Catapres-TTS Patches are used for treating high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Catapres-TTS Patches are an alpha agonist. It works by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing heart rate, which lowers blood pressure.

Most important: Catapres-TTS Patches may cause drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Catapres-TTS Patches with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

Catapres-TTS Patches may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.

Talk to your doctor before using alcohol or medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you use Catapres-TTS Patches; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.

If you experience mild skin irritation at the application site before completing 7 days of use, you may remove the patch and apply a new patch to a different site unless directed otherwise by your doctor.

Contact your doctor at once if moderate to severe redness or blisters occur at the application site.

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Catapres-TTS Patches before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

Skin burns have occurred at the patch site during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). If you will be having an MRI, ask your doctor if you should remove your patch during the procedure.

Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel “normal.” Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.

If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Catapres-TTS Patches may cause harm if it is swallowed. If you may have taken it by mouth, contact your poison control center or emergency room right away.

If you experience dry mouth, use sugarless candy or gum, or melt bits of ice in your mouth.

Patients who wear contact lenses may notice dry eyes while using Catapres-TTS Patches. If you experience eye dryness or irritation, talk with your doctor about ways to lessen this effect.

Do not suddenly stop using Catapres-TTS Patches without checking with your doctor. Nervousness, agitation, confusion, tremor, and headache may occur. These may be followed by a rapid, severe rise in blood pressure. You may be at greater risk if you use high doses or if you also take a beta-blocker (eg, propranolol). If you need to stop using Catapres-TTS Patches, follow your doctor’s instructions for slowly decreasing your dose.

Lab tests, including blood pressure, may be performed while you use Catapres-TTS Patches. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Use Catapres-TTS Patches with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness.

Catapres-TTS Patches should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN younger than 12 years old; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.

PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Catapres-TTS Patches while you are pregnant. Catapres-TTS Patches are found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Catapres-TTS Patches, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

If you suddenly stop taking Catapres-TTS Patches, you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms including nervousness, agitation, headache, tremor, and rapid increase in blood pressure. Do not suddenly stop taking Catapres-TTS Patches without checking with your doctor.