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Alpha-2 Agonist — Analgesic/Sedative Adjunct

Clonidine (Burns — Analgesia/Sedation Adjunct)

Brand names: Catapres, Dixarit

A centrally acting alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist used as an analgesic and sedative adjunct in burns and critical care, helping reduce opioid requirements and manage agitation and autonomic symptoms.

Dosing — not shown for this use

The product information we hold does not support a dose for this page's specific use, route or population, so none is shown. Follow your local or national guideline, and confirm against the product SmPC.

The licensed dosing — for the medicine's licensed uses, which may differ from this page's — is on Clonidine hydrochloride.

Clinical monograph

How it works

Stimulation of central alpha-2 adrenoceptors reduces sympathetic outflow and noradrenaline release, producing sedation, analgesia and a fall in heart rate and blood pressure.

Prescribing in practice

  • Abrupt withdrawal can cause rebound hypertension and tachycardia, so the drug must be tapered rather than stopped suddenly.
  • Hypotension, bradycardia and sedation are dose-related and warrant caution in haemodynamically unstable burns patients.
  • It is used off-label as an adjunct and should be titrated within a monitored setting.

Monitoring

Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and sedation level during therapy and when adjusting or stopping the dose.

Counselling the patient

  • This medicine helps with pain and agitation and may cause drowsiness.
  • It should not be stopped abruptly because blood pressure can rebound.
  • Report dizziness on standing or a very slow heartbeat.

Evidence & guidelines

Clonidine is used as an opioid-sparing analgesic and sedative adjunct in burns and intensive-care practice, supported by its established pharmacology.

Reference: BBA Burns Pain Management Guidelines; FICM ICU Sedation Guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

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