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Clonidine
Brand Name: Catapres
Overview
Catapres is the brand name for Clonidine.
Catapres is an anti-hypertensive medication (a drug that lowers
blood pressure) that works by causing the blood vessels to
relax. Catapres is available in tablets, or as a skin patch.
Catapres
usually causes a noticeable drop in blood pressure within
30 to 60 minutes, though the full effects might not be reached
for several weeks.
Why
is this drug prescribed?
Catapres is used in children to treat ADHD. This use
is not FDA approved, but it is a widely accepted use.
Catapres
is used in adults to treat:
- high
blood pressure
- migraine
headaches
- menopausal
syndrome
- withdrawal
syndrome due to alcohol, nicotine, or tranquilizers
- Tourette's
syndrome
- premenstrual
tension
- diabetic
diarrhea
Warnings
and Precautions
Children
are more sensitive to Catapres than adults and may overdose
on a normal adult dose of this medication.
Catapres
may impair coordination and alertness. Individuals taking
Catapres should not drive or operate heavy machinery until
its effects are known and do not interfere with such activities.
Mental alertness is less likely to be affected when dosage
is started small and gradually increased.
Suddenly
discontinuing Catapres may cause withdrawal symptoms such
as headache, nervousness, agitation, tremor, confusion, and
a rapid rise in blood pressure.
Conditions
such as polyarteritis nodosa, scleroderma, and systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE) may interfere with absorption through
the skin when the skin patch is used.
For Pregnant
or Nursing Mothers: During animal studies, Catapres has been
found to cause certain problems, but not birth defects, in
the fetus. Catapres is passed into breast milk, though it
has not been shown to cause problems in the nursing infant.
Pregnant and nursing women are advised not to take Catapres.
Contraindications
Catapres
should Not be used for people with sinus node function
impairment.
Precautions
Catapres
may be used with caution in people with the following conditions:
- Heart
or blood vessel disease — Catapres can make these conditions
worse
- Kidney
disease — dosage may need to be lowered
- Mental
depression — Catapres could make this condition worse
- RaynaudŐs
syndrome — Catapres could make this condition worse
Adverse
Reactions
Catapres
may cause the following reactions:
- dizziness
or lightheadedness
- dry
mouth
- constipation
- drowsiness
- unusual
tiredness or weakness
- Darkening
of skin (with skin patch only)
- impotence
- agitation
- dry,
itching, or burning eyes
- loss
of appetite
- nausea
or vomiting
- nervousness
- loss
of sex drive
- sedation
(calm)
- changes
in heartbeat
- excessive
nighttime urination
- headache
- mental
depression
- pounding
heartbeat
- weight
gain
Interactions
with Drugs and Other Substances
Drugs
or substances that may interact with Catapres include:
- Beta-blockers
— such medications increase the risk of harmful side
effects when Catapres treatment is discontinued suddenly
- All
tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) — these medications
may decrease the effects on blood pressure
- alcohol
and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants such
as antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies,
or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine;
prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine
for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including
some dental anesthetics — these can increase drowsiness
Sources
http://www.healthtouch.com/bin/EContent_HT/drugShowLfts.asp?fname=use0393.htm&title=Catapres&cid=HT
http://www.rxmed.com/monographs/catapres.html
http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/CAT1072.HTM
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