Clonidine
From Citizendium, the Citizens' Compendium
In pharmacology, clonidine is a "alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that crosses the blood-brain barrier. Clonidine acts centrally by reducing sympathetic tone, resulting in a fall in diastolic and systolic blood pressure and a reduction in heart rate. It also acts peripherally, and this peripheral activity may be responsible for the transient increase in blood pressure seen during rapid intravenous administration. (From Martindale, the Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p350)."[1]
Its main use is for hypertension, but it has also been studied for pain and for alcohol withdrawal.
Contents |
Absorption
The bioavailability of an oral dose is nearly 100%.[2]
Adverse effects
Rebound hypertension
References
- ↑ Anonymous, (2009) Clonidine (English). Medical Subject Headings. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- ↑ (2006) “α2-Selective Adrenergic Receptor Agonists”, Keith Parker; Laurence Brunton; Goodman, Louis Sanford; Lazo, John S.; Gilman, Alfred: Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 11th. New York: McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-142280-3.
External links
The most up-to-date information about Clonidine and other drugs can be found at the following sites.
- Clonidine - FDA approved drug information (drug label) from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
- Clonidine - Drug information for consumers from MedMaster (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
- Clonidine - Detailed information from DrugBank.
