Catapres Side Effects

Generic name: clonidine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 16, 2023.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Catapres Side Effects associated with clonidine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Catapres.

Applies to clonidine: transdermal patch extended release.

Other dosage forms:

• oral tablet, oral tablet extended release
• epidural solution

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

Further information

Catapres side effects can vary depending on the individual. 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.

Medical Disclaimer