Clonidine and glucose intolerance

Changes in carbohydrate metabolism were observed in a diabetic, hypertensive patient managed with clonidine. After a slight increase in the clonidine dose, his blood sugar control deteriorated. However, when the clonidine was withdrawn, the glucose intolerance subsided. Because clonidine preferentially binds alpha 2-subtype receptors, we investigated animal pancreatic tissue by radioligand binding technique and found it to contain alpha-adrenergic receptors predominantly of the alpha 2-subtype. In consideration of the response from withdrawal of clonidine and the results of our radioligand studies, wer concluded the glucose intolerance seen in this patient was most likely due to the specific action of clonidine on alpha 2-pancreatic receptors.