Catapres 100 Tablets (Clonidine Hydrochloride)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Catapres 100 Tablets Used For?
Catapres contains clonidine hydrochloride, a medication that helps manage several health conditions by affecting blood vessels and circulation.
Primary Uses
Catapres is primarily used to lower high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also prescribed to prevent migraine headaches and to relieve symptoms of menopausal flushing.
How It Works
Catapres works by relaxing and widening blood vessels, which helps to lower your blood pressure and improve circulation.
Good to know: Catapres helps control your condition but does not cure it. It’s important to keep taking your medicine even if you feel well.
How to Take Catapres 100 Tablets
Your doctor will determine the right dose for you based on your condition and other medications you may be taking. Always follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
Dosage Instructions
For high blood pressure: The usual starting dose is 50 micrograms (half a tablet), taken 2-3 times daily. Your doctor may gradually increase this by half-tablet increments based on your response. For migraine and menopausal flushing: The usual starting dose is 25 micrograms twice daily, which may be increased to 50 micrograms twice daily, or up to a total daily dose of 150 micrograms if needed. Swallow tablets with a full glass of water at about the same time each day.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never stop taking Catapres suddenly or reduce the dose without consulting your doctor. If stopping is necessary, your doctor will gradually reduce the dose over a week or more to prevent a sudden increase in blood pressure.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Light-headedness when standing up suddenly
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and vomiting
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Slow or irregular heartbeat
- Mental depression
- Abnormal liver function
- Cases of hepatitis
Important Warnings
Before taking Catapres, it’s crucial to discuss your medical history and current health status with your doctor to ensure this medication is safe for you.
Who Should Not Take Catapres 100 Tablets
Do not take Catapres if you are allergic to clonidine hydrochloride or any other ingredients in the tablets. Also avoid if you have galactose intolerance (a rare hereditary condition) or certain heart problems such as irregular or slow heartbeat.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have or have had: heart failure or heart/circulation problems, stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), mental depression, diabetes, nerve damage causing weakness in arms and legs, constipation, phaeochromocytoma (rare adrenal gland tumor), or kidney problems.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not take Catapres if you are pregnant, as it may affect your developing baby. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine, as the active ingredient passes into breast milk and may affect your baby. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking Catapres.
Children and Adolescents: Do not give Catapres to children under 18 years. Serious side effects have been observed when clonidine is used with methylphenidate in children with ADHD.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Catapres and affect how it works. Always inform your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
- Other medicines for high blood pressure
- Medicines for heart problems
- Alcohol
- Medicines used to control mood swings and some types of depression
- Medicines used to relieve pain, swelling or other symptoms of inflammation
Alcohol & Driving
Catapres can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol, so special precautions are needed.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may affect how well your medicine works, and you may need different amounts of your medicine or different medicines altogether.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Catapres affects you. This medication may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you feel light-headed, dizzy, or faint, get up slowly when getting out of bed or standing up. This problem usually goes away after the first few days as your body adjusts.
Storage
Keep tablets in the blister strip until it’s time to take them, as this protects the tablets. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C. Keep away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Store in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground, away from children. Do not use after the expiry date or if packaging is damaged.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Catapres, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Signs of overdose may include slow heartbeat, drowsiness, temporarily stopping breathing, coma, dizziness, weakness, lethargy, feeling cold, vomiting, looking pale, or having an irregular heartbeat. Even if you have no symptoms, contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication begins working to lower blood pressure once you start taking it regularly, but it may take some time to see the full effect. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure to ensure the medication is working effectively.
The medication should be swallowed with a full glass of water. The source doesn’t specify whether it should be taken with or without food, so follow your doctor’s instructions.
Never stop taking Catapres suddenly or reduce the dose without consulting your doctor. If stopping is necessary, your doctor will gradually reduce the dose over a week or more to prevent a sudden dangerous increase in blood pressure.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may affect how well your medicine works, and you may need different amounts of your medicine or different medicines altogether.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Be careful before driving until you know how Catapres affects you. The medication may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you feel light-headed, dizzy, or faint, avoid driving and get up slowly when standing.
Yes, always remind any doctor, dentist, or pharmacist you visit that you’re taking Catapres. If you’re having surgery, tell the surgeon or anesthetist as it may affect other medicines used during surgery.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.