Catapres (Clonidine) belongs to the group of medications called antihypertensives or vascular stabilizers. It is used alone or in combination with thiazide diuretics (e.g., Hydrochlorothiazide) to treat high blood pressure. It is usually tried when other types of blood pressure medications are ineffective or cannot be used. Catapres (Clonidine) works by widening the blood vessels, which increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure.

Catapres (Clonidine) can also be used to relieve menopausal hot flashes when hormone replacement therapy is not needed or not desired. For hot flashes, Catapres (Clonidine) works by helping reduce the response of the blood vessels to stimuli that cause them to narrow and widen.

Catapres (Clonidine) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Catapres (Clonidine) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Catapres (Clonidine) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Catapres (Clonidine) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Catapres (Clonidine), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Catapres (Clonidine) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Catapres (Clonidine) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Catapres (Clonidine) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

For treatment of high blood pressure, the usual starting dose of Catapres (Clonidine) is 0.1 mg twice daily, taken in the morning and at bedtime. After 2 to 4 weeks, your doctor may increase your dose gradually by 0.1 mg per day. The usual dose ranges from 0.1 mg to 0.3 mg twice daily.

The tablets should be swallowed whole with water.

Do not stop taking Catapres (Clonidine) suddenly without checking with your doctor.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take Catapres (Clonidine) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store Catapres (Clonidine) at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Catapres (Clonidine). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Catapres (Clonidine) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Catapres (Clonidine). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• decreased sexual ability
• Constipation
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• fatigue
• feeling unwell
• headache
• nausea and vomiting
• tiredness
• trouble sleeping

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• confusion
• difficulty changing visual focus
• difficulty urinating
• dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting - especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position
• joint pain
• muscle pain or cramps
• paleness or cold feeling in fingertips and toes
• seeing or hearing things that are not there (hallucinations)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, Diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• skin rash
• slow, fast or pounding heart beat
• symptoms of blockage of the large bowel (e.g., constipation, vomiting, liver problems)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• signs of a serious allergic reaction (e.g., Hives; difficulty breathing; or swelling of the face, mouth, tongue, or throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Catapres (Clonidine).

0.1 mg
Each round, white, flat, bevelled-edged tablet, one side scored with each half bearing the imprint "O1C", the reverse side bearing the Ingelheim Tower, contains 0.1 mg of Catapres (Clonidine) HCl. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silica, dibasic calcium phosphate, lactose, maize starch (dried), polyvinylpyrrolidone, soluble starch, and stearic acid.

Do not take Catapres (Clonidine) if you:

• are allergic to Catapres (Clonidine) or any ingredients of Catapres (Clonidine)
• have a certain type of abnormal heart rhythm associated with a low heart rate

There may be an interaction between Catapres (Clonidine) and any of the following:

• alcohol
• Aldesleukin
• alpha-blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• amifostine
• Amiodarone
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine)
• angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; Captopril, Enalapril, Ramipril)
• angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs; e.g., Candesartan, Irbesartan, Losartan)
• antihistamines (e.g,. cetirizine, doxylamine, Diphenhydramine, Hydroxyzine, Loratadine)
• antipsychotics (e.g., Chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• azelastine
• barbiturates (e.g., butalbital, pentobarbital, Phenobarbital)
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Diazepam, Lorazepam)
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., atenolol, metoprolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• brimonidine
• Buprenorphine
• Buspirone
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Diltiazem, Verapamil)
• Ceritinib
• chloral hydrate
• Digoxin
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., Aliskiren, Furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, triamterene)
• Donepezil
• Dronedarone
• efavirenz
• ephedrine
• Epinephrine
• Fingolimod
• Galantamine
• general anesthetics (medications used to put people to sleep before surgery)
• Guanfacine
• Lanreotide
• levodopa
• Methadone
• Methylphenidate
• Minocycline
• Minoxidil
• Mirtazapine
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, methocarbamol, orphenadrine)
• Nabilone
• narcotic pain relievers (e.g., Codeine, Fentanyl, Morphine, Oxycodone)
• nitrates (e.g., Nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., Indomethacin, Naproxen, Diclofenac)
• Octreotide
• Olopatadine
• other alpha agonists (e.g., methyldopa)
• Pasireotide
• penoxifylline
• phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)
• Pramipexole
• Propafenone
• Pseudoephedrine
• Rituximab
• Rivastigmine
• Ropinirole
• Rotigotine
• Rufinamide
• scopolamine
• seizure medications (e.g., Carbamazepine, Clobazam, , Levetiracetam, phenobarbital, Phenytoin, primidone, Topiramate, Valproic acid, zonisamide)
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Duloxetine, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; e.g., Desvenlafaxine, duloxetine, Venlafaxine)
• Tapentadol
• tetrahydrocannabinol
• thalidomide
• Tizanidine
• Tramadol
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Clomipramine, Desipramine, Imipramine)
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Catapres (Clonidine). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Catapres (Clonidine).

Depression: Catapres (Clonidine) can cause symptoms of depression. If you have a history of depression, discuss with your doctor how Catapres (Clonidine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Catapres (Clonidine), and whether any special monitoring is needed. If you experience symptoms of depression such as poor concentration, changes in weight, changes in sleep, or decreased interest in activities, or notice them in a family member who is taking Catapres (Clonidine), contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Catapres (Clonidine) can cause drowsiness and dizziness and may affect the ability of your eyes to change focus quickly between distance and close up. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how you are affected by Catapres (Clonidine).

Eyes: Catapres (Clonidine) may affect the eye. People taking Catapres (Clonidine) should receive periodic eye examinations. Catapres (Clonidine) can cause decreased tear production, and contact lenses may become uncomfortable to wear.

Heart or blood vessel disease: Catapres (Clonidine) lowers blood pressure, which can cause worsening of heart conditions that are affected by decreased blood flow. If you have severe heart or blood vessel disease, have recently had a Heart Attack or Stroke, or a slow heart rate, discuss with your doctor how Catapres (Clonidine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Catapres (Clonidine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or decreased kidney function can cause Catapres (Clonidine) to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function, discuss with your doctor how Catapres (Clonidine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Catapres (Clonidine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Lactose: Catapres (Clonidine) may contain lactose. If you have galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption, you should not take Catapres (Clonidine) without talking to your doctor.

Other medical conditions: If you have polyneuropathy or constipation, discuss with your doctor how Catapres (Clonidine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Catapres (Clonidine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Raynaud's disease: If you have Raynaud's disease, discuss with your doctor how Catapres (Clonidine) may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Catapres (Clonidine), and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Surgery: If you are having any type of surgery, make sure that the doctors involved in your care are aware that you are taking Catapres (Clonidine).

Withdrawal: Don't stop taking Catapres (Clonidine) without talking to your doctor. A severe withdrawal reaction may develop within 12 to 48 hours when Catapres (Clonidine) is stopped suddenly. This reaction includes a rapid rise in blood pressure and symptoms such as nervousness, agitation, restlessness, pounding heartbeat, nausea, and headache. When stopping Catapres (Clonidine) therapy, your doctor will instruct you to reduce the dose gradually over 2 to 4 days to avoid this reaction. A withdrawal reaction is most likely to occur in people who have been receiving large doses of Catapres (Clonidine) or who are taking another type of blood pressure medication called a beta-blocker (e.g., Atenolol, Metoprolol, Bisoprolol) at the same time.

Pregnancy: When taken during pregnancy, Catapres (Clonidine) crosses the placenta and may cause the developing baby’s heart rate to slow.

Catapres (Clonidine) should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Catapres (Clonidine), contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Catapres (Clonidine) passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Catapres (Clonidine), it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding. Catapres (Clonidine) is not recommended for women who are breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Catapres (Clonidine) have not been established for children.