Health Library

Lofexidine (By mouth)

Lofexidine (loe-FEX-i-deen)

Helps reduce withdrawal symptoms in patients using opioid medicine.

Brand Name(s):

Lucemyra

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid becoming overheated during treatment with this medicine to prevent unwanted effects.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how lofexidine works. Tell your doctor if you are using methadone, paroxetine, or blood pressure medicine.
• Do not take oral naltrexone within 2 hours of using this medicine.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, heart problems, heart failure, heart rhythm problems (including QT prolongation), brain or blood vessel disease, or if you have had a recent heart attack. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Increased risk of low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, and fainting
  • Increased risk of heart rhythm problems (including QT prolongation)
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Sit or lie down if you feel dizzy. Stand up carefully.
• After a period of not using an opioid medicine, you may be more sensitive to its effects and at greater risk of overdosing. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Severe confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Diarrhea, trouble sleeping, anxiety, chills, increased sweating, pain in the arms or legs
• Dry mouth

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024