Catapres (Clonidine) is a medication used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Other brand forms of clonidine may be used to treat other conditions. Your doctor will prescribe the best course of treatment for your illness. Catapres belongs to a class of medications called antiadrenergic agents. It works by stimulating adrenergic receptors in the brain stem and blocking certain neurotransmitters, which decreases peripheral vascular resistance, or the amount of resistance in the circulatory system. By reducing the amount of resistance in the circulatory system, the heart is able to pump blood throughout the body more efficiently, causing less strain on the heart and reducing overall blood pressure in the body. It also targets imidazoline receptors in the brain, which is thought to lower blood pressure by reducing signaling in the sympathetic nervous system.
Manufacturer Information
Canadian Pharmacy King currently offers the brand Catapres tablets from the United Kingdom manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim. The generic alternative, Clonidine is available from India also called Arkamin by Unichem Laboratories and from Canada by a different manufacturer. The brand Catapres is available in the strength of 0.1 mg tablets and the generic Clonidine is available in the dosages of 0.025 mg, 0.1 mg, and 0.2 mg tablets.
The common side effects of Catapres may include drowsiness, dizziness, irritability, dry mouth, loss of appetite, constipation, dry eyes, contact lens discomfort, sleep problems, or nightmares. Contact your doctor if you notice more serious side effects such as:
• Anxiety, confusion;
• Light-headedness;
• Nosebleeds;
• Severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats;
• Severe headache, pounding in your neck or ears, blurred vision;
• Very slow heartbeat
Serious side effects may be more likely in older adults. If you notice any severe side effects not listed, or any signs of an allergic reaction, seek emergency medical attention.
You should not use Catapres if you are allergic to Clonidine. To make sure Catapres is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had heart disease or coronary artery disease, heart rhythm disorder, low blood pressure, a history of fainting, a heart attack or stroke, pheochromocytoma (tumour of the adrenal gland), kidney disease, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a Catapres TTS skin patch. It is not known whether this medication will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Catapres can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Talk to your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Catapres is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication, as it may increase certain side effects of Catapres. This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you know how this medication will affect you. Catapres may interact with several medications, especially other heart or blood pressure medications, antidepressants, antihistamines, medications for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, opioid pain relievers, or any other medications that contain clonidine. This is not a complete list of interactions, and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any medications, vitamins, or herbal supplements you are currently taking or have recently taken in order to reduce the risk of any possible interactions.
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