Brand Names: Catapres, Kapvay, Nexiclon XR

Generic Name: clonidine (oral) (Pronunciation: KLOE ni deen)

• What is clonidine (Catapres)?
• What are the possible side effects of clonidine (Catapres)?
• What is the most important information I should know about clonidine (Catapres)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clonidine (Catapres)?
• How should I take clonidine (Catapres)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Catapres)?
• What happens if I overdose (Catapres)?
• What should I avoid while taking clonidine (Catapres)?
• What other drugs will affect clonidine (Catapres)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is clonidine (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.

Clonidine is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). The Kapvay brand of clonidine is used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Clonidine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Catapres 0.1 mg

oval, tan, imprinted with Bl6

Catapres 0.2 mg

oval, orange, imprinted with BI7

Catapres 0.3 mg

oval, peach, imprinted with BI11

Clonidine 0.1 mg-ESI

round, blue, imprinted with LL, C 42

Clonidine 0.1 mg-MUT

round, yellow, imprinted with MP 657

Clonidine 0.1 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN 152

Clonidine 0.1 mg-PUR

round, orange, imprinted with R, 127

Clonidine 0.2 mg-MUT

round, white, imprinted with MP 658

Clonidine 0.2 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN 186

Clonidine 0.2 mg-PUR

round, orange, imprinted with 128, R

Clonidine 0.3 mg-MUT

round, green, imprinted with MP 659

Clonidine 0.3 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN 199

What are the possible side effects of clonidine (Catapres)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• fast or pounding heartbeats, tremors;
• a very slow heart rate (fewer than 60 beats per minute);
• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
• swelling, rapid weight gain;
• confusion, hallucinations;
• flu symptoms;
• urination problems;
• feeling like you might pass out.

Less serious side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness;
• feeling tired or irritable;
• cold symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, cough, sore throat;
• mood changes;
• sleep problems (insomnia), nightmares;
• headache, ear pain;
• mild fever;
• feeling hot;
• constipation, diarrhea, pain in your upper stomach;
• dry mouth, increased thirst; or
• loss of interest in sex, impotence, difficulty having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the Catapres (clonidine) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about clonidine (Catapres)?

Before you take clonidine, 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 clonidine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Do not stop using clonidine suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using clonidine.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication 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.

Clonidine 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.