Pros & Cons
Clonidine (Catapres) Pros and Cons
- Clonidine can be used alone or with other medications to control blood pressure.
- The immediate-release tablet and transdermal patch are available as lower-cost generic versions.
- You only need to apply a clonidine patch once a week.
- Stopping clonidine too suddenly can lead to a dangerous increase in blood pressure and other withdrawal effects.
- Clonidine can cause orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure) when arising from a sitting or standing position. It can also cause dizziness and drowsiness, especially if you drink alcohol.
- This medicine may not be the best choice for older adults (age 65 years and older).
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