Hypersensitivity reactions of the skin and liver. Methyldopa is useful in the treatment of mild to moderately severe hypertension. Such patients should not receive clonidine, and the drug should be stopped if depression appears. Withdrawal of clonidine after protracted use can result in life-threatening hypertensive crisis. Patients exhibit nervousness, tachycardia, headache, and sweating.
Concurrent treatment can block antihypertensive effect of clonidine.
Miscellaneous Higher incidence of CNS side effects than clonidine, likely due to altered transmitter metabolism in all three central catecholamine neurons.