Encyclopedia

U.S. Brand Names

Catapres-TTS®; Catapres®; Duraclon®

Canadian Brand Names

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

Dosage Forms

• This medicine is available as an injection, a skin patch, and a tablet.

Pharmacologic Category

Alpha2-Adrenergic Agonist

Is it safe for my child to take this medicine?

• Not if your child has an allergy to clonidine or any other part of this medicine.

• Be sure to let healthcare provider know if your child has any allergies or reactions to medicine, food preservatives, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected your child. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

Why does my child need this medicine?

• This medicine is used to prevent migraine headaches.

• This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure.

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

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

How does this medicine work?

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

• It works through the brain to relieve pain.

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

How is this medicine given?

All forms:

• Have your child follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

Oral:

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

• Give last dose of the day at bedtime.

Injection (I.V.):

• The injection is given as a shot into the spine.

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.

How long does this medicine take to work?

Oral/skin patch:

• It may take several days to see the full effect.

Spinal:

• Your child may start feeling better soon after starting this medicine.

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

Oral:

• Give a missed dose as soon as possible.

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

• Do not give a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop your child's medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

Injection:

• If shot is missed, call healthcare provider to reschedule.

What safety measures should I take while my child is using this medicine?

• Do not run out of this medicine.

• Have your child wear a disease medical alert identification.

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

• If your child has a fast heartbeat, talk with healthcare provider.

• If your child has heart disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• If your child has kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check your child's medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• The patch may contain conducting metal. Remove your child's patch before having an MRI.

• Avoid giving your child other medicines and natural products that slow actions and reactions.

• If your child is taking this medicine and has high blood pressure, talk with healthcare provider before giving 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.

• This medicine may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, contact sports) or using items that require concentration or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's activities should be closely monitored until you see how this medicine affects him/her. School work may be more difficult for your child to focus on and complete.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling dizzy. Rising slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position is recommended. Children should be extra careful climbing stairs.

• Feeling lightheaded or sleepy. Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require alertness until you see how this medicine affects him/her.

• 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 may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.

• Skin irritation.

What should I monitor?

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

• For the occurrence of side effects.

• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

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

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

• If any of this information causes you to be concerned, any of the common side effects occur, or if your child's symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine.

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

• If your child shows signs of a life-threatening reaction, call healthcare provider immediately. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behavior.

• If your child shows signs of severe dizziness or passes out.

• If your child has severe constipation.

• If your child has severe skin irritation.

• If your child is feeling extremely tired or weak.

• If your child develops a rash.

• No improvement in condition or if you believe your child's condition is worse.

How should I store and/or dispose of 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 your child in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

General statements

• If your child has a life-threatening allergy, he/she should wear an allergy identification bracelet at all times.

• This medicine is available by prescription only. If there are refills, contact your pharmacy. If no refills remain, you may need to contact your child's healthcare provider.

• This medicine should be thrown out when your child no longer needs it or if the medicine becomes outdated.

• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.

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

• Many medications interact with other medications. Keep a list of all your child's medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to your child's 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 your child's healthcare provider before giving him/her any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

• Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow directions given by healthcare provider.

Created: 2006-10-16 10:36:40.0

Modified: 2008-04-28 09:28:28.0

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