Catapres Side Effects
Generic name: clonidine
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 31, 2024.
Note: This document contains side effect information about clonidine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Catapres.
Applies to clonidine: transdermal patch extended release. Other dosage forms:
Serious side effects of Catapres
Along with its needed effects, clonidine (the active ingredient contained in Catapres) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking clonidine:
More common
- Itching or redness of the skin
Incidence not known
- Blistering, burning, crusting, dryness, or flaking of the skin
- blurred vision
- chest pain or discomfort
- darkening of the skin
- decreased urine output
- dilated neck veins
- dizziness
- extreme fatigue
- fainting
- fast, slow, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
- fever
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- inability to speak
- irregular breathing
- itching, scaling, severe redness, soreness, or swelling of the skin
- large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
- lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
- seizures
- severe or sudden headache
- shortness of breath
- slurred speech
- swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- temporary blindness
- tightness in the chest
- tingling or pain in the fingers or toes when exposed to cold
- troubled breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- weakness in the arm or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
- weight gain
- wheezing
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking clonidine:
Symptoms of overdose
- Bluish lips or skin
- change in consciousness
- clumsiness
- confusion
- constricted, pinpoint, or small pupils (black part of the eye)
- depression
- difficult or troubled breathing
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- drowsiness
- headache
- irregular, fast or slow, or shallow breathing
- irritability
- lack of coordination
- loss of consciousness
- low body temperature
- muscle aches or weakness
- nervousness
- not breathing
- pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
- pounding in the ears
- shivering
- sleepiness
- sweating
- weak or feeble pulse
Other side effects of Catapres
Some side effects of clonidine may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.
Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
- Anxiety
- burning or dryness of the eyes
- confusion as to time, place, or person
- decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- dry mouth
- hair loss
- hives or welts
- holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
- hyperventilation
- inability to have or keep an erection
- itching skin
- leg cramps
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- loss of appetite
- muscle or joint pain
- raised red swellings on the skin, lips, tongue, or in the throat
- redness of the skin
- restlessness
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- shaking
- skin rash
- swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
- thinning of the hair
- trouble sleeping
- unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
- vivid dreams or nightmares
- weight loss
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to clonidine: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral suspension extended release, oral tablet, oral tablet extended release, transdermal film extended release.
Cardiovascular
Very common (10% or more): Hypotension (45%), orthostatic hypotension (32%)
Common (1% to 10%): Chest pain, tachycardia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sinus bradycardia, Raynaud's phenomenon, palpitations
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Atrioventricular block, palpitations, bradycardia, syncope, congestive heart failure, electrocardiographic abnormalities (i.e., sinus node arrest, high degree AV block), cerebrovascular accident
Frequency not reported: Bradyarrhythmia, hypertension, rebound hypertension[Ref]
Dermatologic
Very common (10% or more): Contact dermatitis with the patch formulation (19%)
Common (1% to 10%): Sweating
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus, rash (localized or generalized), urticaria, erythema
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Alopecia, excoriation, burning
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Papules, throbbing, blanching, generalized macular rash, facial/tongue angioedema
Frequency not reported: Hives, localized hypo or hyper pigmentation[Ref]
Endocrine
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Gynecomastia[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Very common (10% or more): Dry mouth (40%), upper abdominal pain (15%), nausea (13%), vomiting (10%)
Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, parotid gland pain
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Colonic pseudo-obstruction
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Parotitis[Ref]
Genitourinary
Common (1% to 10%): Erectile dysfunction
Frequency not reported: Micturition difficulty, loss of libido, decreased sexual activity, nocturia, urinary retention[Ref]
General
Most adverse effects are mild and diminish with continued therapy. The most frequent (which appear to be dose-related) are dry mouth (40%), drowsiness (33%), dizziness (16%), constipation (10%), and sedation (10%).[Ref]
Hematologic
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Peripheral blood flow disturbance, thrombocytopenia[Ref]
Hepatic
Frequency not reported: Mild transient abnormalities of liver function tests, hepatitis[Ref]
Metabolic
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Blood glucose increased, serum creatine phosphokinase increased
Frequency not reported: Weight gain, anorexia[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Frequency not reported: Muscle pain, joint pain, leg cramps[Ref]
Nervous system
Very common (10% or more): Drowsiness (33%), dizziness (16%), somnolence (13%), sedation (10%)
Common (1% to 10%): Headache
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Paresthesia
Frequency not reported: Headache, localized numbness[Ref]
Ocular
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Lacrimation decreased (dry eyes)
Frequency not reported: Accommodation disorder, ocular burning, vision blurred[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Fatigue, tinnitus
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Malaise
Frequency not reported: Fever, pallor, weakness, positive Coombs' test, increased sensitivity to alcohol[Ref]
Psychiatric
Very common (10% or more): Confusion (13%)
Common (1% to 10%): Depression, tearfulness, sleep disorder, hallucinations (both visual and auditory), nervousness, agitation
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%):
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Delusional perception, nightmare
Frequency not reported: Libido decreased, restlessness, anxiety, irritability, behavior changes[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Hypoventilation
Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Nasal dryness[Ref]
More about Catapres (clonidine)
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- During pregnancy
- Drug class: antiadrenergic agents, centrally acting
- Breastfeeding
Patient resources
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Related treatment guides
References
1. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.
3. Product Information. CloNIDine Hydrochloride (clonidine). Unichem Pharmaceuticals Inc. 2016.
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.