Manufacturer: Cadila, India
Pharmaceutical name: Pack: 1 tab (1 tab 0.15 mg)
Catapres (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.
Catapres is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). The Kapvay brand of clonidine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Before you take Catapres, tell your doctor if you have heart disease or severe coronary artery disease, a heart rhythm disorder, slow heartbeats, low blood pressure, a history of heart attack or stroke, kidney disease, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a clonidine transdermal skin patch (Catapres TTS).
Do not take two forms of clonidine at the same time.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Catapres. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Do not stop using Catapres suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Catapres.
When you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using Catapres 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.
Catapres may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather.
Before taking Catapres:
You should not take Catapres if you are allergic to clonidine.
To make sure you can safely take Catapres, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
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heart disease or severe coronary artery disease;
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heart rhythm disorder, slow heartbeats;
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low blood pressure;
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a history of heart attack or stroke;
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kidney disease; or
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if you have ever had an allergic reaction to a clonidine transdermal skin patch (Catapres TTS).
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known if Catapres 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 take Catapres without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
