Lofexidine

Generic name: lofexidine [ floe-FEX-i-deen ]
Brand name: Lucemyra
Drug class:Antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting

Medically reviewed by Philip Thornton, DipPharm. Last updated on Sep 24, 2020.

What is lofexidine?

Lofexidine works by blocking the release of norepinephrine, a hormone similar to adrenaline that contributes to opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Lofexidine is a non-opioid prescription medicine used in adults to help with the symptoms of opioid withdrawal that may happen when you stop taking an opioid suddenly.

Lofexidine will not completely prevent the symptoms of opioid withdrawal, which may include feeling sick, stomach cramps, muscle spasms or twitching, feeling of cold, heart pounding, muscular tension, aches and pains, yawning, runny eyes and sleep problems (insomnia).

Lofexidine will not treat opioid addiction. If you have been diagnosed with opioid addiction, your healthcare provider may prescribe this medicine as part of a complete treatment program for your opioid use disorder.

Warnings

Lofexidine can cause serious side effects on your heart or blood vessels. Call your doctor at once if you have slow heartbeats, severe dizziness, or if you feel faint. Do not take another dose of lofexidine until you have talked to your doctor.

Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how lofexidine affects you.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated, or you could have very low blood pressure. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

You should not stop using lofexidine suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

High blood pressure, anxiety, arm or leg pain, chills, diarrhea, trouble sleeping, and sweating a lot have happened when this medicine was stopped all of a sudden.

Lofexidine is not used to keep a drug-free state. People who have stopped taking opioid drugs may have more risk of side effects if they take opioid drugs again. This includes a raised chance of overdose and death.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use lofexidine if you are allergic to it.

To make sure lofexidine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• slow heartbeats;

• low blood pressure;

• heart problems;

• a heart attack or stroke;

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);

• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member);

• kidney disease; or

• liver disease.

It is not known whether lofexidine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It may not be safe to...