Catapres vs. Kapvay

• Are Catapres and Kapvay the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Catapres?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Kapvay?
• What is Catapres?
• What is Kapvay?
• What Drugs Interact with Catapres?
• What Drugs Interact with Kapvay?
• How Should Catapres Be Taken?
• How Should Kapvay Be Taken?

CatapresandKapvayare both forms ofclonidinehydrochloride, a centrally acting alpha-agonist.

Catapres and Kapvay are used to treat different disorders. Catapres is used to treathigh blood pressure(hypertension) and Kapvay is and extended-release formula used to treatattention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).

Commonside effectsof Catapres include:

• dry mouth,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• 易怒,
• tiredness,
• mood changes,
• sleepproblems (insomniaor nightmares),
• headache,
• earpain,
• fever,
• feeling hot,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• stomachpain,
• increased thirst,
• loss of interestinsex,
• impotence,
• difficulty having anorgasm, or
• cold symptoms such as runny orstuffy nose,
• sneezing,
• cough, or
• sore throat.

Many side effects of Catapres may go away after several doses. Serious side effects of Catapres includehypotension,bradycardia,congestive heart failure, weakness, and水肿.

Common side effects of Kapvay include:

• drowsiness,
• headache,
• fatigue,
• upperrespiratorytractinfection,
• 易怒,
• anxiety,
• sorethroat,
• dizziness,
• insomnia,
• nightmares,
• 情绪障碍,
• constipation,
• 腹泻
• abdominal pain,
• nausea,
• nasalcongestion,
• asthma,
• increased bodytemperature,
• drymouth,
• thirst,
• tremor,
• ear pain,
• daytimeurinaryfrequency,
• bed wetting,
• aggression,
• 哭泣,
• slowheart rate,
• increasedheartrate, and
• decreased appetite.

Catapres (clonidine hydrochloride) is a centrally acting alpha-agonisthypotensiveagent used to treat hypertension. Catapres is available as agenericnamed clonidine (tablets and patches).

Kapvay (clonidine hydrochloride) extended-release is a centrally acting alpha2-adrenergic agonist used to treatattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder (ADHD). Kapvay is available in generic form.

Catapres may interact with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow yourbreathing(sleeping pills, narcotics,musclerelaxers, or medicines for anxiety,depression, or seizures),antidepressants, beta-blockers, digitalis, other products containing clonidine, or other drugs to treat highblood pressureor heart problems.

Catapres may also interact withdigoxinor medicines to treatpsychiatricdisorders.

Kapvay may interact with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, narcotics, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety, depression, or seizures), antidepressants, beta-blockers, digitalis, other products containing clonidine, or other drugs to treat highbloodpressure or heart problems.

Kapvay may also interact withalcoholorantihypertensivedrugs.

Suddenly stopping Kapvay may causewithdrawal symptomsincluding:

• increased blood pressure,
• headache,
• increased heart rate,
• lightheadedness,
• tightness in yourchest, and
• nervousness

Catapres (clonidine hydrochloride,USPand TTS) is available in strengths of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3mgtablets and patches for transdermal administration (TTS form). No adequate, well-controlled studies have been conducted inpregnantorbreastfeedingwomen; this drug may be used duringpregnancyonly if clearly needed. Safety and effectiveness inpediatricpatients has not been established although some pediatric physicians have used the drug to treathypertensivechildren.

The dose of Kapvay is individualized according to the needs and response of thepatient. Dosing is initiated with one 0.1 mgtabletat bedtime, and the daily dosage is adjusted in increments of 0.1 mg/day at weekly intervals until the desired response is achieved.