What Is Catapres Ampoules Used For?

Catapres Ampoules contains clonidine hydrochloride and is specifically designed to treat high blood pressure in hospital or clinical settings where injectable medication is needed.

Primary Uses

Catapres Ampoules is used to lower high blood pressure, also called hypertension, when injectable treatment is required.

How It Works

Catapres works by relaxing and widening your blood vessels, which helps to lower your blood pressure effectively.

How to Take Catapres Ampoules

Catapres Ampoules must only be given by a doctor or nurse in a medical setting with proper monitoring equipment available.

Administration Instructions

The injection can be given into a muscle or as a slow injection into a vein. You must be lying down when receiving this medication. Your doctor will determine the appropriate dose for your condition.

Professional Administration Only

This medication requires professional administration and continuous monitoring in a clinical setting with appropriate emergency equipment readily available.

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

Important Warnings

There are several important conditions and situations where Catapres Ampoules should not be used or requires special caution.

Who Should Not Take Catapres Ampoules

Do not use if you are allergic to clonidine hydrochloride or any ingredients in the medication. Also avoid if you have certain heart problems such as irregular or slow heartbeat. This medication should not be given to children under 18 years of age.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have heart failure, heart or circulation problems, stroke or TIA, mental depression, diabetes, nerve damage causing weakness, constipation, phaeochromocytoma (rare adrenal gland tumor), or kidney problems.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

You should not receive this medicine if you are pregnant as it may affect your developing baby. Do not breastfeed if given this medicine, as the active ingredient passes into breast milk and may affect your baby.

Drug Interactions

Several medications can interfere with Catapres Ampoules and affect how it works, potentially requiring dose adjustments.

• 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

Both alcohol consumption and operating vehicles or machinery require special caution while using Catapres Ampoules.

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 you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how Catapres affects you, as it can cause drowsiness and dizziness.

Storage

Catapres Ampoules will be stored in the pharmacy or hospital ward below 30°C. Each ampoule can only be used once and any unused contents from opened ampoules must be discarded. Do not use after the expiry date or if packaging shows signs of damage or tampering.

Overdose Information

Since Catapres Ampoules are given under medical supervision, overdose is very unlikely. However, symptoms may include slow heartbeat, drowsiness, temporarily stopping breathing, coma, dizziness, weakness, lethargy, feeling cold, vomiting, looking pale, or irregular heartbeat. Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you experience any signs of overdose, or go to the nearest Emergency Department. You can also call the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26, New Zealand: 0800 764 766).

Frequently Asked Questions