Comprehensive medication guide to Lofexidine including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
Copay varies widely by plan. Many commercial insurance plans cover lofexidine but require prior authorization; it is typically placed on a Tier 3 or higher formulary tier. Medicare Part D plans cover lofexidine with copays that may exceed $167, in which case a GoodRx coupon may actually be cheaper than using insurance.
Estimated Cash Pricing
Without insurance, lofexidine retails for approximately $2,333 for a standard 96-tablet supply. With a GoodRx coupon, the price drops to as low as $383 — an 84% reduction. Patient assistance programs like Prescription Hope may offer access for approximately $70/month for qualifying patients.
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Lofexidine (brand name Lucemyra) is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in May 2018 to help manage opioid withdrawal symptoms in adults. It was the first — and remains the only — non-opioid medication specifically FDA-approved for this indication, representing a significant milestone in addiction medicine.
Lofexidine belongs to a class of drugs called alpha-2 adrenergic agonists. It is a structural analogue of clonidine but with greater selectivity for alpha-2A and alpha-2C receptor subtypes, giving it a somewhat better cardiovascular safety profile. It is available as a 0.18 mg oral tablet and is not a controlled substance.
Current manufacturer: BioCorRx Pharmaceuticals Inc., which acquired Lucemyra from US WorldMeds (USWM LLC) in March 2025. Generic lofexidine 0.18 mg tablets are also available from multiple manufacturers.
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When opioids are abruptly stopped, the brain's locus coeruleus — its "alarm system" — experiences a rebound surge of norepinephrine. This surge causes the physical symptoms of withdrawal: racing heart, chills, sweating, muscle aches, stomach cramps, and anxiety. Lofexidine directly addresses this by acting as a centrally-acting alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist.
Lofexidine binds to alpha-2A and alpha-2C receptors on adrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus and throughout the central nervous system. These are "autoreceptors" — when activated, they signal the neuron to reduce its release of norepinephrine. The result is a calmer sympathetic nervous system, which translates to less severe withdrawal symptoms including reduced muscle tension, slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and decreased anxiety and chills.
Lofexidine does not act on opioid receptors and does not address cravings or the psychological components of opioid use disorder. It is metabolized primarily by CYP2D6, reaches peak plasma concentration in 3-5 hours, and has a half-life of approximately 11-12 hours (extending to 17-22 hours at steady state). Bioavailability is 72%; 93.5% is excreted in urine.
0.18 mg — tablet
Starting dose: 3 tablets (0.54 mg) QID at 5-6 hour intervals. Max 4 tablets per dose, max 16 tablets per day. Taper over 2-4 days.
Lofexidine is not on the FDA's official Drug Shortages Database as of 2026 — meaning there is no national-level supply deficit. However, it is a specialty medication that many retail pharmacies do not routinely stock on their shelves. Its high retail cost (~$2,333), relatively low prescription volume, and a 2025 manufacturer transition (BioCorRx acquired Lucemyra from USWM LLC in March 2025) contribute to spotty availability at the pharmacy level.
Hospital outpatient pharmacies, specialty pharmacies near addiction treatment centers, and large-volume chain pharmacy locations in metropolitan areas are most likely to carry lofexidine or be able to order it within 1-2 business days. Generic lofexidine is available from multiple manufacturers, which expands sourcing options, but stocking gaps remain common at neighborhood pharmacies.
To find lofexidine at a pharmacy near you, use medfinder. Provide your medication name, dosage, and zip code, and medfinder will call pharmacies near you to check which ones have lofexidine in stock and text you the results — saving you the time and stress of calling pharmacy after pharmacy yourself.
Because lofexidine is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance, there are no special prescribing certifications or waivers required. Any licensed prescriber with a standard DEA registration can prescribe lofexidine — a major advantage over buprenorphine and methadone.
Addiction medicine specialists
Psychiatrists
Primary care physicians and internists
Emergency medicine physicians
Nurse practitioners (NPs) with prescribing authority
Physician assistants (PAs)
Lofexidine can also be prescribed via telehealth, making it accessible to patients in rural areas or those who cannot travel to an in-person appointment. Multiple telehealth addiction medicine platforms can evaluate and prescribe lofexidine for appropriate patients. The Lucemyra website (lucemyra.com/find-a-provider/) maintains a provider directory of prescribers who have opted in to be listed.
No. Lofexidine is not a DEA-scheduled controlled substance. This is one of its key clinical advantages over buprenorphine (Schedule III) and methadone (Schedule II), both of which require special DEA registrations and carry significant regulatory burdens for prescribers and patients.
Because lofexidine is not scheduled, any licensed prescriber — including primary care physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants — can write a prescription without a special DEA waiver or certification. Prescriptions can be called in, faxed, or sent electronically. Refill restrictions that apply to controlled substances do not apply to lofexidine.
Lofexidine has low abuse potential because it does not act on opioid receptors and does not produce euphoria. It can cause sedation and blood pressure lowering, but these are side effects rather than desirable drug effects, which limits its appeal for misuse.
The most common adverse reactions (occurring in 10% or more of patients, notably more frequently than placebo) in FDA clinical trials include:
Orthostatic hypotension (dizziness or lightheadedness when standing)
Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
Hypotension (low blood pressure)
Dizziness
Somnolence and sedation
Dry mouth
Insomnia
Syncope (fainting) from severe hypotension — call your provider immediately; do not take next dose
QT interval prolongation — cardiac rhythm abnormality; risk highest with concurrent methadone use
Increased opioid overdose risk after treatment completion — tolerance is significantly reduced; any opioid use after treatment carries high overdose and death risk
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Clonidine (Catapres)
Alpha-2 agonist used off-label for opioid withdrawal; same mechanism as lofexidine; universally available; costs ~$9/month; more hypotension risk than lofexidine; no FDA approval for this use
Buprenorphine / Buprenorphine-Naloxone (Suboxone)
Partial opioid agonist; FDA-approved for withdrawal and OUD maintenance; more effective than lofexidine for both; requires DEA-registered prescriber; initiate 12-24 hours after last opioid
Methadone
Full opioid agonist; FDA-approved for OUD maintenance; highly effective; dispensed only through federally licensed Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs); not available by regular pharmacy prescription for OUD
Naltrexone (Vivitrol)
Opioid antagonist; used after withdrawal completion for OUD maintenance; prevents relapse; available as monthly injectable (Vivitrol) or oral daily; requires 7-10 days opioid-free before starting
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Methadone
majorAdditive QT interval prolongation; risk of dangerous cardiac arrhythmia (torsades de pointes). ECG monitoring required if used together.
Benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, alprazolam, lorazepam)
majorAdditive CNS depression; risk of excessive sedation, respiratory depression. The FDA prescribing information specifically warns against this combination.
Barbiturates
majorAdditive CNS depression, similar risks as benzodiazepines.
Alcohol
majorAdditive sedation and hypotension. Should be completely avoided during lofexidine treatment.
Paroxetine (Paxil)
moderateCYP2D6 inhibitor; reduces metabolism of lofexidine, increasing blood levels and risk of adverse effects. Dose adjustment may be needed.
Antihypertensive medications
moderateAdditive blood pressure lowering effect; risk of clinically significant hypotension.
Oral naltrexone
moderateInteraction noted in FDA prescribing information; monitor carefully when transitioning.
QT-prolonging medications (antipsychotics, antibiotics, antidepressants)
moderateAdditive QT prolongation risk. Correct electrolyte abnormalities before starting lofexidine.
Lofexidine represents an important option in the opioid withdrawal management toolkit — particularly for patients who want or need a fully non-opioid approach, and for those preparing to transition to extended-release naltrexone. Its non-controlled status makes it uniquely accessible from a prescribing standpoint: any provider can write for it, and it can be prescribed via telehealth.
The practical challenge is pharmacy availability. Lofexidine is not stocked at every retail pharmacy, and its retail price exceeds $2,300 without discounts. With a GoodRx coupon, the cost drops to approximately $383 — and patient assistance programs can reduce it further for qualifying patients. Insurance coverage requires prior authorization at many plans, so proactive PA submission is essential.
If you have a prescription and are having trouble finding lofexidine in stock, medfinder can help. medfinder calls pharmacies near you, checks current stock, and texts you the results — eliminating the exhausting process of calling pharmacies yourself during an already difficult time.
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