Catapres-TTS : Uses, Side Effects, Interactions & More

Why is this medication prescribed?

Catapres-TTS (Transdermal Clonidine Patch)  is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Clonidine belongs to a class of medications called centrally acting alpha-agonist hypotensive agents. It works by slowing the heart rate and relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body.

How should this medicine be used?

Catapres-TTS (Transdermal clonidine) comes as a patch to apply to the skin. It is usually applied to the skin every 7 days. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any parts you do not understand. Use the Catapres-TTS (Clonidine Patch) exactly as directed. Do not apply it more or less often than prescribed by your doctor.

Apply Catapres-TTS (Clonidine Patch) to clean, dry skin in a hairless area on the upper, outer arm, or upper chest. Choose an area where tight clothing will not rub. Do not apply patches to skin that has wrinkles or folds, or to cut, scraped, irritated, scarred, or freshly shaved skin. You can bathe, swim, or shower while you are wearing a Catapres-TTS.

If the Catapres-TTS becomes loose while you wear it, apply the adhesive cover that comes with the patch. The adhesive cover will help keep the Catapres-TTS on until it is time to replace it. If the Catapres-TTS becomes loose or falls off significantly, replace it with a new one in a different area. Replace the new patch on your next scheduled patch change day.

Your doctor may start with a low dose of Catapres-TTS and gradually increase your dose, no more than once a week.

The Catapres-TTS (Clonidine Patch) controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. It may take 2 to 3 days before the full benefit of the Catapres-TTS is seen in your blood pressure readings. Keep using the Catapres-TTS even if you feel fine. Do not stop using the Catapres-TTS without consulting your doctor. If you stop using the Catapres-TTS suddenly, it can cause a rapid rise in blood pressure and symptoms such as nervousness, headache, and confusion. Your doctor will likely decrease your dose gradually over 2 to 4 days.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient and read it carefully. To apply the patch, follow the instructions in the patient instructions. Be sure to ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about how to use this medicine.

Other uses for this medicine

The Catapres-TTS is also sometimes used as an aid in smoking cessation therapy and in the treatment of menopausal hot flashes. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this drug for your condition.

This medicine may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before using Catapres-TTS,

  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to clonidine, any of the ingredients in the Catapres-TTS, or any other medications. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients in the Catapres-TTS.
  • Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: antidepressants; beta blockers such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin, in Tenoretic), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta, in Ziac), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard XL), nadolol (Corgard XL) in Corzide), pindolol, propranolol (Inderal, Innopran XL, in Inderide), sotalol (Betapace, Sorine) and timolol (Blocadren, in Timolide); calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc, in Caduet and Lotrel), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others), felodipine (Plendil, in Lexxel), isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (A) , Procardia, nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan, others); digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin); medications for anxiety, mental illness, or seizures; sedative sleeping pills; Tranquilizers and tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline, amoxapine, clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), maprotiline, nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Surmoniptyline), and trimipramine. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you closely for side effects.
  • Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a stroke, recent heart attack, or heart or kidney disease.
  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using the Catapres-TTS, call your doctor.
  • Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using the Catapres-TTS if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should generally not use the Catapres-TTS because it is not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.
  • If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using a Catapres-TTS.
  • You should know that the Catapres-TTS may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
  • Ask your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while using the Catapres-TTS. Alcohol can make the side effects of the Catapres-TTS worse.
  • You should know that the Catapres-TTS can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from lying down. This is more common when you start using the Catapres-TTS. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
  • You should know that the Catapres-TTS can cause skin burns if you have an MRI (MRI; a radiology technique designed to show images of body structures). Tell your doctor that you are using a Catapres-TTS if you are having an MRI.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Your doctor may prescribe a low-salt or low-sodium diet. Follow these directions carefully.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take off the old patch and apply a new patch to a different place as soon as you remember. Replace the new patch on your next scheduled patch change day. Do not apply two patches to make up for a forgotten dose.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Catapres-TTS may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, are severe or do not go away:

  • redness, burning, swelling, or itching in the place where you applied a patch
  • change in skin color in the place where you applied a patch
  • dry mouth or throat
  • change in taste
  • constipation
  • nausea
  • tiredness
  • headache
  • nervousness
  • decreased sexual ability
  • difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • rash anywhere on the body
  • blisters or inflammation in the place where you applied a patch
  • hives
  • swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
  • difficulty swallowing or breathing
  • hoarseness

The Catapres-TTS may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medicine.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor can submit a report online to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?

Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Dispose of patches that are out of date or no longer needed by opening the bag and folding each patch in half with the sticky sides together. Dispose of the folded patch carefully, making sure it is out of the reach of children and pets.

Unnecessary medications must be disposed of in special ways to ensure they cannot be consumed by pets, children, and others. However, you should not flush this medicine down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medications is through a drug take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage / recycling department to find out about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA Safe Drug Disposal website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medicines out of the sight and reach of children, since many containers (such as those containing weekly pills and those for eye drops, creams, patches and inhalers) are not resistant to children and small children can easily open them. To protect young children from poisoning, always close the safety caps and immediately place the medicine in a safe place, one that is upright and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

In case of emergency/overdose

If someone applies additional Catapres-TTSes, remove them from the skin. Then call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has passed out or is not breathing, call your local emergency services at 911.

Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

  • fainting
  • slow heart rate
  • difficulty breathing
  • shivering
  • slurred speech
  • tiredness
  • confusion
  • cold, pale skin
  • drowsiness
  • weakness
  • smaller pupils (black circles in the middle of the eyes)

What other information should I know?

Keep all your appointments with your doctor. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly to determine your response to the Catapres-TTS.

Your doctor may ask you to check your pulse (heart rate) daily and will tell you how fast it should be. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to teach you how to take your pulse. If your pulse is slower or faster than it should, call your doctor.

Don’t let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important that you keep a written list of all prescription and over-the-counter (over-the-counter) medications you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you every time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to take with you in case of emergencies.

Brand Names

  • Catapres-TTS®

Disclaimer: DrLinex has made every effort to ensure that all information is factually accurate, comprehensive and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a licensed health care professional’s choice of knowledge and expertise. You should always consult your doctor or other health care professional before taking any medication. The information given here is subject to change and it has not been used to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or adverse effects. The lack of warning or other information for any drug does not indicate that the combination of medicine or medication is safe, effective or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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