Drug Comparison
For educational purposes only — a decision-support tool, not a substitute for clinical judgment.
Side-by-side rubric across 96 psychiatric medications. Every rating traces to a verbatim primary-source quote — click any cell to see it.
How to read this tool ▾
Rating scale
– Favorable / lower than class baseline
± Minimal / equivocal
+ Low / uncommon
++ Moderate / common
+++ High / very common
++++ Very high / class-outlier
Frequency vs severity
F = frequency, S = severity. Each gets its own pill colored on the same traffic-light scale: green → blue → yellow → orange → red. Click any cell for incidence percentages and NNH.
Evidence tier
A Network meta-analysis / RCT / FDA label
B Cohort / registry / pooled label data
C Expert review / textbook / case series
Sourcing
Click any cell to see the verbatim source quote and citation. Missing data shows n/a.
Data depth
++ Graded — frequency + severity, primary-source traces
+ FDA label — §6 frequency only (dashed border). Click for sub-types.
Blank — not yet checked (not “absent”)
–±++++++++++ABCF = frequency · S = severity · Dashed border = FDA label only · Click cell for details
1 drug selected — Clonidine(click to collapse)
1/4 selected
Clonidine
Kapvay
Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist
FDA-approved indications
- ADHD — mono or adjunct to stimulants (children/adolescents 6–17 years; ER formulation)
Off-label uses
- PTSD nightmares
- Tic disorders
- Opioid withdrawal
Half-life12 to 16 hours
Decision GuideWhen to pick each / when to consider an alternative
Clonidine
Consider when
- ADHD adjunct to stimulants — Kapvay ER FDA-approved as ADHD adjunct and monotherapy (ages 6–17); proven add-on to stimulants
- ADHD with comorbid tics — α2 agonism benefits both ADHD and tic symptoms; CADDRA-recommended for this combination
- Stimulant-induced insomnia — bedtime dosing leverages sedative effect to improve sleep onset in stimulant-treated patients
- ADHD with comorbid aggression or emotional dysregulation — calms hyperarousal; evidence for reducing aggressive behavior
- +1 more
Consider an alternative when
- Hypotension risk — more hypotensive than guanfacine; α2A/B/C non-selective means broader cardiovascular effects
- Abrupt discontinuation likely — rebound hypertension more severe than guanfacine; mandatory gradual taper
- Daytime sedation problematic — more sedating than guanfacine; less α2A-selective means more non-specific sedation
- Maximum ADHD efficacy needed — effect sizes smaller than stimulants and possibly guanfacine for core ADHD symptoms
- +1 more
| Axis | Clonidine alpha-2-agonist |
|---|---|
| Boxed Warnings | |
Abuse / addiction liability | |
| CNS | |
Sedation / somnolence | |
Activation / insomnia | |
Dizziness | |
Fatigue / lethargy | |
| Metabolic | |
Weight gain | |
| Cardiac | |
QTc prolongation | |
Cardiac conduction / AV block | |
Blood pressure elevation | |
Heart rate / tachycardia | |
| GI | |
Nausea / GI (general) | |
| Dermatologic | |
Rash (including SJS/TEN, pruritus, hypersensitivity) | |
| Sexual | |
Sexual dysfunction | |
| Discontinuation | |
Rebound hypertension (alpha2-agonist discontinuation) | |
| Interactions | |
CYP interactions / DDI profile | |
| Safety | |
Overdose toxicity | |
| Pregnancy | |
Lactation / breastfeeding safety | |