergothioneine from the luminal/apical side of the small intestine and renal tubular cells, and into non-parenchymal liver cells, thereby contributing to maintain steady-state ergothioneine level in the body .
PMID:20601551
Also mediates the bidirectional transport of acetycholine, although the exact transport mechanism has not been fully identified yet .
PMID:22206629
Most likely exports anti-inflammatory acetylcholine in non-neuronal tissues, thereby contributing to the non-neuronal cholinergic system .
PMID:22206629 PMID:22569296
Displays a general physiological role linked to better survival by controlling inflammation and oxidative stress, which may be related to ergothioneine and acetycholine transports .
PMID:15795384 PMID:22206629
May also function as a low-affinity Na(+)-dependent transporter of L-carnitine through the mitochondrial membrane, thereby maintaining intracellular carnitine homeostasis .
PMID:10215651 PMID:15107849 PMID:16729965
May contribute to regulate the transport of cationic compounds in testis across the blood-testis-barrier PMID:35307651
Proteins that carry this drug through the body
PMID:19021548
Major calcium and magnesium transporter in plasma, binds approximately 45% of circulating calcium and magnesium in plasma (By similarity).
Potentially has more than two calcium-binding sites and might additionally bind calcium in a non-specific manner (By similarity). The shared binding site between zinc and calcium at residue Asp-273 suggests a crosstalk between zinc and calcium transport in the blood (By similarity). The rank order of affinity is zinc > calcium > magnesium (By similarity).
Binds to the bacterial siderophore enterobactin and inhibits enterobactin-mediated iron uptake of E.coli from ferric transferrin, and may thereby limit the utilization of iron and growth of enteric bacteria such as E.coli .
PMID:6234017
Does not prevent iron uptake by the bacterial siderophore aerobactin PMID:6234017
ATC S01EA04
ATC C02LC01
ATC C02AC01
ATC N02CX02
ATC C02LC51
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Clonidine
Additional database identifiers
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
2564
ChemSpider
2701
BindingDB
50225285
PDB
CLU
Guide to Pharmacology
516
ZINC
ZINC000000896484
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:282
GenAtlas
ADRA2B
GeneCards
ADRA2B
GenBank Gene Database
M34041
GenBank Protein Database
178198
Guide to Pharmacology
26
UniProt Accession
ADA2B_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:283
GenAtlas
ADRA2C
GeneCards
ADRA2C
GenBank Gene Database
J03853
GenBank Protein Database
178194
Guide to Pharmacology
27
UniProt Accession
ADA2C_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:281
GenAtlas
ADRA2A
GeneCards
ADRA2A
GenBank Gene Database
M23533
GenBank Protein Database
178196
Guide to Pharmacology
25
UniProt Accession
ADA2A_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:550
GenAtlas
AOC3
GeneCards
AOC3
GenBank Gene Database
U39447
GenBank Protein Database
1399032
Guide to Pharmacology
2767
UniProt Accession
AOC3_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:277
GenAtlas
ADRA1A
GeneCards
ADRA1A
GenBank Gene Database
D25235
GenBank Protein Database
433201
Guide to Pharmacology
22
UniProt Accession
ADA1A_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:278
GenAtlas
ADRA1B
GeneCards
ADRA1B
GenBank Gene Database
M99589
Guide to Pharmacology
23
UniProt Accession
ADA1B_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:280
GenAtlas
ADRA1D
GeneCards
ADRA1D
GenBank Gene Database
M76446
GenBank Protein Database
177807
Guide to Pharmacology
24
UniProt Accession
ADA1D_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2596
GenAtlas
CYP1A2
GeneCards
CYP1A2
GenBank Gene Database
Z00036
Guide to Pharmacology
1319
UniProt Accession
CP1A2_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2637
GenAtlas
CYP3A4
GeneCards
CYP3A4
GenBank Gene Database
M18907
Guide to Pharmacology
1337
UniProt Accession
CP3A4_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2595
GeneCards
CYP1A1
GenBank Gene Database
K03191
GenBank Protein Database
181276
Guide to Pharmacology
1318
UniProt Accession
CP1A1_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2638
GenAtlas
CYP3A5
GeneCards
CYP3A5
GenBank Gene Database
J04813
GenBank Protein Database
181346
Guide to Pharmacology
1338
UniProt Accession
CP3A5_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:2625
GenAtlas
CYP2D6
GeneCards
CYP2D6
GenBank Gene Database
M20403
GenBank Protein Database
181350
Guide to Pharmacology
1329
UniProt Accession
CP2D6_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:399
GenAtlas
ALB
GeneCards
ALB
GenBank Gene Database
V00494
GenBank Protein Database
28590
UniProt Accession
ALBU_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:10967
GeneCards
SLC22A3
GenBank Gene Database
AJ001417
GenBank Protein Database
3581982
Guide to Pharmacology
1021
UniProt Accession
S22A3_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:10969
GenAtlas
SLC22A5
GeneCards
SLC22A5
GenBank Gene Database
AF057164
GenBank Protein Database
3273741
UniProt Accession
S22A5_HUMAN
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:10968
GenAtlas
SLC22A4
GeneCards
SLC22A4
GenBank Gene Database
AB007448
GenBank Protein Database
2605501
UniProt Accession
S22A4_HUMAN
International reference pricing
Reference pricing from DrugBank. Prices are indicative and may not reflect current UK costs.
Source: DrugBank. Used under CC BY-NC 4.0 academic licence for non-commercial purposes.
Patent information
6 active patents, 1 expired
Source: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0. Patent data sourced from national patent offices. Expiry dates may not reflect extensions, regulatory exclusivity periods, or legal challenges.
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite the following publications: