Sedatives & Hypnotics
Clonidine (Catapres)
Street names: Catapres, Kapvay, Clonodine (misspelling), The withdrawal pill
Overdose? Act now. Call emergency services — say "unresponsive, not breathing". Give naloxone for opioid-like signs. Hotlines
⚡What it does
- Alpha-2 agonist — lowers blood pressure and heart rate, sedates, and blunts the adrenaline surge of opioid, alcohol and benzo withdrawal
- Prescribed for ADHD, blood pressure, hot flashes — and widely used off-label for withdrawal management
- Same α2 mechanism as the street adulterant medetomidine (the 'tranq successor') at a therapeutic dose
⚠Key risks
- Abuse as an opioid potentiator: some users take it to boost or stretch an opioid supply — dangerous, and it does not produce a real high
- Sudden stopping after regular use triggers REBOUND HYPERTENSION — blood pressure spikes that can cause stroke; taper, never stop cold
- Fainting, falls, and dangerous slowing when mixed with alcohol, benzos or opioids
- Patches: heat (fever, heating pad) dumps the whole dose at once
✚Overdose signs
- Very slow heart rate, fainting, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, extreme sedation
- Unresponsive or collapsed — call emergency services
Category comparison — Sedatives & Hypnotics
| Substance | Class | Top risks | Street price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clonidine (Catapres) | Rx-only — not a controlled substance | Abuse as an opioid potentiator: some users take it to boost or stretch an opioid supply — dangerous, and it does not produce a real high; Sudden stopping after regular use triggers REBOUND HYPERTENSION — blood pressure spikes that can cause stroke; taper, never stop cold | ~$0.25–1 per tablet |
| Zolpidem (Ambien/Stilnox) | Schedule IV | Sleep-walking, sleep-driving, hallucinations; Dependence and rebound insomnia | ~$2–$10 per 10 mg tablet |
| Secobarbital (Seconal) | Schedule II | Barbiturates: tiny margin between dose and death; Fatal in overdose, brutal withdrawal (seizures) — replaced by benzos in medicine | ~$15–$40 per capsule where diverted |
| Carisoprodol (Soma) | Schedule IV | Converts to meprobamate (Miltown) — dependence; Popular 'Soma Coma' mix with opioids — deadly | ~$1–$8 per 350 mg tablet |
| Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril) | Not scheduled | Overdose causes hallucinations, seizures, heart rhythm problems; Abuse usually in combination (potentiates opioids) | ~$1–$5 per 10 mg tablet |
| Pentobarbital (Nembutal) | Schedule II | Veterinary euthanasia drug — overdose is usually fatal; Narrow safety margin (barbiturate) | ~$30–$100+ per vial/capsule-equivalent |
Street prices are regional estimates. Potency and cuts vary constantly.
RxBrand names on the grey market
These brands are sold as this compound. Same molecule, different label and supply chain — quality varies enormously between them.
CatapresKapvay
?Frequently asked questions
What does Clonidine (Catapres) look like?
0.1–0.3 mg tablets; weekly patches; liquid for ADHD
What are the signs of a Clonidine (Catapres) overdose?
Very slow heart rate, fainting, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, extreme sedation; Unresponsive or collapsed — call emergency services Call emergency services immediately.
How addictive is it?
Abuse as an opioid potentiator: some users take it to boost or stretch an opioid supply — dangerous, and it does not produce a real high Dependence can develop with regular use.