moxonidine at a glance
Medicine class
Centrally acting imidazoline-receptor agonist antihypertensive
Licensed use
Mild to moderate essential or primary hypertension
Food
May be taken with or without food
Driving
Dizziness or sleepiness can impair driving and machinery use
What is moxonidine used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Mild to moderate essential or primary hypertension in adults.
How does moxonidine work?
Moxonidine stimulates I1-imidazoline receptors in the brainstem. This reduces sympathetic nerve signals, lowers blood-vessel resistance and reduces arterial blood pressure.
moxonidine preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 200 micrograms, 300 micrograms, 400 micrograms
How to take moxonidine
Follow the prescription label. Swallow the film-coated tablet whole with sufficient water; it may be taken before, during or after food.
Do not stop moxonidine abruptly without speaking to the prescriber.
Tell the prescriber if swallowing tablets is difficult rather than crushing or altering them without advice.
moxonidine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Sleepiness
- Weakness
- Nausea, vomiting, indigestion or diarrhoea
- Rash or itching
- Back pain
- Difficulty sleeping
Get urgent medical advice
- Angioedema, including swelling of the face, lips or mouth
- Fainting or clinically significant low blood pressure
- Markedly slow heartbeat
moxonidine in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are inadequate and animal studies identified embryo-fetal effects. The selected product should be avoided during pregnancy unless a clinician considers it clearly necessary. Contact the prescriber to review treatment if pregnant, planning pregnancy or becoming pregnant while taking it.
moxonidine while breastfeeding
Moxonidine passes into breast milk and the selected product should not be used while breastfeeding. If treatment is essential, the prescriber should discuss alternative treatment or stopping breastfeeding.
moxonidine interactions
Tell the prescriber or pharmacist about all prescribed, non-prescription and herbal products. Important interactions include:
Other antihypertensives
Blood-pressure-lowering effects can add together, increasing the risk of hypotension or dizziness.
Tricyclic antidepressants
They may reduce the antihypertensive effect and increase sedation; co-prescribing is not recommended.
Benzodiazepines, tranquillisers, sedatives and hypnotics
Moxonidine may increase drowsiness and impairment.
Common questions about moxonidine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is moxonidine licensed to treat?
The selected product is licensed for mild to moderate essential or primary hypertension in adults.
Can it be taken with food?
Yes. The tablet may be taken with or without food.
Can it make me sleepy or dizzy?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.