CLONIDINE

Brand & Generic Names

Catapres
Catapres-TTS
Dixarit

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antihypertensive

Uses

• Treatment of high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
• Treatment of dysmenorrhea and menopausal "hot flashes."
• Treatment of narcotic withdrawal syndrome.
• Prevention of vascular headaches.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid.
Patches that attach to skin--Apply to clean, dry, hairless skin on arm or trunk.

When to take:
Daily dose at bedtime.

If you forget a dose:
Bedtime dose--If you forget your once-a- day dose, take it as soon as you remember. Don't double dose.

What drug does:
Relaxes and allows expansion of blood vessel walls.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 3 hours.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription medicines containing alcohol.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Vomiting, fainting, slow heartbeat, coma, diminished reflexes, shortness of breath, dizziness, extreme tiredness.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

• Dizziness, weight gain, drowsiness, lightheadedness upon rising from sitting or lying, swollen breasts.
• Dry mouth, tiredness.

Infrequent:

• Abnormal heart rhythm.
• Headache; painful glands in neck; nightmares; nausea; vomiting; cold fingers and toes; dry, burning eyes; depression.
• Insomnia, constipation, appetite loss, diminished sex drive, nervousness.

Rare:

Rash, itch.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any alpha-adrenergic blocker.
• You are under age 12.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
• If you have heart disease or chronic kidney disease.
• If you have a peripheral circulation disorder (intermittent claudication, Buerger's disease).
• If you have history of depression.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
Studies inconclusive on harm to unborn child. Animal studies show fetal abnormalities. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Unknown whether safe or not. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Use only under careful medical supervision after age 12. Avoid before age 12.

Prolonged use:

• Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.
• Continued use may cause fluid retention, requiring addition of diuretic to treatment program.
• Request yearly eye examinations.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue abruptly. May cause rebound high blood pressure, anxiety, chest pain, insomnia, headache, nausea, irregular heartbeat, flushed face, sweating.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
ACE inhibitors*:	Possible excessive
captopril, enalapril,	potassium in blood.
Antidepressants,	Decreased clonidine
tricyclic (TCA)*	effect.
Antihypertensives,	Excessive blood
other*	pressure drop.
Appetite	Decreased clonidine
suppressants*	effect.
Beta-adrenergic	Possible precipitous
blockers*	change in blood pressure.
Carteolol	Increased antihypertensive
	effect.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Diuretics*	Excessive blood pressure drop.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Fenfluramine	Possible increased clonidine
	effect.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanfacine	Blood pressure control impaired.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
Methyprylon	Increased sedative effect, perhaps
	to dangerous level. Avoid.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Nicardipine	Blood pressure drop. Dosages may
	require adjustment.
Nimodipine	Dangerous blood pressure drop.
Nitrates*	Possible excessive blood pressure
	drop.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effect of both
	drugs.
Sotalol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Terazosin	Decreases effectiveness of
	terazosin.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased sensitivity to sedative
	effect of alcohol and very low
	blood pressure. Avoid.
Caffeine-containing	Decreased clonidine
drinks.	effect.
Cocaine	Increased risk of heart block and
	high blood pressure.
Foods:	No problems expected.
Marijuana:	Weakness on standing.
Tobacco:	No problems expected.