Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Clonidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist: it acts in the brainstem to reduce the outflow of adrenaline-like signals, lowering blood pressure and heart rate and having a calming effect. It is used for high blood pressure, ADHD (Kapvay), withdrawal symptoms from opioids and alcohol, and some kinds of pain. It is sold as Catapres, among other names.
Clonidine is cleared about half unchanged by the kidneys and half by the liver, partly by CYP2D6. Studies have looked at the alpha-2 receptor genes ADRA2A, ADRA2B and ADRA2C and at GNB3 for its effect on blood pressure and other responses. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.
Every published finding on gene variants and Clonidine. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
GNB3 rs5443: Level 3. Efficacy: Liver Cirrhosis. 2.
ADRA2C rs11269124: Level 3. Efficacy: Liver Cirrhosis. 1.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
ACE Inhibitors (class) (ACE Inhibitors)
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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