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| Pronunciation |
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 (KLOE
ni
deen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Catapres® Oral; Catapres-TTS®
Transdermal; Duraclon™ |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Clonidine® (Canada);
Catapresan-100® (Mexico); Dixarit® (Canada); Novo-Clonidine
(Canada); Nu-Clonidine (Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Alpha2 Agonist |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to clonidine or any other part of the
medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure, prevent migraine
headache, treat menopausal flushing, hot flashes associated with other
medicines, and painful menstruation (periods).
- It offers pain control in combination with narcotics when infused into
the spine area.
- It has also been used to treat drug abuse and drug withdrawal
syndromes (cocaine, narcotics, cigarette smoking).
- Rarely, it is used for the treatment of diabetes-associated
diarrhea.
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| How does it work? |
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- Clonidine decreases the body's release of adrenaline and other
hormones that increase blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety.
- Pain control works by preventing the pain signal's transmission to the
brain.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Follow diet plan (low salt) as recommended by healthcare provider if
you are taking this medicine for high blood pressure.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine. Medicine should be slowly
decreased. High blood pressure can worsen.
- Tablet:
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach. Take last dose of the day at bedtime.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine. Medicine should be slowly
decreased. High blood pressure can worsen.
- Skin patch:
- Remove old patch first.
- Use on clean, dry skin. Move site with each new patch. Use on trunk of
body. This includes chest, back, and belly.
- If patch loosens during the week, apply tape directly over it to hold
it in
place.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
- Do not change dose or stop taking medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
- Tablet:
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Skin patch:
- Apply the 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
immediately and keep it on for 7 days.
- Start new schedule from time patch is
replaced.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Wear disease medical alert identification for high blood pressure.
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects. You could feel
sleepy.
- 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) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- 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, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Feeling sleepy or unable to think clearly. Avoid driving, doing other
tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine
affects you.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or
laxative.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check blood pressure and heart rate (pulse) regularly.
- Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store tablets in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
- Store skin patch at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- 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, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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