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Clonidine

Clonidine is a centrally acting medicine used to lower high blood pressure, to treat ADHD in certain extended-release products, and to help manage severe cancer pain as an epidural injection.

Brand names CatapresKapvayJenlogaNexiclonOnyda +10 more
Drug class Central Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist
Rx Forms 6
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Reviewed by Last reviewed Jul 10, 2026 Content updated Oct 2, 2026
🧬 Where this information comes from Click to expand

The clinical label records used on this page are FDA-filed Structured Product Labeling (SPL) retrieved through openFDA. We identified 132 clinical label sets within the page’s selected clinical scope after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching. Forms, routes, brands, labelers, strengths, and NDC product-record counts are built separately from matching FDA National Drug Code Directory records. The linked DailyMed document is a representative official source for verification, not the page’s only clinical source. View the linked label on DailyMed →

✓No current FDA shortage listed · checked Oct 5, 2026 🚨Recall on record
Other forms & routes:
Transdermal
Clonidine at a glance The quick version — the full detail is in the Patient Information Guide below.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
The Pharmacist’s Take By · Clinical pharmacist · Written

Clonidine is an older standby, on the U.S. market since about 1979 and available generically, that calms the brain signals that tighten blood vessels and speed the heart; it is usually an add-on for high blood pressure, and certain extended-release forms treat ADHD while an epidural injection helps with severe cancer pain. It is generally well tolerated, but drowsiness, tiredness and dry mouth are common, and they often ease after the first few weeks. Never stop it suddenly or let doses lapse, because blood pressure can rebound with headache, a racing heart and anxiety, so the dose is always lowered gradually.

Clinical pearls

  • The tablets, patch, liquids and ADHD extended-release forms are not interchangeable, so never swap one for another milligram for milligram.
  • Put each weekly patch on hairless skin of the upper outer arm or chest, using a new spot each time.
  • Swallow extended-release tablets whole, never crushed, chewed or broken.
  • Avoid alcohol, and tell prescribers if you take benzodiazepines or other sedating drugs, since they add to clonidine's drowsiness.
How we write & review this content — our editorial policy →
How you get itPrescription only
Comes asTablet, Skin patch, Extended-release tablet +3
Earliest FDA record1974
Companies listing it with the FDA48
FDA label last updatedJan 11, 2024
FDA’s strongest warning (boxed)None on the label

Patient information guide A plain-language walkthrough of Clonidine, written from its FDA label.

What Clonidine is used for

▾

Clonidine is used for several conditions, depending on the product.

  • High blood pressure: clonidine tablets, Nexiclon XR, clonidine skin patches including Catapres-TTS, and Javadin and Qlonilik oral solutions.
  • ADHD: clonidine extended-release tablets and Onyda Xr extended-release oral suspension, alone or with stimulants.
  • Severe cancer pain: epidural clonidine injection (including Duraclon) with opioids, in a highly selected group of cancer patients.

How Clonidine works

▾

Clonidine stimulates alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the brain. In the brain stem, this reduces the nervous system signals that raise blood pressure and heart rate. It also lowers resistance in the blood vessels.

It is not a stimulant. How it helps ADHD is not known.

Clonidine dosage

▾

The way clonidine is taken depends on the product.

  • Tablets and oral solutions are taken by mouth, usually twice a day.
  • Extended-release ADHD products are taken by mouth, with or without food. Onyda Xr is taken once daily at bedtime.
  • The skin patch is changed every 7 days.
  • The injection is given epidurally by a healthcare team.

Do not swap one clonidine product for another milligram for milligram. Follow your prescriber and label.

Dosing details from the FDA-approved label

From the Clonidine prescribing information (“Dosage and Administration”). Doses are set by your prescriber for your product, condition, kidney function and age — never change a dose on your own.

  • Clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets (ADHD, monotherapy or adjunctive to a psychostimulant)
    • Start with one 0.1 mg tablet at bedtime for one week
    • Increase daily dosage in increments of 0.1 mg/day at weekly intervals until the desired response is achieved
    • Take twice a day, with either an equal or higher split dosage given at bedtime: 0.1 mg/day = 0.1 mg at bedtime
    • 0.2 mg/day = 0.1 mg morning, 0.1 mg bedtime
    • 0.3 mg/day = 0.1 mg morning, 0.2 mg bed
    • Maximum: 0.4 mg/day (0.2 mg twice daily)
    • Swallow whole; do not crush, chew or break. Not substitutable mg-per-mg for other clonidine products. When discontinuing, taper by no more than 0.1 mg every 3 to 7 days.
  • ONYDA XR (clonidine oral suspension, extended release) for ADHD
    • Starting dosage 0.1 mg orally once daily at bedtime with or without food
    • May be increased in increments of 0.1 mg per day at weekly intervals
    • Maximum: 0.4 mg once daily at bedtime
    • Not substitutable mg-per-mg for other clonidine products. When discontinuing, taper by no more than 0.1 mg every 3 to 7 days.
  • NEXICLON XR (clonidine extended-release tablets) in adults, hypertension
    • Initial dose 0.17 mg once daily, recommended at bedtime
    • Further increments of 0.09 mg once daily may be made at weekly intervals if necessary until the desired response is achieved
    • Doses most commonly employed have ranged from 0.17 mg to 0.52 mg once daily
    • Maximum: Doses higher than 0.52 mg per day were not evaluated and are not recommended
    • Elderly patients may benefit from a lower initial dose.
  • NEXICLON XR, patients with end stage kidney disease on maintenance dialysis
    • Start at 0.09 mg per day and up-titrate slowly to minimize dose related adverse events
    • Monitor carefully for bradycardia, sedation and hypotension. Only a minimal amount of clonidine is removed during routine hemodialysis.
  • NEXICLON XR, patients with moderate to severe kidney impairment not undergoing dialysis
    • Initiate at the same dose as for patients without renal impairment
    • Up-titrate slowly and monitor for dose-related adverse events
    • Adjust dosage according to the degree of impairment.
  • Clonidine hydrochloride tablets, USP, adults (hypertension)
    • Initial dose 0.1 mg tablet twice daily (morning and bedtime)
    • Further increments of 0.1 mg per day may be made at weekly intervals if necessary until the desired response is achieved
    • Most commonly employed doses have ranged from 0.2 mg to 0.6 mg per day given in divided doses
    • Maximum: Studies have indicated that 2.4 mg is the maximum effective daily dose, but doses as high as this have rarely been employed
    • Elderly patients may benefit from a lower initial dose. Taking the larger portion of the daily dose at bedtime may minimize dry mouth and drowsiness.
  • Clonidine hydrochloride tablets, USP, patients with renal impairment
    • May benefit from a lower initial dose
    • Monitor carefully
    • No supplemental clonidine needed after dialysis, since only a minimal amount is removed during routine hemodialysis.
Read the label’s full dosing text

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION • Start with one 0.1 mg tablet at bedtime for one week. Increase daily dosage in increments of 0.1 mg/day at weekly intervals until the desired response is achieved. Take twice a day, with either an equal or higher split dosage being given at bedtime, as depicted below. ( 2.2 ) Total Daily Dose Morning Dose Bedtime Dose 0.1 mg/day 0.1 mg 0.2 mg/day 0.1 mg 0.1 mg 0.3 mg/day 0.1 mg 0.2 mg 0.4 mg/day 0.2 mg 0.2 mg • Do not crush, chew or break tablet before swallowing. ( 2.1 ) • Do not substitute for other clonidine products on a mg-per-mg basis, because of differing pharmacokinetic profiles. ( 2.1 ) • When discontinuing, taper the dose in decrements of no more than 0.1 mg every 3 to 7 days to avoid rebound hypertension. ( 2.3 ) 2.1 General Dosing Information Clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets are an extended-release tablet to be taken orally with or without food. Swallow tablets whole. Do not crush, chew, or break tablets because this will increase the rate of clonidine release. Due to the lack of controlled clinical trial data and differing pharmacokinetic profiles, substitution of clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets for other clonidine products on a mg-per-mg basis is not recommended [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 2.2 Dose Selection The dose of clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets, administered either as monotherapy or as adjunctive therapy to a psychostimulant, should be individualized according to the therapeutic needs and response of the patient. Dosing should be initiated with one 0.1 mg tablet at bedtime, and the daily dosage should be adjusted in increments of 0.1 mg/day at weekly intervals until the desired response is achieved. Doses should be taken twice a day, with either an equal or higher split dosage being given at bedtime (see Table 1). Table 1 Clonidine Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets Dosing Guidance Total Daily Dose Morning Dose Bedtime Dose 0.1 mg/day 0.1 mg 0.2 mg/day 0.1 mg 0.1 mg 0.3 mg/day 0.1 mg 0.2 mg 0.4 mg/day 0.2 mg 0.2 mg Doses of clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets higher than 0.4 mg/day (0.2 mg twice daily) were not evaluated in clinical trials for ADHD and are not recommended.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Dosage and Administration section on DailyMed →

Clonidine side effects

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The most common side effects reported with extended-release clonidine include:

Common side effects

  • Sleepiness or sedation
  • Tiredness or fatigue
  • Irritability
  • Trouble sleeping or nightmares
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Dizziness
  • Decreased appetite

When to get medical help

  • Call your doctor if you feel faint, pass out, or have a very slow heartbeat.
  • Get help right away for a rash, hives, or swelling of the face or throat. These can be signs of an allergic reaction.
  • Call your doctor if you have headache, a racing heart, nausea, flushing, chest tightness, or anxiety after missing doses or stopping. Blood pressure can rebound.
  • Seek emergency help for an overdose. Signs include extreme drowsiness, slow breathing, a very slow heartbeat, or being hard to wake.
  • Tell your doctor if you notice hallucinations.

Call your doctor for fainting, a very slow heartbeat, a widespread rash, or withdrawal symptoms after stopping.

Clonidine warnings and precautions

▾
  • Low blood pressure and slow heartbeat: can cause dizziness or fainting. Avoid dehydration and overheating.
  • Drowsiness: avoid driving until you know how it affects you. Avoid alcohol.
  • Rebound high blood pressure: stopping suddenly can cause headache, fast heartbeat, nervousness and a rapid rise in blood pressure.
  • Allergic reactions: including rash, hives and swelling. People with a skin reaction to the patch may react to oral clonidine.
  • Heart conduction problems: clonidine may worsen sinus node dysfunction and AV block.

Clonidine interactions

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Several medicine types can change how clonidine affects you.

  • Other blood pressure medicines: can add to the drop in blood pressure.
  • Sedating drugs and alcohol: can add to drowsiness.
  • Digitalis, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers: can add to slow heartbeat and AV block.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants: can raise blood pressure and weaken clonidine's effect.

Interactions listed in the FDA-approved label

From the Clonidine prescribing information (“Drug Interactions”): what the manufacturer studied or reported to the FDA.

  • Antihypertensive drugs: Concomitant use potentiates the hypotensive effects of clonidine. Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and adjust dosage of ONYDA XR accordingly; use caution when coadministered.
  • CNS depressants (including alcohol, barbiturates or other sedating drugs): Concomitant use potentiates the sedating or CNS-depressive effects of clonidine. Avoid concomitant use of CNS depressants with ONYDA XR.
  • Drugs that affect sinus node function or AV node conduction (e.g., digitalis, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers): Concomitant use potentiates bradycardia and risk of AV block. Avoid concomitant use with ONYDA XR.
  • Tricyclic antidepressants: Can increase blood pressure and may counteract the hypotensive effects of clonidine. Monitor blood pressure and adjust dosage of ONYDA XR as needed.
Read the label’s full interactions text

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS The interactions of ONYDA XR with co-administration of other drugs have not been studied. The drug interaction data provided in this section is based on oral immediate-release clonidine formulations. Table 5 displays clinically important drug interactions with ONYDA XR. Table 5: Clinically Important Drug Interactions with ONYDA XR Antihypertensive drugs Clinical Implication Concomitant use of antihypertensive drugs with clonidine potentiates the hypotensive effects of clonidine. Intervention Monitor blood pressure and heart rate, and adjust dosage of ONYDA XR accordingly in patients treated concomitantly with antihypertensives [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] . CNS depressants Clinical Implication Concomitant use of CNS depressants with clonidine potentiates the sedating effects [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Intervention Avoid concomitant use of CNS depressants with ONYDA XR. Drugs that affect sinus node function or AV node conduction (e.g., digitalis, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers) Clinical Implication Concomitant use of drugs that affect sinus node function or AV node conduction with clonidine potentiate bradycardia and risk of AV block [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.5 )] . Intervention Avoid concomitant use of drugs that affect sinus node function or AV node conduction with ONYDA XR. Tricyclic antidepressants Clinical Implication Concomitant use of tricyclic antidepressants with clonidine can increase blood pressure and may counteract the hypotensive effects of clonidine. Intervention Monitor blood pressure and adjust dosage of ONYDA XR as needed. CNS Depressants: Clonidine may potentiate the CNS-depressive effects of alcohol, barbiturates or other sedating drugs. ( 7 ) Tricyclic Antidepressants: May reduce the hypotensive effect of clonidine.

Excerpted — the section continues on the label. Read the full Drug Interactions section on DailyMed →

Not a complete list. The label covers the interactions the manufacturer studied or reported, and our own interaction database does not cover every medicine either. Bring your full medication list, including vitamins and herbal products, to your pharmacist.

🌿138 supplements and herbs with documented Clonidine interactions, ranked by severity Check Clonidine against a supplement or herb →

Before taking Clonidine

▾
  • Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to clonidine.
  • Tell your doctor about heart rhythm problems, a slow heartbeat, low blood pressure, fainting, heart or blood vessel disease, or kidney failure.
  • Kidney problems may call for a lower starting dose and careful monitoring.
  • Older adults may need a lower starting dose with some products.
  • ADHD products are studied in children 6 to 17. Safety under 6 has not been established.
  • Pregnancy: long experience has not shown a drug-linked risk of major birth defects. Discuss with your prescriber.
  • Breastfeeding: clonidine passes into milk, so watch the baby for sleepiness and poor feeding.
  • Animal studies suggest it may affect fertility.

Clonidine overdose

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Too much clonidine can cause high blood pressure early, followed by low blood pressure, a slow heartbeat, slow breathing, drowsiness and weakness. Children can show toxicity at very small amounts. There is no specific antidote, so get emergency help right away. Treatment is supportive.

What Clonidine does in the body

▾

Clonidine stimulates alpha-2 receptors in the brain stem. This reduces sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system. As a result, resistance in blood vessels, heart rate, and blood pressure all decrease.

How your body processes Clonidine

▾

After an immediate-release oral dose, clonidine peaks in the blood in about 3 to 5 hours. Its half-life is 12 to 16 hours, and up to 41 hours in severe kidney impairment. About half is broken down by the liver. Roughly 40 to 60 percent of the absorbed dose leaves in urine unchanged. Extended-release tablets reach lower, later peaks, and food does not affect them.

How to store Clonidine

▾

Store at 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F) . Protect from light. Store and dispense ONYDA XR in the original bottle.

Written from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

138

Supplements & herbs that interact with Clonidine

138 supplements and herbal products have documented interactions with Clonidine in the licensed clinical database we use. Most are manageable — but your pharmacist should know about everything you take, including vitamins and herbals.

Severity mix
  • Major · 4
  • Moderate · 113
  • Minor · 21
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL Major AMERICAN HELLEBORE Major AMERICAN MISTLETOE Major TYRAMINE Major ADRAFINIL Moderate AGMATINE Moderate ALGAL OIL Moderate ANDROGRAPHIS Moderate +130 more
Every supplement checked against Clonidine — ranked by severity The full interaction hub: 4 major · 113 moderate · 21 minor · every one linked to its full report. Check Clonidine against your exact supplements

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — see our data sources & update cadence. Not medical advice: an interaction being documented does not mean it will happen to you; do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

1

Nutrient depletion considerations

Clonidine has been associated with lower levels of 1 nutrient in the clinical literature. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these may be worth discussing with your pharmacist or healthcare provider, especially with long-term use.

COENZYME Q10 Insufficient Evidence
See the full Clonidine nutrient depletion report

Educational information from a licensed clinical database (Natural Medicines) — not medical advice. Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance.

Clonidine: pharmacist answers to common questions

Quick, plain-English answers to the questions patients ask most about Clonidine — the kind of thing our pharmacy team would talk through with you at the counter.

What is clonidine for?

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It depends on the product. Tablets, oral solutions, Nexiclon XR and patches lower high blood pressure. Certain extended-release products treat ADHD. The epidural injection is used with opioids for severe cancer pain.

Can I stop clonidine if I feel fine?

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No. Stopping suddenly can cause rebound high blood pressure, with headache, a racing heart, nervousness and anxiety. Your doctor will lower the dose gradually.

Will it make me sleepy?

▾
Sleepiness is common. Don't drive or use heavy equipment until you know how it affects you. Avoid alcohol, and ask me before combining it with other sedating medicines.

Can I crush my extended-release tablet?

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No. Extended-release clonidine tablets should be swallowed whole, not crushed, chewed or broken. They can be taken with or without food.

What should I watch for on the patch?

▾
Change it once every 7 days and use a new hairless spot on your upper outer arm or chest. If it loosens, put the adhesive cover over it. Tell your doctor about any rash.

Is it safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?

▾
Long experience hasn't shown a drug-linked risk of major birth defects, but talk to your prescriber first. Clonidine does pass into breast milk, so watch the baby for sleepiness or poor feeding.

Is Clonidine available over the counter?

▾
No. Clonidine is a prescription medicine: every Clonidine product listed with the FDA is prescription only, so it is not sold over the counter. Your prescriber decides whether it is appropriate for you, and your pharmacist dispenses it.

When was Clonidine first available?

▾
The earliest FDA record we hold for Clonidine is from 1974: its first approval in Drugs@FDA or its earliest product listing in the NDC Directory, whichever is older. Many older medicines were in use before their first formal FDA approval, so this is the earliest date on record, not necessarily when Clonidine was first used.

Who makes Clonidine?

▾
48 companies currently list Clonidine products in the FDA's NDC Directory, including Bryant Ranch Prepack, TruPharma, LLC, Remedyrepack Inc.. That count includes repackagers and distributors as well as manufacturers (companies that sell only the raw ingredient are not counted), so fewer companies actually make it; the label on your bottle names the one that supplied yours.

Answers drafted from the FDA-approved label with AI and reviewed by our pharmacy team. How we use AI →

More about Clonidine on HelloPharmacist

📊Clonidine supplement interactions138 checked — ranked by severity 🌿Drug & Supplement CheckerClonidine vs. vitamins & herbs 💬Ask a PharmacistFree answer, usually < 24h 🔎NDC & pricing lookupFind Clonidine NDCs & costs 🅰️Browse Drugs A–ZLook up any medication
Detailed data & references for Clonidine Forms & strengths, pricing, billing codes, manufacturers, safety reports and sourcing — the data behind the page. Most people can stop here. Each section below opens on a tap.

Clonidine forms and strengths (how it comes)

Clonidine is available in 6 forms. Different forms and brands can have different approved uses, doses, schedules, and directions. Follow the instructions for your exact product, and do not switch forms without guidance from your prescriber or pharmacist.

Tablet

By mouth
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Clonidine hydrochloride tablets are used for high blood pressure, alone or with other blood pressure medicines.
Important instructions
  • Clonidine hydrochloride tablets are taken by mouth, usually twice daily (morning and bedtime).
  • Taking the larger share at bedtime may reduce dry mouth and drowsiness.
Available strengths 4 strengths
0.05 mg 0.1 mg 0.2 mg 0.3 mg
258 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Skin patch

Through the skin
Brands Catapres-TTS-1 Catapres-TTS-2 Catapres-TTS-3 Clonidine transdermal system
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Catapres-TTS and clonidine transdermal systems are used for high blood pressure, alone or with other blood pressure medicines.
Important instructions
  • Catapres-TTS is applied once every 7 days to a hairless area of the upper outer arm or chest.
  • Catapres-TTS should go on a different skin site each time.
  • If a Catapres-TTS patch loosens, the adhesive cover should be placed over it.
Available strengths 10 strengths
0.1 mg/d CLONIDINE 0.1 mg/24h CLONIDINE 0.1 mg/d 0.2 mg/d CLONIDINE 0.2 mg/24h CLONIDINE 0.2 mg/d
Show 4 more strengths Show fewer strengths
0.3 mg/24h 0.3 mg/d CLONIDINE 0.3 mg/24h CLONIDINE 0.3 mg/d
41 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Extended-release tablet

By mouth
Brands Nexiclon XR
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets are used for ADHD, alone or with stimulants.
  • Nexiclon XR is used for high blood pressure, alone or with other blood pressure medicines.
Important instructions
  • Clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets are taken by mouth, with or without food, and should not be crushed, chewed or broken.
  • Clonidine hydrochloride extended-release tablets are taken twice daily, with an equal or larger share at bedtime.
  • Nexiclon XR is taken once daily, with the first dose at bedtime.
Available strengths 2 strengths
0.1 mg 0.17 mg
26 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Injection

By injection · Into a vein · Into the epidural space
Brands Clonidine Hci Duraclon
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Duraclon and clonidine hydrochloride injection are used with opioids for severe cancer pain not relieved by opioids alone.
Important instructions
  • Clonidine hydrochloride injection is given as a continuous epidural infusion and requires close monitoring in the first few days.
  • The 500 mcg/mL strength of clonidine hydrochloride injection must be diluted before use.
Available strengths 4 strengths
0.1 mg/mL 100 mcg/mL 500 mcg/mL 5 mg/mL
12 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Oral solution

By mouth
Brands Javadin Qlonilik
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Javadin is used to lower blood pressure in adults with high blood pressure.
  • Qlonilik is used to lower blood pressure in adults with high blood pressure.
Important instructions
  • Javadin is taken by mouth twice daily, morning and bedtime, with or without food.
Available strengths 2 strengths
20 mcg/mL 0.05 mg/mL
2 FDA-listed product records ⓘ

Extended-release oral suspension

By mouth
Brands Onyda Xr
How this form is used
What it may be used for
  • Onyda Xr is used for ADHD, alone or with stimulant medicines, in children 6 and older.
Important instructions
  • Onyda Xr is taken by mouth once daily at bedtime, with or without food.
  • Onyda Xr should not be swapped for other clonidine products milligram for milligram.
  • Onyda Xr should be tapered gradually when stopped.
Available strengths 1 strength
0.1 mg/mL
1 FDA-listed product record ⓘ

Clonidine on the U.S. market: products, makers and brands

How Clonidine appears in the FDA’s National Drug Code Directory — including its dosage forms, strengths, brand names, manufacturers, and FDA-listed product records. These are directory records, not sales or prescription volume.

48 companies list 174 Clonidine product records with the FDA, mostly as tablet, skin patch, extended-release tablet; the earliest marketing or approval year on record is 1974. Brand names on the directory include Catapres, Kapvay, Jenloga and 12 more; the rest are generics.

6
Dose forms ⓘ
48
Labelers (makers, repackagers, distributors)
15
Brand names
174
FDA-listed product records ⓘ
1974
Earliest FDA record ⓘ

FDA-listed product records by dose form (tablet variants merged) — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

Also listed with the FDA, not a patient dose form: Powder (19) — bulk drug substance sold to compounders/manufacturers and multi-item kits. These aren’t counted in the dose-form total above.

Bryant Ranch Prepack14%
TruPharma, LLC6%
Remedyrepack Inc.5%
A-S Medication Solutions5%
NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc.5%
Actavis Pharma, Inc.4%
Other makers61%

Share of FDA-listed product records by manufacturer — FDA National Drug Code Directory. Record counts are not sales or prescription volume.

How widely Clonidine is used (Medicaid data)

A general measure of how commonly Clonidine is prescribed, based on Medicaid — one of the largest public drug programs. The figure below is prescriptions filled in Q1–Q4 2025, summed across every form and brand of the drug.

Think of this as a proxy for how widely Clonidine is used, drawn from freely available public data. Medicaid is just one program — these numbers don’t include Medicare, other government coverage, or commercial and cash-pay prescriptions, so real-world use is higher than what’s shown here.

5,852,758
Medicaid prescriptions filled (Q1–Q4 2025)
$82.3M gross Medicaid reimbursement (before mandatory rebates — net cost is lower)

How commonly is Clonidine prescribed? Of the 1,601 medications we measure, Clonidine ranks #30 by Medicaid prescriptions — more than 98% of them.

Where Clonidine ranks among the drugs we measure · Q1–Q4 2025 · neighbors ±5
Total prescriptions — #30 of 1,601
#25 Fluoxetine 6,471,546 Rx #26 Escitalopram 6,377,287 Rx #27 Aspirin 6,339,210 Rx #28 Losartan 5,992,816 Rx #29 Metoprolol 5,974,670 Rx #30 Clonidine 5,852,758 Rx #31 Semaglutide 5,813,664 Rx #32 Pantoprazole 5,789,599 Rx #33 Quetiapine 5,743,048 Rx #34 Triamcinolone 5,724,276 Rx #35 Methylphenidate 5,663,940 Rx

Utilization by Clonidine product

Pick a product to see its own Medicaid numbers. Each chip is one clinical product — a specific strength & dosage form as defined by RxNorm — with brand-name and generic versions combined.

The 0.1 mg oral tablet is the most-dispensed Clonidine product — about 59% of these Medicaid prescriptions.

clonidine hydrochloride 0.1 MG Oral Tablet Most dispensed

3,477,328 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 59% of Clonidine prescriptions shown $27.5M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $7.90 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 22 of 258 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 884173

clonidine hydrochloride 0.2 MG Oral Tablet

1,333,134 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 23% of Clonidine prescriptions shown $10.5M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $7.91 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 20 of 148 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 884185

clonidine hydrochloride 0.3 MG Oral Tablet

476,997 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 8% of Clonidine prescriptions shown $3.9M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $8.11 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 13 of 93 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 884189

12 HR clonidine hydrochloride 0.1 MG Extended Release Oral Tablet

411,567 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) 7% of Clonidine prescriptions shown $13.1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $32 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 7 of 25 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 1013930

168 HR clonidine 0.00417 MG/HR Transdermal System

47,779 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Clonidine prescriptions shown $2M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $41 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 13 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 998671

168 HR clonidine 0.00833 MG/HR Transdermal System

37,035 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Clonidine prescriptions shown $2.2M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $59 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 14 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 998675

168 HR clonidine 0.0125 MG/HR Transdermal System

33,771 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Clonidine prescriptions shown $2.6M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $78 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 4 of 13 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 998679

24 HR clonidine hydrochloride 0.1 MG/ML Extended Release Suspension

28,622 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Clonidine prescriptions shown $19.2M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $671 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 6 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 2690727

10 ML clonidine hydrochloride 0.1 MG/ML Injection

4,381 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Clonidine prescriptions shown $257,167 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $59 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 3 of 6 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 884221

24 HR clonidine 0.17 MG Extended Release Oral Tablet

2,065 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Clonidine prescriptions shown $1.1M gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $529 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 3 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 885880

10 ML clonidine hydrochloride 0.5 MG/ML Injection

79 Medicaid prescriptions (Q1–Q4 2025) <1% of Clonidine prescriptions shown $1,744 gross reimbursement (before rebates) ≈ $22 per prescription (gross)

Summed across the 1 of 4 listed NDC products with Medicaid activity — every brand and generic of this exact strength & form. RxNorm 884225

Shares are of the Medicaid prescriptions shown here. Product grouping follows RxNorm (the National Library of Medicine’s drug terminology), so “one product” means one strength & dosage form regardless of manufacturer. Dollar figures are gross Medicaid reimbursement before mandatory rebates — rebates (often large, especially for brand-name drugs) are confidential, so actual net cost to Medicaid is lower than shown.

Source: Medicaid State Drug Utilization Data (CMS), aggregated by generic ingredient — summed across every NDC (all brands, strengths, salt forms and dosage forms) of Clonidine, and across all states and both fee-for-service and managed-care claims. A general popularity signal; it excludes Medicare, commercial insurance and cash prescriptions, so it is not total U.S. use. Based on the 80 of 583 listed Clonidine NDCs with Medicaid activity.

Compare Clonidine products

A representative set of FDA-listed product records for Clonidine — across manufacturers, strengths, and dosage forms, grouped by form with each product’s manufacturer and how the FDA approved it. The same medicine may be made and packaged by different companies, so a single drug can have many directory entries. (It’s also why a refill can look different — a new shape, color, or box — even though it contains the same medication.)

Showing 106 of 174 products — FDA National Drug Code Directory. See every product, package size and price: browse all 174 Clonidine NDCs →

Clonidine recall history

A recall is when a specific batch of a medicine is pulled from the market — usually a manufacturing issue, not a problem with the drug itself. Class I is most serious, Class III least.

The FDA’s enforcement reports list 5 Clonidine recalls since July 2021, covering 7 product listings. One of them is still ongoing and is listed first. A recall names specific lots from one company, so check the lot number on your own bottle rather than assuming every product is affected; your pharmacist can check whether your supply came from an affected lot.

Ongoing Class II Mar 19, 2026 · Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc
CGMP Deviations: use of an unapproved raw material
  • Clonidine Transdermal System, USP, 0.3 mg/day, supplied in cartons of 4 Systems and 4 Adhesive Covers, Rx only, Manufactured by: Actavis Laboratories UT Inc., Salt Lake City, UT 84108, Distributed by… Lots: Lot: 100053892, Exp.: 04/2026; 100057899, Exp.: 05/2026; 100062704, Exp.: 02/2027. FDA record D-0474-2026 →
  • Clonidine Transdermal System, USP, 0.2 mg/day, supplied in cartons of 4 Systems and 4 Adhesive Covers, Rx only, Manufactured by: Actavis Laboratories UT Inc., Salt Lake City, UT 84108, Distributed by… Lots: Lot: 100060002, Exp.: 07/2026; 100066802, Exp.: 05/2027 FDA record D-0473-2026 →
  • Clonidine Transdermal System, USP, 0.1 mg/day, supplied in cartons of 4 Systems and 4 Adhesive Covers, Rx Only, Manufactured by: Actavis Laboratories UT Inc., Salt Lake City, UT 84108, Distributed by… Lots: Lot: 100060315, Exp.: 04/2026; 100068644, Exp.: 01/2027. FDA record D-0472-2026 →
Class III Sep 19, 2022 · Terminated · UNICHEM PHARMACEUTICALS USA INC
Product mix-up:0.2 mg strength Clonidine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP in a 100-count bottle of 0.3 mg strength Clonidine Hydrochloride Tablets,
  • Clonidine Hydrochloride Tablets, USP, 0.3 mg, 100-count bottle, Rx Only, Manufactured by: UNICHEM LABORATORIES LTD. Pilerne Ind. Estate, Pilerne, Bardez, Goa 403 511, India Manufactured for: UNICHEM… Lots: Lot # GCLH22005, exp. date 02/29/2024 FDA record D-1541-2022 →
Class II Jun 9, 2022 · Terminated · Mayne Pharma Inc
Defective Delivery System: Out of specification for release liner removal force results at the 3-month CRT stability timepoint.
  • Clonidine Transdermal System, USP 0.3 mg/day, 4 Patches (NDC 51862-455-01) per Carton (51862-455-04), Rx only, Manufactured for: Mayne Pharma Greenville, NC 27834 Lots: Lot: 41179A Exp. Jan 2023 FDA record D-1152-2022 →
Class II Apr 13, 2022 · Terminated · Mckesson Medical-Surgical Inc. Corporate Office
cGMP deviations: Temperature abuse
  • Duraclon (clonidine HCl injection, USP), 1000 mcg/10 mL (100 mcg/mL), 10 mL single-dose vial, Rx only, MFG: Mylan Pharma, NDC 67457-218-10 Lots: McKesson Medical-Surgical (MMS) is not able to identify the particular lot number received by a particular consignee for the recalled prescription products. Each letter includes the date it was distributed to customers and the dates that i… FDA record D-1091-2022 →
Class III Oct 28, 2021 · Terminated · Teva Pharmaceuticals USA
Failed Impurities/Degradation Specifications
  • Clonidine Transdermal System, USP 0.1 mg/day, 4 patches per carton, Rx only, Manufactured by: Actavis Laboratories, UT Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, Distributed by: Actavis Pharma, Inc., Parsippany, NJ N… Lots: Lot# 1369117B, exp. date 11/2021 FDA record D-0235-2022 →

Source: FDA enforcement (recall) reports, via openFDA; our copy was last updated Sep 24, 2026.

RxNorm Concept Web — From Ingredient to Every Form and Strength

This page starts with one ingredient concept (IN). The branches below show its dose-form concepts (SCDF), then the available clinical drug and strength concepts (SCD). Combination products remain separate concepts with their own pages.

Ingredient (IN) Clonidine RxCUI 2599 8 dose forms · 16 strengths
  1. Dose form (SCDF) Extended Release Oral Capsule RxCUI 371581 No current FDA listing
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 0.25 MG RxCUI 892795
  4. Dose form (SCDF) Injectable Solution RxCUI 371582 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 0.15 MG/ML RxCUI 892793
  6. Dose form (SCDF) Oral Solution RxCUI 2725552 In current FDA listings
    Clinical drug / strength (SCD) hydrochloride 0.02 MG/ML RxCUI 2725554

Look up RxCUI 2599 in the RxCUI Atlas →

RxNorm is the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s normalized drug vocabulary. Its concept hierarchy can include forms that are not currently marketed; the status on each branch compares that concept with current FDA listings. RxCUIs identify vocabulary concepts, not individual packages or manufacturers.

💵 What Clonidine costs pharmacies (NADAC benchmark)

The national average invoice price pharmacies pay for the drug itself, from CMS's NADAC survey (data as of Sep 30, 2026). This is a supply-cost benchmark — not a retail price and not what you'd pay at the counter.

FormStrengthPharmacy acquisition benchmark
Tablet · Oral 0.1 mg $0.024 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet · Oral 0.2 mg $0.033 per tablet NDC details & price history
Tablet · Oral 0.3 mg $0.041 per tablet NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal CLONIDINE 0.1 mg/d $6.64 each NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal CLONIDINE 0.3 mg/d $12.29 each NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal CLONIDINE 0.2 mg/d $9.05 each NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal 0.1 mg/d $6.64 each NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal 0.3 mg/d $12.29 each NDC details & price history
Patch · Transdermal 0.2 mg/d $9.05 each NDC details & price history
Tablet, Extended Release · Oral 0.1 mg $0.212 per tablet NDC details & price history
Why show this? Your out-of-pocket cost depends on insurance, pharmacy markup, and discounts — but the acquisition benchmark tells you whether the medication itself is inexpensive or costly, which strengths cost more per dose, and whether a cash-price quote is in a reasonable range. Each row links to the NDC-level record with its full price history.

Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC), a survey of retail pharmacy invoice prices. Benchmarks shown are the range across package sizes of a representative product for each form and strength — other manufacturers' products may differ.

Clonidine brand names

Clonidine is sold under 15 brand names in the FDA directory — Catapres, Kapvay, Jenloga, Nexiclon and others. A brand and its generic contain the same active ingredient; the brand name belongs to one company's product.

Catapres Kapvay Jenloga Nexiclon Onyda Javadin Duraclon Clonidine transdermal system Catapres-TTS-1 Catapres-TTS-2 Catapres-TTS-3 Clonidine Hci Nexiclon XR Onyda Xr Qlonilik

Who makes Clonidine: manufacturers and labelers

48 companies list Clonidine products with the FDA. By number of product records, the largest are Bryant Ranch Prepack, TruPharma, LLC, Remedyrepack Inc.. Labelers include manufacturers and repackagers; the product in your bottle depends on which one your pharmacy stocks.

Bryant Ranch Prepack 25 TruPharma, LLC 11 Remedyrepack Inc. 9 A-S Medication Solutions 8 NuCare Pharmaceuticals,Inc. 8 Actavis Pharma, Inc. 7 Asclemed USA, Inc. 7 Northwind Health Company, LLC 6 Technomed Inc. 6 Proficient Rx LP 5 Alembic Pharmaceuticals Inc. 4 BluePoint Laboratories 4 Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. 4 Solco Healthcare LLC 4 Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited 3 American Health Packaging 3 Aurobindo Pharma Limited 3 AvPAK 3 Cardinal Health 107, LLC 3 Coupler LLC 3 Dr. Reddy's Labratories Inc. 3 Method Pharmaceuticals, LLC 3 Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. 3 NCS HealthCare of KY, LLC dba Vangard Labs 3

…and 24 more on the FDA NDC directory.

Clonidine drug class (RxNorm)

Clonidine belongs to the Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist class.

Pharmacologic class Central alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist
Drug family (ATC) Imidazoline receptor agonists, Other antimigraine preparations, Sympathomimetics in glaucoma therapy
How it works Adrenergic alpha2-Agonists

Classified by RxNorm RxClass — the U.S. National Library of Medicine's standardized drug-classification service (Established Pharmacologic Class from the FDA, the ATC drug family from the WHO, and mechanism of action). Reference only, not medical advice.

Sources for this Clonidine page

Core label, product, RxNorm, safety, and utilization data on this page come from the sources identified below. AI-written, editorial, and licensed sections are labeled separately.

📄
FDA-filed drug labels (SPL) Uses, dosing, warnings & side effects from SPL records retrieved through openFDA; the linked representative set can be verified on DailyMed. ✓ Linked label effective Jan 11, 2024
🏭
Forms, brands & labelersAggregated from ingredient-matched FDA National Drug Code Directory product records for Clonidine.
📈
Real-world reportsThe FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), served through openFDA.
🚨
Recalls & shortagesopenFDA drug-enforcement reports and the FDA drug-shortage database.
🧾 Clinical label set — FDA-filed SPL labels retained for Clonidine after exact ingredient or ingredient-combination matching and applicable route/form matching
Clinical labels in scope
132
Finished products in the current FDA directory
174
Companies listing them (makers, repackagers, distributors)
48
FDA labeler codes behind them ⓘ
56
Linked representative label ⓘ
Palmetto Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Linked label effective
Jan 11, 2024
Composite sections available
23
Linked SPL Set ID
e93324f1-ad83-7bbe-e053-2995a90a8c9e
Linked SPL Document ID
0eb6eb87-c779-3b79-e063-6294a90a5944
Open the linked representative label on DailyMed ↗
NDC package records associated with this linked SPL 1

How this page is built

HelloPharmacist combines public FDA and NLM records and does not author the underlying clinical facts. The plain-language sections are written with AI from the FDA-approved label text and reviewed by our pharmacy team before publication. Palmetto Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the representative DailyMed label linked for verification and dates. This is general education, not medical advice: always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own medicines. How we build and review drug pages →