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Lofexidine Patient Tips

Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on May 29, 2025.

1. How it works

2. Upsides

3. Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

Note: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. View complete list of side effects

4. Bottom Line

Lofexidine is used to ease the symptoms due to abruptly stopping opioids in people with opioid addiction (opioid use disorder). It is given for up to 14 days, with dosing based on symptoms and peak withdrawal, but must be slowly discontinued. Peak withdrawal typically occurs the first 5 to 7 days following last use of opioid. The main side effects are low blood pressure, a slow heartbeat (bradycardia), sleepiness, sedation, dizziness, and dry mouth. Do not drink alcohol, drive, operate machinery or perfrorm hazardous activities until you know how lofexidine affects you.

5. Tips

6. Response and effectiveness

7. Interactions

Medicines that interact with lofexidine may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor and pharmacist about how drug interactions should be managed.

Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements, and any medications you may take for the individual symptoms of opioid withdrawal (such as pain relievers or medications for upset stomach).

Lofexidine interacts with over 500 medications, and most of these interactions are considered moderate or major. Common medications or substances that may interact with lofexidine include:

Avoid drinking alcohol while taking lofexidine, as it may increase your risk for dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, and difficulty concentrating. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol before you start treatment.

Avoid other medications that also cause nervous system (CNS) depression or sedation. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take benzodiazepines, barbiturates, tranquilizers, sleeping pills or drink alcohol. Taking lofexidine with these medicines can cause serious side effects.

Lofexidine may reduce the efficacy of oral naltrexone. Administer naltrexone by other routes than by mouth.

Avoid using lofexidine with any other medications that decrease pulse or blood pressure to avoid the risk of excessively slowed heart rate, low blood pressure and possible fainting. Monitor for orthostatic low blood pressure and low heart rate when an inhibitor of CYP2D6 is used concomitantly with this medicine.

ECG monitoring (a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart) is recommended in patients receiving methadone and lofexidine at the same time.

Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with lofexidine. You and your provider should refer to the prescribing information for lofexidine for a complete list of interactions. Discuss drug interactions with your healthcare provider.

Related/similar drugs

Frequently asked questions

References

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use lofexidine only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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