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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 — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

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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