The effects of intravenous clonidine on ventilation

Summary The effects of clonidine, an alpha 2 adrenergic agonist, on ventilation were studied in a group of adult volunteers. The ventilatory variables measured were minute ventilation, respiratory rate, end‐tidal carbon dioxide tension and the response to carbon dioxide challenge. We found no differences in minute ventilation, respiratory rate and end‐tidal carbon dioxide tension, before and after clonidine administration. However, the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide was significantly attenuated following clonidine, suggesting that clonidine has respiratory depressant effects.