Encyclopedia

U.S. Brand Names

Catapres-TTS®; Catapres®; Duraclon®

Canadian Brand Names

Apo-Clonidine®; Carapres®; Dixarit®; Novo-Clonidine; Nu-Clonidine

Pharmacologic Category

Alpha2-Adrenergic Agonist

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to clonidine or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to prevent migraine headaches.

• This medicine is used to control pain when infused into the spine.

• This medicine is used to relieve painful menstrual cycles.

• This medicine is used to treat drug addiction and withdrawal.

• This medicine is used to treat flushing.

• This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure.

• This medicine is used to treat hot flashes caused by other medicines.

• This medicine is used to treat attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity.

• Rarely, this medicine is used to treat diabetes-associated diarrhea.

How does it work?

• Clonidine decreases the body's release of adrenaline and other hormones that increase blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety.

• It works works through the brain to relieve pain.

• It has a stabilizing effect in children with attention deficit disorder.

How is it best taken?

All forms:

• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

Tablet:

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• Take last dose of the day at bedtime.

Skin patch:

• Remove old patch first.

• Apply to clean, dry, healthy skin on chest, back, or belly. Move site with each patch.

• If patch loosens during the week, apply tape directly over it to hold in place.

Injection:

• This medicine is given into the spine.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

Oral:

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

Skin patch:

• Apply a missed patch as soon as possible after removing the old one.

• If it is almost time for the next patch, place the new patch on.

• Start a new schedule after patch is replaced.

• Do not apply a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Do not run out of this medicine.

• Wear disease medical alert identification.

• You may have certain heart tests before starting this medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• May contain conducting metal. Remove patch before MRI.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• If you are taking this medicine and have high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider before using over-the-counter products that may increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain natural products or supplements.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Skin irritation.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly.

• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Severe constipation.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Severe skin irritation.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store patch and tablets at room temperature.

• Protect tablets from light.

• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• The injection will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 11:36:22.0

Modified: 2008-05-28 15:15:35.0

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