Generic Catapres

The generic equivalent to Catapres is clonidine, both of which are commonly used to treat hypertension. Despite the fact that the American Food and Drug Administration has yet to approve Catapres for the use of relieving withdrawal symptoms related to alcohol dependency, it is often used for this purpose as well. It has been used in the withdrawal of methadone or opiate dependency, as a smoking cessation drug, in the treatment of diabetic diarrhea, to help reduce menopausal flushing, to treat the symptoms of Tourette syndrome, in the treatment of ulcerative colitis, postherpetic neuralgia, and in the diagnostic process of pheochromocytoma.

Catapres work by reducing the chemicals in the blood which are responsible for the tightening of blood vessels. This allows the blood vessels to relax and widen which in turn allows the heart to pump the appropriate amount of blood through the body with greater ease. Patients with a medical history of heart disease, liver disease, kidney disease, stroke, or heart attack are likely to not tolerate Catapres very well and may require a lower dosage. Some patients may need chronic monitoring to maintain an acceptable level of health while taking Catapres, depending on the condition as well as the severity of the condition. Prescribing physicians should never prescribe Catapres without a thorough medical assessment and history.

The American Food and Drug Administration granted Catapres a post evaluation pregnancy risk rating category C. It has not been determined whether or not Catapres will cause harm or birth defects to an unborn baby. It has not been determined if Catapres will cause harm to a nursing baby. Women who are pregnant or nursing, or who have a high likelihood of becoming pregnant during treatment should not take Catapres.

Overdosing on Catapres can lead to serious health complications such as weakness, drowsiness, lethargy, apathy, the feeling of being lightheaded, reduction in heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and seizures or convulsions. Patients can avoid overdosing by taking only the prescribed amount of medication. Missing a dose may happen occasionally, and patients who miss a dose should take the dose when it is remembered. Taking a double dose to make up for a missed dose or for any other reason is likely to lead to an overdose. If the missed dose is remembered too closely to the following dose, the missed dose should be skipped, as taking doses too closely together can also lead to an overdose.

Some patients may experience serious side effects while taking Catapres. Serious side effects might include symptoms such as unusually high blood pressure, unusually low blood pressure, very slow heart rate, usually under 60 beats per minute, or an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions often include symptoms such as hives, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, face, or throat. These side effects require medical treatment without delay.

Less serious side effects are much more common and may include symptoms which include dizziness, fatigue, tiredness, headaches, insomnia, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and dry mouth. Less serious side effects do not require emergency medical attention as the serious side effects. Less serious side effects should be reported to the prescribing physician to help determine the correct dosage for the individual patient.

Other medications may affect a patient adversely if taken together with Catapres. Patients should be advised of potential hazards of mixing medications and should be urged to inquire with a health care professional before taking any new medications whether they are prescription, over the counter, herbal, or supplemental. Medications with known interactions with Catapres include beta blockers, levodopa, tricyclic antidepressants, prazosin, and verapamil. Medications that are known to cause drowsiness as well as alcoholic beverages may cause serious drowsiness when used with Catapres. Patients should be urged to avoid such things.