Clonidine Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 16, 2023.

Applies to clonidine: oral tablet, oral tablet extended release.

Other dosage forms:

• epidural solution
• transdermal patch extended release

Common side effects of clonidine

Some side effects of clonidine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• constipation

Less common

• darkening of the skin
• decreased sexual ability
• dry, itching, or burning eyes
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting

Rare

• blurred vision
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• hair loss or thinning of the hair
• inability to have or keep an erection
• leg cramps
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• muscle or joint pain
• pale skin
• swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
• weakness

Serious side effects of clonidine

Along with its needed effects, clonidine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking clonidine:

Less common

• mental depression
• swelling of the feet and lower legs

Rare

• anxiety
• blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
• chest pain or discomfort
• confusion as to time, place, or person
• decreased urine output
• dilated neck veins
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fever
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
• hyperventilation
• irregular breathing
• irritability
• itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
• large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• mental depression
• paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
• pounding, slow heartbeat
• problems in urination or increase in the amount of urine
• raised red swellings on the skin, lips, tongue, or in the throat
• restlessness
• seeing or hearing things that are not there
• shaking
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
• tightness in the chest
• tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold
• trouble with sleeping
• troubled breathing
• unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vivid dreams or nightmares
• weight gain
• wheezing

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking clonidine:

Symptoms of overdose

• dizziness (extreme) or faintness
• feeling cold
• pinpoint pupils of the eyes
• unusual tiredness or weakness (extreme)

For healthcare professionals

Applies to clonidine: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral suspension extended release, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release, transdermal film extended release.

General

Most adverse effects are mild and diminish with continued therapy. The most frequent (which appear to be dose-related) are dry mouth (40%), drowsiness (33%), dizziness (16%), constipation (10%), and sedation (10%).^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Contact dermatitis with the patch formulation (19%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Sweating
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus, rash (localized or generalized), urticaria, erythema
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alopecia, excoriation, burning
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Papules, throbbing, blanching, generalized macular rash, facial/tongue angioedema
• Frequency not reported: Hives, localized hypo or hyper pigmentation^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Gynecomastia^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Very common (10% or more): Dry mouth (40%), upper abdominal pain (15%), nausea (13%), vomiting (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, parotid gland pain
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Colonic pseudo-obstruction
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Parotitis^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Erectile dysfunction
• Frequency not reported: Micturition difficulty, loss of libido, decreased sexual activity, nocturia, urinary retention^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Very common (10% or more): Hypotension (45%), orthostatic hypotension (32%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, tachycardia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sinus bradycardia, Raynaud's phenomenon, palpitations
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Atrioventricular block, palpitations, bradycardia, syncope, congestive heart failure, electrocardiographic abnormalities (i.e., sinus node arrest, high degree AV block), cerebrovascular accident
• Frequency not reported: Bradyarrhythmia, hypertension, rebound hypertension^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Peripheral blood flow disturbance, thrombocytopenia^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Mild transient abnormalities of liver function tests, hepatitis^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Blood glucose increased, serum creatine phosphokinase increased
• Frequency not reported: Weight gain, anorexia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Frequency not reported: Muscle pain, joint pain, leg cramps^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Drowsiness (33%), dizziness (16%), somnolence (13%), sedation (10%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Headache
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Paresthesia
• Frequency not reported: Headache, localized numbness^[Ref]

Ocular

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Lacrimation decreased (dry eyes)
• Frequency not reported: Accommodation disorder, ocular burning, vision blurred^[Ref]

Other

• Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, tinnitus
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Malaise
• Frequency not reported: Fever, pallor, weakness, positive Coombs' test, increased sensitivity to alcohol^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Very common (10% or more): Confusion (13%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Depression, tearfulness, sleep disorder, hallucinations (both visual and auditory), nervousness, agitation

Uncommon (0.1% to 1%):

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Delusional perception, nightmare
• Frequency not reported: Libido decreased, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, behavior changes^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Common (1% to 10%): Hypoventilation
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Nasal dryness^[Ref]

Further information

Clonidine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer