The prescription medication clonidine (
Catapres®,
Catapres-TTS®,
Duraclon®) is used for treating several different conditions. The tablet and skin patch form of this drug is licensed to
treat high blood pressure, while the epidural form is approved to be used in combination with opiates for treating severe pain in people with cancer.
Clonidine patches are usually applied to the skin once every seven days. The tablets are taken by mouth, usually twice daily. Clonidine epidural infusion is given continuously. Since the specific directions for using each clonidine product may vary substantially, be sure to follow the instructions for your particular product.
Clonidine is a type of alpha-2 adrenergic agonist that works to decrease
blood pressure by stimulating alpha-2 receptors in the brain stem and possibly by decreasing certain substances (such as renin or aldosterone) in the body. Although it can help
lower blood pressure levels, the medication is not a cure for
high blood pressure. When used in an epidural to treat pain, clonidine works by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain.
(Click Clonidine for a list of the potential side effects of the medicine, several warnings and precautions, and more detailed dosing guidelines.)
