Clonidine

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Catapres, Kapvay

Pharmacological Mechanism

Non-selective α₂A/B/C agonist. Central sympathetic outflow reduction via brainstem α₂ → BP + HR decrease. Less-selective than guanfacine → more sedation / hypotension / dry mouth.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 12h, IV: 12h, TD: 12h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 0.167 mg (Range: 0.1–0.3 mg)
• TD: Typical 0.167 mg (Range: 0.1–0.3 mg)
• IV: Typical 0.167 mg (Range: 0.1–0.3 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous
• cardiovascular

Pathways It Modulates

• Adrenergic receptor signaling (activator) — α2 (central)
• Autonomic nervous system balance (activator) — α2 central — sympathetic suppression + sedation

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 2803
• Formula: C9H9Cl2N3
• Molecular weight: 230.1 g/mol
• InChIKey: GJSURZIOUXUGAL-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: C1CN=C(N1)NC2=C(C=CC=C2Cl)Cl

References

• PMID 3293868
• PMID 7128667