Catapres (Clonidine)

What is Catapres?

Catapres belongs to a family of drugs, known as the central alpha agonists.

What is Catapres used for?

Catapres is indicated for the treatment of conditions like hypertension or high blood pressure. A controlled blood pressure, in turn, helps prevent heart attacks, strokes and kidney troubles.

It is also used to treat the symptoms caused by alcohol withdrawal, diabetic diarrhea, and Tourette’s syndrome, and as an aid in methadone and opiate detoxification. The medication also helps in quitting smoking. Conditions like menopausal flushing, ulcerative colitis, postherpetic neuralgia, pheochromocytoma can also be treated with Catapres.

How does Catapres work?

Catapres works by reducing the levels of certain chemicals in the blood stream.  This action allows the blood vessels to relax and thus, permit the blood to flow easily.

How to use Catapres

Catapres is to be taken in the manner prescribed by the doctor. Taking it for longer period or in larger amount can cause health problem.

The medicine is usually taken twice daily (in the morning and at night, before going to sleep). It can be taken with or without food. Remember to take the medicine at the same time each day.

Do not break the continuity of taking Catapres suddenly without telling your doctor. Continue to take this medication even if you start feeling better.

Catapres warnings and precautions

Do not take this medicine if you are sensitive to Catapres. Prior to taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you are suffering from heart rhythm disorder, severe coronary artery disease, kidney disease, history of heart attack, or if you ever had allergy from Catapres transdermal skin patch. You may need a dose adjustment.

If you need to undergo any kind of surgery, tell your surgeon about the use of this medicine, in advance. You may need to temporarily stop taking this medicine, but do not stop until your surgeon advises you to.

Avoid consuming alcohol along with this medicine as it can increase the side effects of Catapres.

It is not certain whether Catapres is harmful to the unborn baby or not, so you must ask your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive. Lactating mothers should not take this medicine, without consulting their doctors.

What do I do if I have missed a Catapres dose?

If you have missed your Catapres dose, you should take it as soon as you remember. Do not take two medicines at one time to make up for the missed dose. Skip the missed dose if it’s almost time to take the next one.

What do I do if I have taken a Catapres overdose?

If you have taken a Catapres overdose, you should take emergency medical aid.

Catapres interactions

Before taking Catapres, tell your doctor about all prescription and non prescription drugs that you use, especially if you are taking medicines that make you sleepy, like cold or allergy medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, narcotic pain medicines, medicines for seizures, depression, or anxiety.

Also inform your doctor if you are already using Catapres transdermal skin patches, digoxin, Lanoxin, Elavil, Etrafon, Lanoxicaps, metoprolol, nadolol, propranolol and sotalol.

Drugs like Norvasc, Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem, Plendil, Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan, Procardia, Adalat should be used cautiously with Catapres or after prior consultation with the doctor.

Catapres side effects

Get emergency medical help if you see signs of allergic reactions, including swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; hives, or difficulty in breathing.

Call your doctor immediately if you experience Catapres side effects like very slow heart rate, fast or pounding heartbeats, swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath even with mild exertion, fever, pale skin, confusion, hallucinations, feeling like you might pass out, and decreased urination.