Cardiovascular responses to clonidine in alcohol withdrawal: are they related to psychopathology and mental well-being?

The possible relationships between alpha-2-adrenoceptor function, as assess ed by blood pressure, heart rate, and sedative responses to clonidine (CLON ; 1.5 mug/kg, i.v.), and psychopathology and mental well-being were investi gated in 19 patients with alcohol-dependence in the early withdrawal period (days 1 and 7). An age-matched control group was used (n = 17). CLON-induc ed maximum reduction of systolic blood pressure was less day 1 in the alcoh ol-dependent patients compared to controls. CLON was found to induce less s edation at day 7 compared to day 1 acid to controls. No relationships were seen between the parameters for alpha-2-adrenoceptor function and psychopat hology and mental well-being. These findings suggest that CLON-induced chan ges in blood pressures and heart rate reflect the cardiovascular situation in alcohol withdrawal and not aspects of behavior. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e Inc. All rights reserved.