Catapres vs. Kapvay

• Are Catapres and Kapvay the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Catapres?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Kapvay?
• What is Catapres?
• What is Kapvay?
• What Drugs Interact with Catapres?
• What Drugs Interact with Kapvay?
• How Should Catapres Be Taken?
• How Should Kapvay Be Taken?

Catapres and Kapvay are both forms of clonidine hydrochloride, a centrally acting alpha-agonist.

Catapres and Kapvay are used to treat different disorders. Catapres is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and Kapvay is and extended-release formula used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Common side effects of Catapres include:

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

Many side effects of Catapres may go away after several doses. Serious side effects of Catapres include hypotension, bradycardia, congestive heart failure, weakness, and edema.

Common side effects of Kapvay include:

• drowsiness,
• headache,
• fatigue,
• upper respiratory tract infection,
• irritability,
• anxiety,
• sore throat,
• dizziness,
• insomnia,
• nightmares,
• emotional disorder,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• abdominal pain,
• nausea,
• nasal congestion,
• asthma,
• increased body temperature,
• dry mouth,
• thirst,
• tremor,
• ear pain,
• daytime urinary frequency,
• bed wetting,
• aggression,
• tearfulness,
• slow heart rate,
• increased heart rate, and
• decreased appetite.

Catapres (clonidine hydrochloride) is a centrally acting alpha-agonist hypotensive agent used to treat hypertension. Catapres is available as a generic named clonidine (tablets and patches).

Kapvay (clonidine hydrochloride) extended-release is a centrally acting alpha2-adrenergic agonist used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Kapvay is available in generic form.

Catapres may interact with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, narcotics, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety, depression, or seizures), antidepressants, beta-blockers, digitalis, other products containing clonidine, or other drugs to treat high blood pressure or heart problems.

Catapres may also interact with digoxin or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Kapvay may interact with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, narcotics, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety, depression, or seizures), antidepressants, beta-blockers, digitalis, other products containing clonidine, or other drugs to treat high blood pressure or heart problems.

Kapvay may also interact with alcohol or antihypertensive drugs.

Suddenly stopping Kapvay may cause withdrawal symptoms including:

• increased blood pressure,
• headache,
• increased heart rate,
• lightheadedness,
• tightness in your chest, and
• nervousness

Catapres (clonidine hydrochloride, USP and TTS) is available in strengths of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg tablets and patches for transdermal administration (TTS form). No adequate, well-controlled studies have been conducted in pregnant or breastfeeding women; this drug may be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients has not been established although some pediatric physicians have used the drug to treat hypertensive children.

The dose of Kapvay is individualized according to the needs and response of the patient. Dosing is initiated with one 0.1 mg tablet at bedtime, and the daily dosage is adjusted in increments of 0.1 mg/day at weekly intervals until the desired response is achieved.