4.10 Alpha-2 Agonist
Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN)
Clonidine is an Alpha-2 agonist
Mechanism of Action: Clonidine reduces sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system and decreases peripheral resistance and renal vascular resistance.
Indications: Clonidine is used to treat hypertension (HTN) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Nursing Considerations: Monitor blood pressure and pulse rate frequently. Dosage is usually adjusted to the patient’s blood pressure and can cause hypotension, bradycardia, and sedation. Rebound hypertension may occur if stopped abruptly.
Patient Teaching & Education: Patients should be taught the importance of adhering to the same dosing schedule each day. Patients may experience orthostatic blood pressure changes and should be cautioned against the use of alcohol while taking this medication. Additionally, patients may experience increased susceptibility to blood pressure changes when exercising and exposed to hot environments. If the patient experiences mental depression as a side effect of the medication, a different medication therapy may be needed.[1]
Now let’s take a closer look at the medication grid on clonidine in Table 4.10.[2]
Table 4.10 Cloinidine Medication Grid
Class/Subclass |
Prototype/Generic |
Administration Considerations |
Therapeutic Effects |
Side/Adverse Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha-2 agonist | clonidine | Monitor blood pressure and pulse rate frequently
Dosage is usually adjusted to patient’s BP and tolerance |
Treat hypertension or ADHD | Hypotension
Bradycardia Sedation Rebound hypertension if stopped abruptly |
Alpha-2 Antagonists
A2 antagonists are used in research with limited clinical application.[3]
- uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https://www.unboundmedicine.com/ucentral ↵
- This work is a derivative of Daily Med by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the public domain. ↵
- This work is a derivative of Daily Med by U.S. National Library of Medicine in the public domain. ↵
