CATAPRES (Clonidine)
Catapres Information
Also known as Clonidine, Catapres is a medicine that is meant to lower the patient’s blood pressure. It achieves its purpose as it decreases the levels in which certain chemicals are found in the patient’s blood. In this way, the veins and arteries are allowed to widen, enabling the heart to beat regularly.
Catapres Indications
Catapres is normally used in the treatment of hypertension (also known as high blood pressure). But Clonidine can also be used for other purposes that have not been mentioned here.
Catapres Warnings
This drug ought to be taken in on a regular basis. You should refrain from stopping your treatment without your personal physician’s consent because this may lead to some of the following medical conditions:
- Dangerously high blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Nervousness
A treatment with Catapres could induce drowsiness or dizziness therefore caution is needed if the patient has to operate complicated machinery or to perform dangerous activities.
During the patient’s treatment with Catapres he or she should refrain from taking in alcohol, pain relievers, antihistamines, sleeping pills or any other medicines without his or her doctor’s approval.
You might not be allowed to follow a treatment with Catapres if you are suffering from any of the next disorders:
- Heart disease (heart attack)
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
If you are suffering from any of the ailments that have been mentioned here you might be told by your doctor not to start a treatment with Catapres or he (or she) might want to adjust your dosage of the drug or to monitor your body’s reaction to the treatment.
Catapres is a Category C FDA pregnancy drug, meaning that it has not been established whether a treatment with it could harm pregnant women, nor is it known whether it can lead to unwanted birth defects. During the pregnancy’s third trimester a treatment with Catapres should be avoided. If you are pregnant or are planning to be so soon, you should consult with your doctor before starting a treatment with this drug. If you are breastfeeding an infant you should not start taking this medicine without consulting it with your physician.
Lower dosages are usually needed for patients over 60.
Catapres Intake Guidelines
Follow the instructions that your doctor has given you regarding your treatment with Catapres. If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, a pharmacist or a nurse.
You should accompany each and every dose of Catapres that you take with a glass of water. It is recommended that you take the drug before bed time. Do not stop your treatment with Catapres without your doctor’s consent.
Catapres Dosage
Ask your doctor to calculate the dose of Catapres that suits you best. The correct dosage varies from one person to another, as it depends on a couple of factors.
Catapres Overdose
Overdose of Catapres usually leads to the next symptoms:
- Drowsiness
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Slower heart rate
- Lightheadedness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Seizures
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed here, you are in need of medical attention (inform your doctor immediately).
Catapres Missed Dose
Catapres should be taken in or on a regular basis. If you are following a treatment with Catapres, try not to miss any of your doses. If you happen to miss one take it as soon as possible and continue with your regular schedule. You should not take in a double dose of this drug unless you are instructed by your physician to do so.
Catapres Side Effects
Taking Catapres may result in some of these side effects:
- Difficulty while breathing
- Throat closing
- Hives
- Swelling of the tongue, face or lips
- Slow hear rate (lower than 60 beats / minute)
- Abnormal low or high blood pressure (headache, fainting, redness of the neck, face and chest, sometimes dizziness)
If you are experiencing these side effects stop your treatment and inform your physician.
Catapres can also induce other side effects (more common and less serious) such as:
- Abnormal fatigue, tiredness or dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Constipation, vomiting and nausea
- Dry mouth
- Insomnia
These mild side effects shouldn’t stop you from continuing with your treatment. However, you should inform your doctor at once.
Other side effects may also occur when you take Catapres. Inform your physician immediately if you experience anything unusual while taking this drug.
Catapres Drug Reactions
Catapres is known to cause drowsiness. Taking in alcohol, antidepressants, sedatives, antihistamines, pain relievers, drugs for anxiety or muscle relaxants could increase this side effect of Catapres. Avoid taking them during your treatment with Catapres.
Catapres may interact with some of these drugs so it is best that you avoid taking them during your treatment with this drug:
- Beta blockers
- Prazosin
- Levodopa
- Tricyclic antidepressant
- Verapamil
There are other drugs which may also interact with Catapres. Inform your physician if you are taking any other drugs except Catapres.
Buy Catapres
In some countries CATAPRES may also be known as: Clonidine, Barclyd, Dispaclonidin, Edolglau, Haemiton, Mirfat, Paracefan, Normopresan, Clonidural, Catapresan, Isoglaucon, Dixarit, Atensina, Clonesina, Neo Clodil, Aruclonin, Clonistada, Clonid-Ophtal, Isoglaucon, Paracefan, Aruclonin, Arkamin, Clonnirit, Isoglaucon, Epiclodina, Iporel, Edolglau, Haemiton, Duraclon, Menograine, Lowpres, Naclodin, Velaril
