Clonidine interactions will change the way medications work and possibly increase your risk for serious side effects. These often occur when one mixes Catapres with other drugs and substances, including alcohol, weed, herbs, and supplements. Each of the following Catapres interactions should be considered before starting taking the medications to avoid unpleasant reactions.
Learn About Clonidine Interactions:
Clonidine And Alcohol Interaction
When mixed, Catapres and alcohol can lead to adverse reactions. This interaction can be dangerous enough to make the patient’s life uncomfortable.
Mixing clonidine and alcohol will cause fluctuations in blood pressure, headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Liver problems are also common among patients who drink alcohol while taking clonidine for a long period of time. In severe cases, seizures, loss of consciousness, heart attack, stroke, coma, or even death may occur.
The medication is often abused with alcohol by people who are addicted to opiates. Aside from wanting to prolong clonidine euphoria, abusers take Catapres with alcohol to save money from not buying the more expensive illicit drugs to get high. Evidence shows that 14 out of 15 patients suffering from opiate addiction are abusing Catapres. These people often get the prescription for clonidine (Catapres) easily because it is not a controlled substance. Another study state that addicts undergoing methadone maintenance program abuse Catapres not only for withdrawal purposes but the sedating effect as well.
While there is no specific guideline yet as to how much alcohol one can consume while taking clonidine, experts are still recommending patients to abstain from drinking alcohol or, at least, limit its consumption while on Catapres to avoid serious side effects.
Clonidine And Weed Interaction
One of the most dangerous Catapres interactions involves cannabis. Using clonidine pill with weed may increase side effects such as confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people, including the elderly, are prone to experiencing impairment in thinking, judgment, and motor coordination.
Catapres Interactions With Other Medications
It is worth to highlight that Catapres interacts not only with illegal substances but with prescription medications, too. It means that the patients should keep caution when taking Catapres and inform their doctor about any other meds before prescribing Catapres.
Clonidine And Xanax Interaction
CNS and respiratory depressant effects are increased in patients taking Catapres and Xanax concurrently. Aside from amplifying clonidine HCl side effects, patients may suffer impairment of attention, thinking, judgment, and psychomotor skills, especially the elderly, and debilitated patients.
Clonidine And Adderall Interaction
Clonidine interaction with Adderall will require close monitoring of blood pressure or the selection of alternative drugs. Adderall increases both systolic and diastolic blood pressure and may counteract the activity of Catapres. Patients need to inform doctors about all the drugs being taken simultaneously.
Clonidine And Metoprolol Interaction
One major clonidine drug interaction involves metoprolol. When used together, these drugs will lower blood pressure and slow heart rate. Bradycardia, dizziness, headaches, fainting, are also common.
Clonidine And Suboxone Interaction
Mixing Catapres and suboxone has additive effects. One may suffer from extremely low blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, weakness, and changes in heart and pulse rates. These adverse effects are often observed among new users, after a dose adjustment or when treatment is restarted. Also, suboxone can affect clonidine withdrawal syndrome if the drug is used for treating opiate addiction.
Guanfacine And Clonidine Interaction
Clonidine interactions with other drugs may sometimes cause life-threatening complications. Combined Guanfacine and Catapres may cause excessive slowing of heart rate that can sometimes lead to serious cardiac conditions.
Clonidine And Vyvanse Interaction
Vyvanse poses the same risks as that of Adderall when used simultaneously with Catapres. However, the individual features can impact the severity and duration of the symptoms, as well as their manifestation.
Clonidine And Methadone Interaction
The reactions observed when one combines Catapres and methadone are similar to those of suboxone. Still, each case is unique; it means that reactions of the patients’ organisms may vary.
Clonidine And Gabapentin Interaction
Gabapentin must be given at the lowest recommended dose during co-administration with Catapres. These drugs will cause additive CNS depression. Patients must consult a doctor for proper education on the possible symptoms and risks.
Clonidine And Klonopin Interaction
Clonidine MOA can potentiate the actions of other CNS depressants, including benzodiazepines like Klonopin.
Clonidine And Ibuprofen Interaction
Careful monitoring of patients for signs and symptoms of renal insufficiency and blood pressure control is required if nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and Catapres are used together. One may suffer from high blood pressure, peripheral edema, and weight gain. NSAIDs may also cause renal insufficiency because of a reduction in renal blood flow. As a result, the time how long clonidine stays in one’s system may increase.
It’s critical to remember that drug interactions may lead to clonidine overdose symptoms, which adversely interfere with daily activities. That’s why patients should always consult with a doctor about any concurrently taken medications.
Be Aware Of Potential Interactions
When the drug is taken with other medications, the patients are at risk to experience unpleasant and even dangerous reactions. Especially it is true when Catapres is mixed with illegal drugs. Such behavior is a signal of abuse and requires appropriate measures to be taken. The professional drug rehabilitation centers help addicts to beat their cravings and stay sober for a long time. Because treatment should be individualized, the staff designs the drug addiction treatment to meet the needs of each patient.
Page Sources
- Dennison SJ. Clonidine abuse among opiate addicts. Psychiatric Quarterly. 2001; 72(2): 191-5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11433883.
- Beuger M, Tommasello A, Schwartz R, Clinton M. Clonidine use and abuse among methadone program applicants and patients. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment. 1998; 15(6): 589-93. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9845872.
