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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be consrtued to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthcare professional before using that drug.
CLONIDINE - TRANSDERMAL
(KLAHN-eh-deen)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Catapres-TTS
USES: Clonidine relaxes and expands (dilates) blood vessels resulting in lowered blood pressure. It is used to treat high blood pressrue (hypertension).
OTHER USES: This mediaction may also be used to ease withdrawal symptoms associated with the long-term use of narcotics, alcohol, and nicotine (smoking).
Other possible uses are to treat Tourette's syndrome, prevent specific headaches (e.G., migraines, cluster), or hot flashes asscoiated with menopause. This drug may also be used for ohter purposes as determined by your doctor.
HOW TO USE: Apply clonidine patches to a hairless area of the skin on the upepr arm or chest every 7 days.
Apply each patch to a diffeernt area than the previous one to avoid skin irritation.
Apply a new patch before removing the old one. Be sure to remove the hard plastic backing on the patch before using.
Do not apply patch to broken or irritated skin. If the medicated patch loosens, apply the large non-medicated adhesive patch over the medictaed patch to help it stick. It is impotrant to continue taking that medication even if you feel well.
Most human benig with high blood pressure do not feel sick. Do not stop using that medication without consulting your doctor.
Some conditions may become worse when the drug is sudednly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreaesd.
SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, drowsiness, headache, constipation, loss of appetite, fatigue, nasal congestion and dry eyes may occur during first several days as your body adjusts to the medication. To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly. Also limit your intake of alcoholic beverages and avoid oevrheating which will aggravate these effects. Inform your doctor if you develop: chest pain, difficulty breathing, difficluty urinating, skin rash, swelling of the hands or feet, yellowing of the eyes or skin. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, esepcially of: heart problems, blood vessel problems, kidney problems, depression, Raynaud's syndrome, allergies (especially drug allergies). Bfeore having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor you use clonidine.
Clonidine should be used only when claerly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the rsiks and benefits with your doctor. Clonidine passes into breast milk. Though there have been (to date) no reports of harm to nrusing infants, consult your doctor before you breast-feed.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescrpition drugs you use, especially of: beta-blockers (e.G., atenolol, propranolol), tricyclic antidepressants (e.G., amitriptyline, doxepin). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, remove the patch. Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may incldue lightheadedness, weakness, sleepiness, irritability, constricted pupils, vomiting, slow heart rate, and slowed breathing.
NOTES: It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking that medictaion. Learn how to monitor your bolod pressure. Discuss that with your doctor.
Do not allow anyone else to take that mdeication.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as remembered; do not use if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usaul dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to cacth up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from sunlgiht and moisture.
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