Health Library

Clonidine (Absorbed through the skin)

Clonidine (KLOE-ni-deen)

Treats high blood pressure. This medicine is an antihypertensive.

Brand Name(s):

Catapres-TTS-1, Catapres-TTS-2, Catapres-TTS-3

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Patch

• Your doctor will tell you how many patches to use, where to apply them, and how often to apply them. Do not use more patches or apply them more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Leave the patch on your skin for 7 days. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Do not remove the patch without your doctor's approval. Even if you feel fine, your blood pressure can still be high.
• Leave the patch in its sealed wrapper until you are ready to put it on. Tear the wrapper open carefully. NEVER CUT the wrapper or the patch with scissors. Do not use any patch that has been cut by accident.
• The patient instructions will show the body areas where you can wear the patch. When putting on each new patch, choose a different place within these areas. Do not put the new patch on the same place you wore the last one. Be sure to remove the old patch before applying a new one.
• Apply the patch to clean, dry skin that has very little hair or no hair. Do not put the patch over burns, cuts, or irritated skin.
• Put on a new patch if the old one has fallen off and cannot be reapplied.
• Leave the patch in place even when you shower, bathe, or swim. If the patch loosens, cover it with an extra adhesive that is provided in the box.
• Read and follow the patient instructions that come with this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
• Missed dose: If you forget to wear or change a patch, put one on as soon as you can. If it is almost time to put on your next patch, wait until then to apply a new patch and skip the one you missed. Do not apply extra patches to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the patches at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Fold the used patch in half with the sticky sides together. Throw any used patch away so that children or pets cannot get to it. You will also need to throw away old patches after the expiration date has passed.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how clonidine works. Tell your doctor if you are taking digoxin, other blood pressure medicine, or medicine to treat depression or a mental illness.
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have kidney disease, heart or blood vessel disease, heart rhythm problems, or a history of heart attack or stroke.
• This medicine contains aluminum. Before you have an MRI, remove the patch. Aluminum can cause skin burns at the patch site during an MRI.
• This medicine may make you drowsy, dizzy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• Even if you feel well, do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor. This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it will help keep it in the normal range. You may have to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
• This medicine may cause dry eye, especially if you wear contact lenses. Ask your doctor how to treat the dryness.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Fast, slow, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, or fainting
• Skin rash, blistering, swelling, or redness where the patch is worn
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024