Clonidine (Absorbed through the skin)

Introduction

Clonidine (KLOE-ni-deen)

Treats high blood pressure. May be used alone or together with other medicines. Belongs to a class of drugs called antihypertensives.

Brand Name(s)

Catapres-TTS-1, Catapres-TTS-2, Catapres TTS-3, 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.
• The patch should be left 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.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying a patch.
• 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 showering, bathing, or swimming. If the patch loosens, cover it with an extra adhesive overlay that is provided in the box.
• This medicine comes with patient instructions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

If a dose is missed:

• 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.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine

• 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.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

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

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using other blood pressure medicines (such as atenolol, diltiazem, metoprolol, nifedipine, verapamil, Cardizem®, Calan®, Inderal®, Isoptin®, Lotrel®, Norvasc®, Tenormin®, or Verelan®), digitalis, or medicines to treat depression (such as amitriptyline, doxepin, nortriptyline, Elavil®, Pamelor®, or Sinequan®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows 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. Make sure you remove the patch before having a procedure called a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to prevent skin burns at the patch site.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• You may have some skin redness, a rash, itching, or blistering at the place where you wear the patch. If this irritation is severe or does not go away, call your doctor. Do not remove the patch unless your doctor tells you to.
• Do not interrupt or stop using this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. Your blood pressure may become worse when the medicine is stopped suddenly, which can cause serious side effects.
• This medicine may cause dryness of the eyes. If you wear contact lenses, this may be a problem for you. Talk to your doctor if you wear contact lenses, and discuss how to treat the dryness.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.

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
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash.
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, or fainting.
• Skin rash, swelling, or redness where the patch is worn.
• Unusual tiredness or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Change in taste.
• Dry eyes, mouth, or throat.
• Headache.
• Nausea, vomiting, or constipation.
• Nervousness.
• Problems having sex.
• Trouble sleeping.

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