Clonidine Sexual Side Effects

In clinical studies, sexual side effects were reported by some people who were taking clonidine. The reported sexual problems include decreased sex drive, impotence, and decreased sexual activity. These side effects were not reported with clonidine epidural infusion, but were seen in about 3 percent of people taking the tablets and 2 percent or less of those using the skin patch.

Clonidine HCL Medication Information

Does Clonidine Cause Any Sexual Side Effects?

Clonidine hydrochloride (Catapres^®, Catapres-TTS^®, Duraclon^®, Kapvay™, Nexiclon^® XR) is known to increase the risk of certain sexual problems. The reported sexual side effects of clonidine include:

Decreased sex drive
Impotence (also known as erectile dysfunction, or ED)
Decreased sexual activity.

Decreased Sex Drive

Clonidine is known to cause a decrease in sex drive (known as libido). According to previous versions of the prescribing information for Catapres tablets and Catapres-TTS patches, a decreased sex drive occurred in about 3 percent of people taking clonidine tablets. This side effect occurred much less frequently with the clonidine patch (less than 0.5 percent of people) and was not reported as a side effect of clonidine epidural infusion.

The current prescribing information for Catapres and Catapres-TTS does not list any specific percentages; therefore, the previously discussed percentages may be somewhat outdated or perhaps inaccurate.

Impotence

Clonidine is known to cause impotence in men. Impotence is often defined as a total inability to achieve erection, an inconsistent ability to do so, or a tendency to sustain only brief erections (ultimately, impotence is the repeated inability to get or keep an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse).

According to previous versions of the prescribing information for Catapres tablets and Catapres-TTS patches, impotence occurred in about 3 percent of people taking clonidine tablets and 2 percent of people using clonidine patches. It has not been reported with epidural clonidine.

Decreased Sexual Activity

Decreased sexual activity has been reported as a side effect of clonidine. This would make sense, since clonidine can cause a decreased sex drive and impotence. According to previous versions of the prescribing information for Catapres tablets and Catapres-TTS patches, up to 3 percent of people taking clonidine tablets and 2 percent of people using clonidine patches reported decreased sexual activity. It has not been reported with epidural clonidine.

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