Patient/caregiver was educated on how to take Catapres as follows:
- Take the medication at the same time every day, to avoid forgetting the medication.
- Maintain strict compliance with intake of the medication as ordered, with regards to dosage and frequency, to derive the benefit of the medication.
- Do not change the dose on this medication without consulting your doctor.
- Take a blood pressure reading always before you take the pill. Maintain a log of every day blood pressure readings, for an easy follow-up of the response to the medication intake.
- If the blood pressure is too low, you can defer taking the medication for that dose. Notify your doctor regarding the same. Notify your doctor, if more of such occurrences are happening, so that, your medication dose could be revised.
- If the blood pressure gets too low with Catapres use, it can result in some dizziness and make one drowsy. If the dizziness with Catapres becomes bothersome, report it to your physician and other health care personnel, for any change in the dose or plan of care to be considered.
- Take the Catapres immediate-release tablet as a whole, using a glass of water and do not cut or crush the tablet. If you are prescribed Catapres as an extended-release tablet, do not cut or crush the tablet. Cutting or crushing the extended-release tablet can result in rapid absorption of the drug into the blood stream, thus resulting in toxicity. Swallow the extended-release tablet as a whole, using a glass of water.
- Catapres could also be prescribed as an extended-release oral liquid/suspension. Do not forgot to shake the suspension bottle well, before you measure and draw the recommended dose of medication, for administration through the mouth. Exercise caution while measuring the dose, to prevent the risk for over/under dosing.
- For individuals with swallowing difficulties and unpleasant nausea and vomiting sensations with oral medication intake, Catapres could also be administered as a transdermal patch.
- This medication can induce some nausea and vomiting, when taken on empty stomach. Taking the medication with a glass of water and some food or snack can help avoid these unpleasant gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Also, do not take Catapres with alcohol or opioid pain medications, such as, hydrocodone and codeine, as these products can add to the dizziness and confusion caused by Catapres. A number of OTC cough medications, antihistamines, antiseizure medications, muscle relaxants, and antianxiety medications, can potentiate the dizziness and confusion caused by Catapres, thus resulting in many cross reactions and side-effects and so, must be avoided taking along with Catapres.
- Catapres takes some time to fairly control the elevated blood pressure and reduce the work load on the heart. Do not discontinue taking the medication without consulting your physician, as you failed to see the desired result immediately after taking the medication.
- Continue taking Catapres as ordered, even if your symptoms are under control. Abrupt discontinuation on Catapres intake can result in precipitating the hypertensive episodes back again. Poorly controlled blood pressure can lead to increased workload on the heart, thus contributing to debility and progression to heart failure. Sudden discontinuing on Catapres can also result in extremely elevated blood pressure and stroke. Discontinuing the medication should only be on your physician’s recommendation.
- Your physician could change the dose of Catapres, based on the response obtained and side-effects developed. Maintain compliance with follow-up physician appointments and be accommodative to the plan of dose changes, until you show an optimum response with regards to blood pressure control.
- If you miss a dose, try taking it at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the dose scheduled. Do not take an extra dose to try making up for the missed dose. Notify your doctor and other health care personnel regarding your dose noncompliance.
