Clonidine toxicity

Q: What does clonidine overdose tend to cause? (select one)

A) Miosis

B) Mydriasis

Answer: A

Clonidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist. Its overdose causes a cluster of symptoms (toxidrome) as

• Depressed mental status
• Miosis
• Depressed respirations
• Bradycardia 
• Hypotension

Treatment is supportive, as clonidine can't be removed via dialysis.

#toxicity

#pharmacology

References:

1. Isbister GK, Heppell SP, Page CB, Ryan NM. Adult clonidine overdose: prolonged bradycardia and central nervous system depression, but not severe toxicity. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2017 Mar;55(3):187-192. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2016.1277234. Epub 2017 Jan 20. PMID: 28107093.

2. Manzon L, Nappe TM, DelMaestro C, Maguire NJ. Clonidine Toxicity. 2023 Jun 26. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 29083752.