Lofexidine

Lofexidine
Clinical data
Trade namesLofexidine, Britlofex, Lucemyra, others
AHFS/Drugs.comMonograph
Routes of
administration
By mouth
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S4 (Prescription only)
  • UK: POM (Prescription only)
  • US: ℞-only
  • In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability>90%
Protein binding80–90%
MetabolismLiver (glucuronidation)
Elimination half-life11 hours
ExcretionKidney
Identifiers
  • (RS)-2-[1-(2,6-dichlorophenoxy)ethyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
Chemical and physical data
FormulaC11H12Cl2N2O
Molar mass259.13 g·mol−1
3D model (JSmol)
ChiralityRacemic mixture
  • Clc2c(OC(C/1=N/CCN\1)C)c(Cl)ccc2
  • InChI=1S/C11H12Cl2N2O/c1-7(11-14-5-6-15-11)16-10-8(12)3-2-4-9(10)13/h2-4,7H,5-6H2,1H3,(H,14,15) Y
  • Key:KSMAGQUYOIHWFS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
 NY (what is this?)  (verify)

Lofexidine, sold as a generic by Indoco, MSN, Novitium, Ani Pharma, Regcon, etc; and under the brand name Lucemyra; is a medication historically used to treat high blood pressure; today, it is more commonly used to help with the physical symptoms of opioid withdrawal. It is taken by mouth. It is an α2A-adrenergic receptor agonist. It was initially approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration in the United States in 2018, considering it to be a first-in-class medication. Subsequent generic approvals by the FDA started August 21, 2024 with Indoco Remedies with Competitive Generic Therapy (CGT) designation (ANDA #218613), which provided Indoco with a 180-day exclusivity period from the date of the product’s first commercial launch in the United States. Following this exclusivity period multiple generics were approved by other manufacturers: MSN February 24, 2025 (ANDA #218699), NOVITIUM PHARMA October 22, 2025 (ANDA #219917), Regcon Holdings (ANDA #218613). The FDA approval of multiple generic sources of Lofexidine has resulted in the widespread availability of FDA approved cheaper alternative to the branded medication with significant cost savings to patients. The normal out-of-pocket price of Lucemyra is $1,144.96 per 36, 0.18mg tablets. As of the 12th of December 2025 at one representative pharmacy, a branded Lucemyra 3 day supply costs $756, whereas the generic versions costs $142, an 81% discount. Due to widespread inter-generic competition the price/unit of generic lofexidine itself is under steady downward pressure and this is an example of the rapid erosion of the branded drug (Lucemyra) purchase and value in the face of generic competition; alongside the continued decreases in generic costs.