Clonidine hydrochloride (
Catapres®,
Catapres-TTS®,
Duraclon®) is a medication approved for treating several different conditions. It is available by prescription only and comes in the form of tablets, skin patches, and an epidural. The tablets (Catapres) and patches (Catapres-TTS) are used to
treat high blood pressure, while Duraclon is given by continuous epidural infusion to treat severe pain in people with cancer.
Before you start taking this drug, information on the safety of clonidine hydrochloride should be discussed with your healthcare provider. You should let him or her know if you have any other medical conditions (such as kidney disease,
heart disease, or a bleeding disorder) before starting treatment, as clonidine may not be suitable for everyone. It is also important to be aware of the potential side effects of this medicine. Potential side effects include fatigue, dry mouth, and skin irritation.
(Click Clonidine for more information, including details on how this drug works, dosing guidelines, and other potential side effects.)
