What is Catapres TTS?
Catapres-TTS patches contain clonidine. Clonidine reduces blood pressure through a decrease in the level of certain chemicals. Your blood vessels will relax, and your heart will beat more easily.
The Catapres TTS skin patch is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Sometimes they are used in conjunction with other blood-pressure medications. This medication guide does not list all possible uses of Catapres-TTS.
Warnings
Please read all the instructions on the label or package of your medication. Informing your healthcare provider of all of your medical conditions, allergies and medicines taken will allow for effective management.
Before you take this drug
If you have an allergy to Clonidine, do not use Catapres.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Catapres-TTS will be safe for you:
- Heart disease or severe coronary arterial disease
- A heart rhythm disorder.
- History of stroke or heart attack
- Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal gland.
- Kidney disease
- If you've ever had a reaction to clonidine,
Catapres TTS is not known to harm an unborn child. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant while receiving treatment. Clonidine may pass into breast milk and harm nursing babies. You should tell your doctor if you're breastfeeding a child. Catapres TTS is not recommended for anyone under the age of 18.
Similar/related drugs
Amlodipine, lisinopril, metoprolol, losartan, furosemide, and hydrochlorothiazide
How to take Catapres TTS?
Do not exceed the dose prescribed by your physician. Use only the recommended dosage. Do not exceed it. Follow the instructions on your prescription label. Please read all the information provided, including medication guides and instructions sheets.
Before and after you apply a Catapres TTS skin patch, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Wash the area of skin where the patch has been applied. Rinse the area and dry it with a tissue.
The skin patch can be applied to any flat area that is hairless on your chest, upper arm, back, or side. Clip the hairs short, but don't shave them. Press the patch with your palm firmly to ensure it adheres, especially around its edges.
After 7 days, remove the Catapres TTS skin patch and replace it with another one. Each time you apply a new patch, choose a different area of your skin. Use a different area of skin every time you apply a new patch. Wear only one patch unless you have been told by your doctor to do so.
The Catapres TTS skin patches are available with "cover" patches. Cover patches are placed over Catapres TTS patches to ensure they adhere to the skin. The Catapres TTS patch is rectangular, and the cover patch is round. The cover patch contains no active medicine.
If the Catapres TTS patch becomes loose or falls out before it has been worn for seven days, you can use a cover. Cover the Catapres TTS patch with the cover patch. Both patches should be worn for the remaining 7 days.
Fold the skin patch in half with the sticky side facing out, then throw it away in a place where pets and children cannot reach it.
If you wear the Catapres-TTS patches during an MRI, your skin may be burned. Remove the patch prior to undergoing such tests.
Tell all healthcare providers that you use Catapres TTS. Your family members or carers must inform emergency medical personnel, if necessary, if you have a Catapres TTS skin patch. Before any electrical equipment is used (such as defibrillators), the patch must be removed.
You may experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking Catapres-TTS. You should ask your doctor about how to safely discontinue this medication.
Even if you feel well, take this medication exactly as prescribed. Even if the symptoms have subsided, continuing taking this medicine as directed could have serious repercussions in the form of adverse side effects and/or even life threatening disease.High blood pressure can often be symptomless. Blood pressure medications may be needed for the rest of your life. Store away from moisture or heat at room temperature. Each skin patch should be kept in its foil pouch until ready to use.
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as you recall, apply a skin-patching product.Whenever it is almost time for the next dose, skip any missed medication that was already due. You should not use extra patches in order to make up for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Reach out immediately if a poisonous substance comes your way; call the Poison Help line on 1-800-222-1222, or seek medical assistance immediately.
Overdose symptoms include high blood pressure (severe headaches, blurred visions, buzzing in the ears, anxiety and confusion, chest pains, shortness of breath), followed by low blood pressure (feeling faint, feeling lightheaded, feeling drowsy, feeling cold, slow heartbeat, shallow breathing, or pinpoint pupils).
What should be avoided?
Clonidine can impair your reactions or thinking. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that requires alertness.
Use lotions or oils on the area where you plan to apply the patch. The patch might not adhere properly to your skin. Alcohol consumption can have side effects when taken with this medication.
Side effects of Catapres-TTS
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of your lips, face, tongue, or throat.
If you experience:
- If you feel your heart pounding or your chest fluttering, then this is a sign that it's time to seek medical attention.
- An extremely low heartbeat (less than 60 beats per minute);
- Shortness of breath, swelling, and rapid weight gain (even when exercising lightly)
- Hallucinations;
- Fever, pale skin;
- Urination that is painful or difficult
- You may experience numbness in your fingers or toes.
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Severe skin irritation, such as swelling, blistering, or burning where the patch has been worn,
Catapres TTS side effects include:
- Headache, dizziness, and fatigue
- Feeling nervous
- Dry eyes and mouth
- Changes in your sense of taste
- Sexual problems
- Nausea, constipation,
- The patch may cause mild skin irritation or discoloration.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Reaching the FDA to report side effects is easy - simply call them on 1-800-FDA-1088!
Interaction with other drug
This medicine can worsen the effects of other drugs that lower blood pressure or make you sleepy. Before using Catapres TTS with sleeping pills, narcotic pain medicines, muscle relaxers, anxiety, depression, or seizure medications, ask your doctor. Clonidine may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, vitamins, and supplements. Inform your healthcare providers of all medications you are taking and those you plan to take.
