Alpha-2 Adrenergic Antihypertensive Pharmacokinetics
Dosage and Administration
- The American Heart Association recommends a usual oral dose of clonidine of 0.1-0.8 mg per day, administered twice a day 1
- The American Heart Association recommends a clonidine patch dose of 0.1-0.3 mg weekly 1
- The American Heart Association recommends a methyldopa dose of 250-1000 mg twice a day 1
- The American Heart Association recommends a guanfacine dose of 0.5-2 mg once a day 1
Special Considerations
- The American Heart Association suggests that alpha-2 agonists are generally reserved as a last line due to significant CNS adverse effects, especially in older adults 1
- The American Heart Association recommends avoiding abrupt interruption of clonidine, as it can induce hypertensive crisis; clonidine should be gradually reduced to avoid rebound hypertension 1