Clonidine is often used to reduce blood pressure as well as to counter symptoms that occur during withdrawal from alcohol and other addictive substances.
There is some evidence that clonidine might impair the body's ability to manufacture the substance coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10).1 However, it has not yet been shown that CoQ 10 supplements offer any particular benefit to those taking this medication.
If you are taking clonidine, it is not safe to take yohimbe.2
The herb Coleus forskohlii relaxes blood vessels and might have unpredictable effects if combined with clonidine.
1. Kishi H, et al. Bioenergetics in clinical medicine. III. Inhibition of coenzyme Q 10 -enzymes by clinically used anti-hypertensive drugs. Res Commun Chem Pathol Pharmacol 12(3): 533–540, 1975.
2. Brinker F. Herb contraindications and drug interactions, 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998: 140–141.
Last reviewed December 2015 by EBSCO CAM Review Board Last Updated: 12/15/2015
