Pronunciation: KLOE-ni-deen
Generic Name: Clonidine
Brand Name: Catapres-TTS
Catapres-TTS Patches are 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.
Catapres-TTS Patches are an alpha agonist. It works by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing heart rate, which lowers blood pressure.
Do NOT use Catapres-TTS Patches if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Catapres-TTS Patches or in the patch
- you are taking a tricyclic antidepressant (eg, amitriptyline)
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Catapres-TTS Patches:
Some medical conditions may interact with Catapres-TTS Patches. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have kidney problems, heart problems, problems with the blood vessels in your heart or brain, or the blood disease porphyria, or if you will be having surgery
- if you have a history of stroke or a recent heart attack
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Catapres-TTS Patches. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Beta-blockers (eg, propranolol) because severe and sometimes life-threatening increased blood pressure may occur if Catapres-TTS Patches are suddenly stopped
- Calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil) or digoxin because they may increase the risk of Catapres-TTS Patches's side effects
- Tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because they may decrease Catapres-TTS Patches's effectiveness
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Catapres-TTS Patches may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Catapres-TTS Patches:
Use Catapres-TTS Patches as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet is available with Catapres-TTS Patches. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Apply the patch to a hairless area on the upper outer arm or chest once every 7 days. The area chosen should be free of cuts, scrapes, irritation, scars, and calluses. Do not shave the area before applying the patch. Do not place the patch on skin folds or under tight undergarments because it may come loose. Each new patch should be placed on a different skin site from the previous site. Rotate application sites as directed by your doctor.
- Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them completely before applying Catapres-TTS Patches.
- Clean the chosen area with soap and water. Rinse the area and wipe it with a clean, dry tissue.
- Remove the patch from the pouch. Remove the clear plastic protective backing from the pouch by gently peeling off one half of the backing at a time. Avoid touching the sticky side of the patch.
- Place the patch on the skin site (sticky side down) by applying firm pressure on top of the patch. The adhesive overlay does not contain any medicine and should not be used alone.
- Wash your hands with soap and water to remove any medication that may be on your hands.
- If the patch does not stick firmly or begins to come loose, apply the adhesive overlay on top of the patch. The adhesive overlay does not contain any medicine and should not be used alone.
- After removing the used patch, fold it in half with the sticky sides together. Discard the patch out of the reach of children and away from pets. Even after it has been used, the patch contains active medicine, which may be harmful if accidentally applied or ingested.
- Continue to use Catapres-TTS Patches even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Catapres-TTS Patches, apply it as soon as possible.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Catapres-TTS Patches.
Important safety information:
- Catapres-TTS Patches may cause drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Catapres-TTS Patches with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Catapres-TTS Patches may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Talk to your doctor before using alcohol or medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you use Catapres-TTS Patches; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- If you experience mild skin irritation at the application site before completing 7 days of use, you may remove the patch and apply a new patch to a different site unless directed otherwise by your doctor.
- Contact your doctor at once if moderate to severe redness or blisters occur at the application site.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Catapres-TTS Patches before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Skin burns have occurred at the patch site during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If you will be having an MRI, ask your doctor if you should remove your patch during the procedure.
- Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
- If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
- Catapres-TTS Patches may cause harm if it is swallowed. If you may have taken it by mouth, contact your poison control center or emergency room right away.
- If you experience dry mouth, use sugarless candy or gum, or melt bits of ice in your mouth.
- Patients who wear contact lenses may notice dry eyes while using Catapres-TTS Patches. If you experience eye dryness or irritation, talk with your doctor about ways to lessen this effect.
- Do not suddenly stop using Catapres-TTS Patches without checking with your doctor. Nervousness, agitation, confusion, tremor, and headache may occur. These may be followed by a rapid, severe rise in blood pressure. You may be at greater risk if you use high doses or if you also take a beta-blocker (eg, propranolol). If you need to stop using Catapres-TTS Patches, follow your doctor's instructions for slowly decreasing your dose.
- Lab tests, including blood pressure, may be performed while you use Catapres-TTS Patches. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Catapres-TTS Patches with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.
- Catapres-TTS Patches should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Catapres-TTS Patches while you are pregnant. Catapres-TTS Patches are found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Catapres-TTS Patches, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
If you suddenly stop taking Catapres-TTS Patches, you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms including nervousness, agitation, headache, tremor, and rapid increase in blood pressure. Do not suddenly stop taking Catapres-TTS Patches without checking with your doctor.
Possible side effects of Catapres-TTS Patches:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Constipation, dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth or throat; headache; lack of energy; mild skin irritation; tiredness; trouble sleeping.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); blurred vision or other vision changes; chest pain; decrease in sexual desire or ability; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, anxiety, depression); rash, blisters, burning, or color change at the application site; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; skin irritation; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Catapres-TTS side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include coma; decreased body temperature (feeling very cold); difficult or slow breathing; irritability; pinpoint pupils; seizures; severe or persistent dizziness or drowsiness; slow or irregular heartbeat; weakness.
Proper storage of Catapres-TTS Patches:
Store Catapres-TTS Patches below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C). Store in original packaging until just before use. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Catapres-TTS Patches out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Catapres-TTS Patches, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Catapres-TTS Patches are to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Catapres-TTS Patches. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Catapres-TTS resources
- Catapres-TTS Side Effects (in more detail)
- Catapres-TTS Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Catapres-TTS Drug Interactions
- Catapres-TTS Support Group
- 4 Reviews for Catapres-TTS - Add your own review/rating
Compare Catapres-TTS with other medications
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- Anxiety
- Benzodiazepine Withdrawal
- Bipolar Disorder
- High Blood Pressure
- Migraine Prevention
- Opiate Withdrawal
- Perimenopausal Symptoms
- Smoking Cessation
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