Clonidine hydrochloride (
Catapres®,
Catapres-TTS®,
Duraclon®) is a prescription medicine commonly used to
treat high blood pressure. It comes in the form of tablets and skin patches. Another form of the medication can also be given by continuous epidural infusion (an "epidural") to treat 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. The directions for using each clonidine product may vary substantially, so be sure to follow the instructions for your particular product.
Before you start treatment, information on the drug should be reviewed with your healthcare provider to help minimize risks. It is important to know that taking too much of this product or stopping it too abruptly can lead to serious problems. You should talk to your healthcare before starting clonidine if you have an irregular heart rhythm, a bleeding disorder, kidney disease, or an upcoming surgery.
(Click Clonidine for more information on this medication, including how clonidine HCl works, dosing guidelines, and a list of potential side effects.)
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