clonidine

See also How to Use section. If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. Do not double the dose to catch up. Call your doctor immediately if you are late replacing a patch by 3 or more days.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Before using, remove the clear plastic backing to expose the sticky surface of the medicated patch. Apply the patch to a hairless area of the skin on the upper outer arm or chest every 7 days. Do not use on broken or irritated skin. After 7 days, remove the used patch and apply a new patch to a different area than the previous one to avoid skin irritation. If the medicated patch peels away from the skin, you may cover it with the large non-medicated adhesive overlay to keep it on for the full 7 days. Even after 7 days, the used patch still has some medication in it. To prevent an accidental overdose, after you remove a used patch, fold it in half with the sticky sides together and discard in the trash away from children and pets. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to replace the old patch with a new one on the same day every week, or use as directed by your doctor. It is important to continue using this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. Do not suddenly stop using this medication without consulting your doctor because your condition may become worse. A serious rapid increase in your blood pressure (rebound hypertension) may occur when this drug is suddenly stopped or if you miss replacing the patch for 3 or more days, especially if you have been using it for a long time, at higher doses, or with a beta-blocker medication. Therefore it is important that you do not run out of clonidine. There have been reports of rare, but very serious (possibly fatal) results, including stroke, from stopping this drug too quickly. If you must stop using this drug, your dose should be gradually decreased as directed by your doctor. When used for an extended period, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well (e.g., your routine blood pressure readings increase).

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: beta-blocker drugs (e.g., metoprolol, propranolol), cyclobenzaprine, other drugs which can slow the heart rate (e.g., digoxin, calcium channel blockers, guanethidine), MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, moclobemide, phenelzine, procarbazine, rasagiline, selegiline, isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine), tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline, desipramine). Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure. Many cough-and-cold products may also contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-anxiety drugs (e.g., diazepam), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine, phenobarbital), medicine for sleep (e.g., sedatives), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine), tranquilizers. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Do not share this medication with others. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Have your blood pressure and pulse checked regularly while using this medication. Discuss with your doctor how to monitor your own blood pressure and pulse.

See also How to Use section. If overdose is suspected, remove the patch. Contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include fainting, severe weakness, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, slowed breathing, seizures, coma.

Before using clonidine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. The patch should be removed before you have certain procedures (e.g., cardioversion, defibrillation) to correct heart conduction disorders. Consult your doctor for more information. If you are going to have an MRI test, notify testing personnel that you are using this patch. Serious burns may occur during MRI tests because of the aluminum contained in these patches. It should be removed just before the MRI test or consult your doctor for specific instructions. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, heart disease (e.g., severe coronary insufficiency, conduction disorders, recent heart attack), depression, blood circulation disorders (e.g., Raynaud's disease). Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. Contact lens wearers may need to use appropriate lubricating solutions if this medication causes dry eyes. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed (See How to Use section).

Dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, dry mouth, unusual tiredness, or headache may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water or use a saliva substitute. If you notice mild skin redness or itching around the patch area before finishing the full 7 days of use, remove the patch and replace it with a new one on a new skin site. These effects seem to occur more frequently in patients who use the overlay cover. If the symptoms persist or worsen into a rash, consult your doctor promptly for further instructions to see if you need to remove the patch. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, depression. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: severe or persistent rash, severe or persistent itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional. This drug may also be used for hot flashes that occur with menopause, for withdrawal symptoms from narcotic drugs, and to help people quit smoking.