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Clonidine

 

Clonidine (generic Catapress) Review

brand name: Catapres
generic names: Clonidine, Clonidine hydrochloride

Clonidine is used for:

Treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Clonidine is an alpha agonist. It works by relaxing (dilating) blood vessels and decreasing heart rate, which lowers blood pressure.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Catapres during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Catapres appears in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. If this medication is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment with this medication is finished.

Label warnings

• This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery.
  
  
• Do not stop taking this medication except on your doctor's advice.
  
  

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
•depression
•diabetes
•heart or blood vessel disease
•kidney disease
•recent heart attack or stroke
•an unusual or allergic reaction to Clonidine (Catapress), other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

Important safety information:

• If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Clonidine (Catapress) during pregnancy. Clonidine is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Clonidine (Catapress), check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
• Use Clonidine (Catapress) with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years of age. Safety and effectiveness in this age group have not been confirmed. Also, CHILDREN who are sick and vomiting may be more sensitive to developing withdrawal symptoms.
• Use Clonidine (Catapress) with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.
• LAB TESTS, including blood pressure, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Before having any surgical or dental procedures or receiving emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist in charge that you are receiving Clonidine (Catapress).
• If you experience dry mouth, use sugarless candy or gum, or melt bits of ice in your mouth to help keep your mouth moist.
• Patients being treated for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after beginning therapy. Continue taking your medication even though you may not feel quite "normal". Contact your doctor or pharmacist about any new symptoms.
• Clonidine (Catapress) may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, exercise, hot weather, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, lightheadedness, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, or weakness.
• Avoid drinking alcohol or taking other medications that cause drowsiness (eg, sedatives, tranquilizers) while taking Clonidine (Catapress). Clonidine will add to the effects of alcohol and other depressants. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines are depressants.
• Clonidine (Catapress) may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Clonidine. Using Clonidine (Catapress) alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.

If you suddenly stop taking Clonidine (Catapress), tremor, headache, agitation, including nervousness, you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms, and rapid increase in blood pressure.

How should you take Catapres?

Take this medication exactly as prescribed, even if you are feeling well. Try not to miss any doses. If Catapres is not taken regularly, your condition may get worse.

--If you miss a dose...

Take it as soon as you remember, then go back to your regular schedule. If you forget to take the medication 2 or more times in a row, or if you forget to change the transdermal patch for 3 or more days, contact your doctor.

--Storage instructions...

Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container away from light.

The Catapres-TTS patch should be put on a hairless, clean area of the upper outer arm or chest. Normally, a new one is applied every 7 days to a new area of the skin. If the patch becomes loose, use some adhesive tape or an adhesive bandage to keep it in place.