Clonidine
Clonidine is a central alpha-2 agonist used primarily for hypertension & ADHD, with evidence supporting its use in reducing anxiety, PTSD symptoms, opioid withdrawal, & tic disorders.
Evidence last reviewed: 05 Apr 2026
Not a routine supplement — not recommended for self-directed use.
Information here is educational only, not a recommendation to use. See our Safety page.
Evidence is from research or clinical settings — does not imply safety outside supervised contexts.
Clonidine has moderate evidence supporting its effectiveness for ADHD, opioid withdrawal, and aggression management. However, its role in PTSD and sedation requires further investigation, indicating gaps in the research.
Sedation qualityCritically ill patients · Systematic review and meta-analysisModerate
Clonidine was not superior to propofol in reducing time to successful extubation.
Opioid withdrawal symptomsNeonates with opioid withdrawal syndrome · Randomized TrialModerate
Clonidine as monotherapy was effective for neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.
PTSD symptom severityAdults with PTSD · Systematic reviewLow
Clonidine shows promise in improving sleep, nightmares, & PTSD symptoms, but further research is needed.
Oppositional behavior & aggressionChildren and adolescents with ADHD, ODD, and conduct disorder · Systematic review and meta-analysisModerate
Alpha-2 agonists like clonidine are effective in managing oppositional behavior & aggression.