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Overview: Lofexidine is a medicine you can take to reduce withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking opioids. Some common side effects may include sleepiness, or dry mouth. Serious side effects are less likely, but may include low blood pressure, a slow heart rate, or heart rhythm changes. Tell your health care provider right away if you have dizziness, confusion, or changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as fast or skipping heartbeat. Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any medicines you take before you start taking lofexidine. 

Uses

What is lofexidine used for?

​​​Lofexidine is a non-opioid medicine commonly used to decrease symptoms of opioid withdrawal when you stop taking opioids.  

Lofexidine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does lofexidine work (mechanism of action)?

Lofexidine helps lessen opioid withdrawal symptoms by reducing the release of a hormone called norepinephrine, which can cause withdrawal symptoms.  

How is lofexidine supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Lucemyra

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 0.18 mg oral tablets

How should I store lofexidine?

Lofexidine should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep lofexidine in its original container. Lofexidine includes a packet (desiccant) inside the bottle to keep the tablets dry. The packet should not be taken out of the bottle until all the tablets have been used. 

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of lofexidine?

The most common lofexidine side effects are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Low blood pressure or symptoms of low blood pressure, such as lightheadedness (see below)
  • Slow heart rate
  • Dizziness
  • Sleepiness
  • Dry mouth

There may be other side effects of lofexidine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of lofexidine?

While less common, the most serious side effects of lofexidine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Lofexidine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking lofexidine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Low Blood Pressure or Slow Heart Rate. Lofexidine may cause low blood pressure (hypotension), a slow heartbeat (bradycardia), or fainting (syncope). Try not to become overheated or dehydrated, because this can increase your risk of these side effects. Get up slowly from a sitting or lying position. Your health care provider may also show you how to check your blood pressure and heart rate. Do not take your next dose and contact your health care provider right away for advice on how to adjust your dose if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Confusion 
  • Feeling weak or tired 
  • Chest pain 
  • Shortness of breath
  • Slow heart rate 

Heart Rhythm Changes. Lofexidine may cause a rare, dangerous heart rhythm problem called QT prolongation and torsade de pointes. Some people have a higher risk of this, including people who are older, have other people in their family who have had these conditions, have low potassium or magnesium, or who take some medicines for other heart rhythm problems. Tell your health care provider right away if you faint or have changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as fast or skipping heartbeat. 

Risk of Opioid Overdose. After stopping opioid medicines and taking lofexidine, you may be more likely to have side effects from opioids than you did before starting lofexidine. Taking an opioid medicine, such as codeine, morphine, and oxycodone, may lead to severe drowsiness, breathing problems, coma, and death. Get emergency help right away or tell a caregiver to get emergency help if you experience any of the following symptoms.

  • Slow or shallow breathing
  • Breathing stops (which may lead to the heart stopping)
  • Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake 

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use lofexidine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take lofexidine.

  • Lofexidine
  • Lucemyra
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the lofexidine products they use.

What should I know about lofexidine before using it?

Do not take lofexidine unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share lofexidine with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep lofexidine out of the reach of children.

Do not stop taking lofexidine without talking to your health care provider. Suddenly stopping lofexidine can cause high blood pressure. You may also experience diarrhea, trouble sleeping, feeling worried, chills, sweating a lot, and pain in your arms or legs. When you and your health care provider decide to stop lofexidine, your health care provider will tell you how to slowly decrease your dose over time.

Lofexidine can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how lofexidine affects you.

lofexidine helps lessen symptoms of opioid withdrawal, but it may not completely prevent them. Opioid withdrawal can be hard. Talk with your health care provider about other ways to help limit opioid withdrawal symptoms if needed.

What should I tell my health care provider before using lofexidine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if lofexidine is right for you.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Kidney or liver problems
  • Low blood pressure
  • Slow heart rate
  • Heart problems, including history of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or long QT syndrome
  • Low levels of electrolytes, such as low potassium or low magnesium

Medicines That Cause Sleepiness. Taking lofexidine with any medicine that makes you drowsy or dizzy, such as a benzodiazepine, barbiturate, and many others, can increase these effects. This can lead to serious side effects. Tell your health care provider about all medicines you take and if you drink alcohol.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Lofexidine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking lofexidine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how lofexidine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if lofexidine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will let you know if you should take lofexidine while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does lofexidine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between lofexidine and foods or drinks.

The risk of dizziness and sleepiness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking lofexidine. 

Does lofexidine interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking lofexidine.

  • Methadone, which is an opioid medicine used to treat pain or opioid use disorder
  • Oral naltrexone, which is a medicine used to treat alcohol and/or opioid use disorder
  • Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, and medicines for anxiety
  • Paroxetine, which is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) commonly used for anxiety or depression
  • Any medicine that can lower your heart rate or blood pressure
  • Medicines that can cause QT prolongation, which is a dangerous heart rhythm problem

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of lofexidine. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with lofexidine. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much lofexidine?

If you or someone else has used too much lofexidine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of lofexidine?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.