Clonidine, Catapres Information
Clonidine, Catapres
Clonidine tablets.
Each Catapres tablet contains 150 µg. clonidine.
Clonidine, brand name Catapres, comes in packs of 100 tablets and is
manufactured by Boehringer-Ingelheim
Common uses and directions for Clonidine, Catapres
Clonidine hydrochloride USP is a centrally acting
antihypertensive agent available as tablets for oral administration.
Catapres, clonidine, is indicated in the treatment of hypertension and may
be employed alone or concomitantly with other antihypertensive agents.
The dose of clonidine must be adjusted according to the
patient's individual blood pressure response. The following is a general
guide to its administration.
Initial dose: 0.15 mg tablet twice daily (morning and
bedtime). Elderly patients may benefit from a lower initial dose.
Maintenance dose: Further increments of 0.15 mg per day
may be made if necessary until the desired response is achieved. Taking
the larger portion of the dose at bedtime may minimize transient
adjustment effects of dry mouth and drowsiness. The therapeutic doses of
clonidine most commonly employed have ranged from 0.2 mg to 0.6 mg per day
given in divided doses.
Most side effects of the use of clonidine are mild and
tend to diminish with continued therapy. The most frequent (which appear
to be dose-related) are dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation and
sedation.
Clonidine common uses
Clonidine hydrochloride USP is a centrally acting
antihypertensive agent.
Catapres, clonidine, is indicated in the treatment of hypertension.
Clonidine may be employed alone or concomitantly with other
antihypertensive agents.
Clonidine directions
Catapres comes as a tablet containing 150 µg. clonidine,
to take by mouth.
The dose of clonidine must be adjusted according to the patient's
individual blood pressure response. The following is a general guide to
its administration.
Initial dose: One 0.15 mg Catapres tablet twice daily
(morning and bedtime). Elderly patients may benefit from a lower initial
dose.
Maintenance dose: Further increments of 0.15 mg per day may be made if
necessary until the desired response is achieved. Taking the larger
portion of the daily dose at bedtime may minimize transient adjustment
effects of dry mouth and drowsiness. The therapeutic doses most commonly
employed have ranged from 0.2 mg to 0.6 mg per day given in divided doses.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered if it is within an hour
or so. If you do not remember until later, skip the missed dose and resume
your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
Clonidine precautions
The safety of Catapres has only been established in a
highly selected group of cancer patients, and only after an adequate trial
of opioid analgesia. Other use of Catapres is of unproven safety and is
not recommended.
As with all antihypertensive therapy, clonidine should be
used with caution in patients with severe coronary insufficiency, recent
myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease or chronic renal failure.
For individuals with renal impairment, the dosage of
clonidine must be adjusted according to the degree of impairment, and the
individual should be carefully monitored. Since only a minimal amount of
clonidine is removed during routine hemodialysis, there is no need to give
supplemental clonidine following dialysis.
Patients should be instructed not to discontinue therapy
without consulting their physician. Sudden cessation of clonidine
treatment has resulted in subjective symptoms such as nervousness,
agitation and headache, accompanied or followed by a rapid rise in blood
pressure.
There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in
pregnant women why clonidine should be used during pregnancy only if
clearly needed.
As clonidine hydrochloride is excreted in human milk,
caution should be exercised when clonidine hydrochloride is administered
to a nursing woman.
Clonidine possible side effects
Most side effects effects of the use of Catapres,
clonidine, are mild and tend to diminish with continued therapy. The most
frequent (which appear to be dose-related) are dry mouth, drowsiness,
dizziness, constipation and sedation.
Less frequent side effects include nausea and vomiting, anorexia, malaise,
mild transient abnormalities in liver function tests, nervousness,
agitation and insomnia.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact
your doctor.
Clonidine overdose
If overdose of clonidine is suspected, contact your local
poison control center or emergency room immediately.
The signs and symptoms of clonidine hydrochloride overdosage include
hypotension, bradycardia, lethargy, irritability, weakness, somnolence,
diminished or absent reflexes, miosis, vomiting and hypoventilation.
Additional information
Keep Catapres in a tightly closed container and out of
reach of children. Store Catapres at controlled room temperature and away
from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).
If a patient receiving clonidine is also taking tricyclic
antidepressants, the effect of clonidine may be reduced, thus
necessitating an increase in dosage. Clonidine hydrochloride may enhance
the CNS-depressive effects of alcohol, barbiturates or other sedatives.
Note
The above information is intended to supplement, not
substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, or other
healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use
of Catapres is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your
healthcare professional before using Catapres.
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