What it's used for
Clonidine extended-release tablets are used alone or with other medications to treat hypertension.
Source: U.S. FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA).
Typical dosing
The dose must be adjusted according to each patient's individual blood pressure response.
Dosing shown here is the general FDA-labeled range. Your prescribing clinician determines the exact dose, form, and schedule for you — this is not a substitute for medical advice.
Common side effects
The adverse event profile appears similar to immediate-release clonidine, with serious risks including withdrawal and allergic reactions.
Covered strengths on the Tab $0 list
Covered at $0 with an active Tab membership when filled at a participating pharmacy nationwide or through mail order. A licensed clinician must prescribe the medication.
Related medications
Other heart, blood pressure & cholesterol medications covered at $0 with an active Tab membership.
Clonidine cost without insurance
Cash prices for Clonidine without insurance vary widely by pharmacy, strength and quantity — the same prescription can cost very different amounts at two pharmacies in the same town. That is the problem a membership solves.
Clonidine is on Tab's covered $0 generic list. With an active Tab membership, every covered strength is $0 — not a percentage off, not a coupon that changes month to month — at participating pharmacies nationwide or through mail order. You do not need insurance, and Tab works whether or not you have a health plan.
Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications require a prescription from a licensed clinician.
Clonidine dosage and administration
Adults: The dose of clonidine hydrochloride tablets must be adjusted according to the patient’s individual blood pressure response. The following is a general guide to its administration. Initial Dose: 0.1 mg tablet twice daily (morning and bedtime). Elderly patients may benefit from a lower initial dose. Maintenance Dose: Further increments of 0.1 mg per day may be made at weekly intervals if necessary until the desired response is achieved. Taking the larger portion of the oral daily dose at bedtime may minimize transient adjustment effects of dry mouth and drowsiness. The therapeutic doses most commonly employed have ranged from 0.2 mg to 0.6 mg per day given in divided doses. Studies have indicated that 2.4 mg is the maximum effective daily dose, but doses as high as this have rarely been employed.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Your prescribing clinician decides the exact dose, form and schedule for you — this is not medical advice.
Clonidine side effects
Most adverse effects are mild and tend to diminish with continued therapy. The most frequent (which appear to be dose-related) are dry mouth, occurring in about 40 of 100 patients; drowsiness, about 33 in 100; dizziness, about 16 in 100; constipation and sedation, each about 10 in 100. The following less frequent adverse experiences have also been reported in patients receiving clonidine hydrochloride tablets, but in many cases patients were receiving concomitant medication and a causal relationship has not been established. Body as a Whole: Fatigue, fever, headache, pallor, weakness, and withdrawal syndrome. Also reported were a weakly positive Coombs’ test and increased sensitivity to alcohol.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. This is not a complete list. Report side effects to your clinician, and seek care for anything severe or unexpected.
Clonidine drug interactions
Clonidine may potentiate the CNS-depressive effects of alcohol, barbiturates or other sedating drugs. If a patient receiving clonidine hydrochloride is also taking tricyclic antidepressants, the hypotensive effect of clonidine may be reduced, necessitating an increase in the clonidine dose. If a patient receiving clonidine is also taking neuroleptics, orthostatic regulation disturbances (e.g., orthostatic hypotension, dizziness, fatigue) may be induced or exacerbated. Monitor heart rate in patients receiving clonidine concomitantly with agents known to affect sinus node function or AV nodal conduction, e.g., digitalis, calcium channel blockers, and beta-blockers. Sinus bradycardia resulting in hospitalization and pacemaker insertion has been reported in association with the use of clonidine concomitantly with diltiazem or verapamil.
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician and pharmacist about every medication, supplement and over-the-counter product you take.
Who should not take clonidine
Clonidine hydrochloride tablets should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to clonidine (see PRECAUTIONS ).
Excerpt from the FDA-approved prescribing information (openFDA), retrieved 2026-09-15. Whether this medication is appropriate for you is a clinical decision made by your prescribing clinician.
Common questions
Is clonidine covered at $0 with Tab?
Yes. Clonidine is on Tab's covered $0 generic list — every covered strength is $0 with an active membership, at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
Do I need insurance to get clonidine through Tab?
No. Tab is a membership, not insurance. Covered medications are $0 with an active membership whether or not you have a health plan.
How do I get a clonidine prescription with Tab?
Book a video visit with a licensed Tab clinician (unlimited visits are included with membership). If it's clinically appropriate, they send the prescription to your chosen participating pharmacy or by mail order.
How much does clonidine cost without insurance?
Without insurance, retail cash prices for clonidine vary by pharmacy, strength and quantity. Clonidine is on Tab's covered $0 generic list, so every covered strength is $0 with an active Tab membership at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order.
What is the cheapest way to get clonidine?
For medications on Tab's covered list, a Tab membership is the cheapest route: covered strengths of clonidine are $0 with an active membership, and unlimited video visits with a licensed clinician are included, so the visit that produces the prescription is covered too.
What is the usual dose of clonidine?
Adults: The dose of clonidine hydrochloride tablets must be adjusted according to the patient’s individual blood pressure response. The following is a general guide to its administration. Initial Dose: 0.1 mg tablet twice daily (morning and bedtime). Elderly patients may benefit from a lower initial dose. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Your clinician sets your dose.)
What are the side effects of clonidine?
Most adverse effects are mild and tend to diminish with continued therapy. The most frequent (which appear to be dose-related) are dry mouth, occurring in about 40 of 100 patients; drowsiness, about 33 in 100; dizziness, about 16 in 100; constipation and sedation, each about 10 in 100. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15.)
What interacts with clonidine?
Clonidine may potentiate the CNS-depressive effects of alcohol, barbiturates or other sedating drugs. If a patient receiving clonidine hydrochloride is also taking tricyclic antidepressants, the hypotensive effect of clonidine may be reduced, necessitating an increase in the clonidine dose. (FDA-approved label, retrieved 2026-09-15. Tell your clinician about every medication and supplement you take.)
Clonidine is $0 on the covered list
Members pay $0 for covered generics at participating pharmacies nationwide or by mail order — plus unlimited virtual primary care, urgent care and dermatology visits. No insurance needed.
Solo $49/mo · Family $119/mo for up to 4 people · Family+ $149/mo for up to 8
Start your membership → Compare plansTab is a membership and prescription-discount program, not insurance. A licensed clinician must prescribe any medication. Cancel anytime — no renewal.