Generic Name: clonidine (transdermal) (KLOE ni deen)
Brand Names: Catapres-TTS-1, Catapres-TTS-2, Catapres-TTS-3
What is Catapres-TTS-1 (clonidine (transdermal))?
Clonidine lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows your blood vessels to relax and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.
Clonidine transdermal is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). It is sometimes used together with other blood pressure medications.
Clonidine transdermal may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Catapres-TTS-1 (clonidine (transdermal))?
Before using clonidine transdermal, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or severe coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder, a history of heart attack or stroke, or kidney disease. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products.
Clonidine skin patches come with optional "cover" patches. The cover patch is placed over the clonidine patch to help it stick to your skin. The cover patch does not contain any active medicine. It should be worn only over a clonidine patch.
Clonidine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
The clonidine transdermal patch may burn your skin if you wear the patch during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Remove the clonidine patch before undergoing such a test.
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using clonidine transdermal. If you need emergency heart resuscitation, your family or caregivers should tell emergency medical personnel if you are wearing a clonidine skin patch. The patch should be removed before any electrical equipment (such as a defribrillator) is used on you.
Do not stop using clonidine transdermal suddenly, or you could have unpleasant or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using clonidine transdermal.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using Catapres-TTS-1 (clonidine (transdermal))?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to clonidine.
To make sure you can safely take clonidine transdermal, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
heart disease or severe coronary artery disease;
a heart rhythm disorder;
a history of heart attack or stroke;
- kidney disease; or
if you have ever had an allergic reaction to clonidine transdermal.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether clonidine transdermal is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Clonidine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I use Catapres-TTS-1 (clonidine (transdermal))?
Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
This medication comes with patient instructions for safe and effective use. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Before applying a skin patch, wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly. Also wash and dry the skin area where you plan to apply the patch. Rinse and wipe dry with a clean tissue.
Apply the skin patch to a flat, hairless area of the chest, back, side, or outer side of your upper arm. To remove any hair from these areas, clip the hair short but do not shave it. Press the patch firmly with the palm making sure it sticks firmly, especially around the edges.
You will wear the patch for 7 days and then remove it and put on a new one. Apply the new patch to a different skin area on your arm or torso. Do not apply patches to the same skin area 2 weeks in a row. Do not wear more than 1 patch at a time unless your doctor has told you to.
Clonidine skin patches come with optional "cover" patches. The cover patch is placed over the clonidine patch to help it stick to your skin. The clonidine patch is square and the cover patch is round. The cover patch does not contain any active medicine. It should be worn only over a clonidine patch.
You may use a cover patch if the clonidine patch becomes loose or falls off before you have worn it for 7 days. Apply the cover patch over the clonidine patch. Keep both patches on for the rest of your 7-day wearing time.
After removing a skin patch fold it in half, sticky side in, and throw it away where children and pets cannot get to it.
The clonidine transdermal patch may burn your skin if you wear the patch during an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). Remove the clonidine patch before undergoing such a test.
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using clonidine transdermal. If you need emergency heart resuscitation, your family or caregivers should tell emergency medical personnel if you are wearing a clonidine skin patch. The patch should be removed before any electrical equipment (such as a defribrillator) is used on you.
Do not stop using clonidine transdermal suddenly, or you could have unpleasant or life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using clonidine transdermal.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each skin patch in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Apply a skin patch as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use extra patches to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath) followed by low blood pressure (feeling light-headed, fainting), drowsiness, cold feeling, slow heart rate, shallow breathing, weakness, fainting, or pinpoint pupils.
What should I avoid while using Catapres-TTS-1 (clonidine (transdermal))?
Avoid using lotions, oils, or other skin products on the area where you will apply the skin patch. The patch may not stick properly to the skin.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of clonidine transdermal. Clonidine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Catapres-TTS-1 (clonidine (transdermal)) side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
fast or pounding heartbeats;
a very slow heart rate (fewer than 60 beats per minute);
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
swelling, rapid weight gain;
confusion, hallucinations;
fever, pale skin;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
numbness or cold feeling in your hands or feet;
feeling like you might pass out; or
severe skin irritation, redness, swelling, burning, or blistering where the patch is worn.
Less serious side effects may include:
feeling dizzy, drowsy, tired, or nervous;
dry mouth;
dry or burning eyes, blurred vision;
headache, muscle or joint pain;
nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite;
sleep problems (insomnia);
urinating more at night;
mild skin rash or itching;
decreased sex drive, impotence; or
skin rash, discoloration, or mild irritation where the patch is worn.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect Catapres-TTS-1 (clonidine (transdermal))?
Before using clonidine transdermal, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by clonidine.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
oral clonidine (tablets);
digitalis (digoxin, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Vanatrip, Limbitrol), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others;
a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin, Tenoretic), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Dutoprol, Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), and others;
heart or blood pressure medicine such as amlodipine (Norvasc, Caduet, Exforge, Lotrel, Tekamlo, Tribenzor, Twynsta, Amturnide), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), nifedipine (Nifedical, Procardia), verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others; or
any other drugs to treat high blood pressure or heart problems.
This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with clonidine transdermal. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
More Catapres-TTS-1 resources
- Catapres-TTS-1 Side Effects (in more detail)
- Catapres-TTS-1 Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Catapres-TTS-1 Drug Interactions
- Catapres-TTS-1 Support Group
- 4 Reviews for Catapres-TTS-1 - Add your own review/rating
Compare Catapres-TTS-1 with other medications
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Where can I get more information?
- Your pharmacist has information about clonidine transdermal.
See also: Catapres-TTS-1 side effects (in more detail)
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