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Catapres |
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What is Catapres and why is it prescribed? Catapres is prescribed for high blood pressure. It is effective when used alone or with other high blood pressure medications. Doctors also prescribe Catapres for alcohol, nicotine, or benzodiazepine withdrawal; migraine headaches; smoking cessation programs; Tourette's syndrome; narcotic/methadone detoxification; premenstrual tension; and diabetic diarrhea. If you have high blood pressure, you must take Catapres regularly for it to be effective. Since blood pressure declines gradually, it may be several weeks before you get the full benefit of Catapres. Catapres does not cure high blood pressure but it keeps it under control. How should you take Catapres? Follow your doctors directions for taking Catapres. Try not to miss any doses. If Catapres is not taken regularly, your condition may get worse. The Catapres-TTS patch should be put on a hairless, clean area of the upper outer arm or chest. Normally, a new one is applied every 7 days to a new area of the skin. If the patch becomes loose, use some adhesive tape or an adhesive bandage to keep it in place. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember, then go back to your regular schedule. If you forget to take the medication 2 or more times in a row, or if you forget to change the transdermal patch for 3 or more days, contact your doctor. Store Catapres at room temperature in a tightly closed container away from light. Are there any Catapres side effects? Catapres side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. More common Catapres side effects may include agitation, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, impotence, loss of sex drive, nausea, nervousness, sedation, vomiting, and weakness. Less common Catapres side effects may include changes in heartbeat, excessive nighttime urination, headache, loss of appetite, mental depression, pounding heartbeat, vague bodily discomfort, and weight gain. Rare Catapres side effects may include abdominal pain, anxiety, behavior changes, blurred vision, breast development in males, burning eyes, congestive heart failure, constipation, delirium, dry eyes, dry nasal passages, fainting, fever, greater sensitivity to alcohol, hallucinations, heart irregularities, hepatitis, hair loss, hives, insomnia, itching, joint pain, leg cramps, little or no urination, muscle pain, pallor, restlessness, and vivid dreams or nightmares. Additional side effects of Catapres-TTS may include abrasions, blisters, burning or reddened skin, discolored or whitened skin, pimples, and throbbing skin. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Catapres? If Catapres is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. Catapres may increase the effects of alcohol. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Catapres with Barbiturates (such as Nembutal and Seconal), Beta-blocker drugs (such as the blood pressure medications Inderal and Lopressor), Calcium blockers (such as the heart medications Calan and Cardizem), Digitalis, Sedatives (such as Valium, Xanax, and Halcion), or Tricyclic antidepressants (such as Elavil and Tofranil). Are there any special warnings about Catapres? Catapres should not be stopped suddenly. Headache, nervousness, agitation, tremor, confusion, and rapid rise in blood pressure can occur. Severe reactions such as disruption of brain functions, stroke, fluid in the lungs, and death have also been reported. Your doctor should gradually reduce your dosage over several days to avoid withdrawal symptoms. If you see redness, blistering, or a rash near the transdermal patch, call your doctor. You may need to remove the patch. If you are troubled by mild irritation before completing 7 days of use, you may remove the patch and apply a new one at a different site. If your doctor has switched you to oral Catapres (tablet) because you had an allergic reaction, such as a rash or hives, to the transdermal skin patch, be aware that you may have a similar reaction to the Catapres tablet. If you have severe heart or kidney disease, are recovering from a heart attack, or have a disease of the blood vessels of the brain, your doctor will prescribe Catapres with caution. If you are taking Catapres and a beta blocker such as Inderal or Tenormin, and your doctor wants to stop your medication, the beta blocker should be stopped several days before the gradual withdrawal of Catapres. Catapres may cause drowsiness. The used Catapres-TTS patch still contains enough drug to be harmful to children and pets. Fold the patch in half with the adhesive sides together and dispose of it out of the reach of children. |
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Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor. |
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