Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Catapres as follows:
General allergic reactions
- Catapres use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
- Some patients can present with symptoms of severe allergic and anaphylactic response, such as, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
Cardiovascular side-effects
- Catapres, as a drug that is used to lower the blood pressure, carries risk of lowering the blood pressure significantly and leading to hypotension. Hypotension can lead to episodes of confusion and dizziness, thus increasing the risk for fall and accidents.
- Catapres use may also result in lowering the heart rate, resulting in bradycardia. The lowered heart rate can also contribute towards lowering of blood pressure by Catapres.
