Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology Student: _________________________ Section:___________

PHARMACOLOGY

DRUG STUDY

Brand Name: Catapres Generic Name: Clonidine Drug Classification: Antihypertensive

Dosage, Route & Frequency Drug-Drug & Drug-Food Side Effects Adverse Reactions
Drug Action Indications Contraindications
Recommended Prescribed Interactions (By System) (By System)

Route: Clonidine is Clonidine may potentiate the CATAPRES tablets are Hypersensitivity. Body as a Whole: Fatigue, Dry mouth, drowsiness,
an imidazoline derivate CNS-depressive effects of indicated in the treatment Disorders of cardiac fever, headache, pallor, dizziness, headache,
Transdermal Patch and centrally-acting alcohol, barbiturates or other of hypertension. CATAPRES pacemaker activity weakness, and withdrawal constipation, impotence,
Oral alpha-adrenergic sedating drugs. If a patient tablets may be employed alone and conduction. syndrome. Also reported vivid dreams, urinary
Epidural Injection agonist, with receiving clonidine or concomitantly with Pregnancy and were a weakly positive retention; dry, itching,
antihypertensive activity. hydrochloride is also other antihypertensive agents. lactation. Coombs' test and increased burning sensation in the
Dosage: taking tricyclic sensitivity to alcohol. eye; fluid or electrolyte
Clonidine binds to and antidepressants, Hypertension, used alone or as imbalance, GI upset,
0.1mg, stimulates central alpha- the hypotensive effect of part of combination therapy Cardiovascular: Bradycardia, paralytic ileus, orthostatic
0.2mg, and 2 adrenergic receptors, clonidine may be reduced, Treatment of severe pain in congestive heart failure, hypotension, weakness,
0.3mg thereby reducing the necessitating an increase in cancer patients in combination electrocardiographic sedation, pruritus,
amount the clonidine dose. If a with opiates; epidural more abnormalities (i.e., sinus myalgia, urticaria,
of norepinephrine (NE) patient receiving clonidine is effective with neuropathic pain node arrest, junctional nausea, insomnia,
release and thus also taking neuroleptics, (Duraclon) bradycardia, high degree AV arrhythmias, agitation.
decreasing sympathetic orthostatic regulation block and arrhythmias), Reduced GI motility at
outflow to the heart, disturbances Unlabeled uses: Tourette’s orthostatic times may cause
kidneys, and peripheral (e.g., orthostatic syndrome; migraine, decreases symptoms, palpitations, Ray paralytic ileus.
vasculature. The hypotension, dizziness, severity and frequency; naud's
reduction in sympathetic fatigue) may be induced or menopausal flushing, decreases phenomenon, syncope,
outflow leads to exacerbated. severity and frequency of and tachycardia. Cases
decreased peripheral episodes; chronic methadone of sinus
vascular resistance, Monitor heart rate in patients detoxification; rapid opiate bradycardia and atrioventricu
decreased blood receiving clonidine detoxification (in doses up to 17 lar block have been reported,
pressure, and concomitantly with agents mcg/kg/day); alcohol and both with and without the use
decreased heart rate. In known to benzodiazepine withdrawal of concomitant digitalis.
addition, clonidine binds affect sinus node function or treatment; management of
to imidazoline receptor AV nodal conduction, e.g., hypertensive “urgencies”; (oral Central Nervous
subtype 1 (I1), which digitalis, calcium channel clonidine “loading” is used; initial System: Agitation,
may also contribute to a blockers and beta-blockers. dose of 0.2 mg then 0.1 mg anxiety, delirium, delusional
reduction in blood Sinus bradycardia resulting every hour until a dose of 0.7 perception, hallucinations
pressure. in hospitalization mg is reached or until BP is (including visual and
and pacemaker insertion has controlled) auditory), insomnia, mental
been reported in association depression, nervousness,
with the use of clonidine other behavioral
concomitantly with diltiazem
or verapamil.
Amitryptyline in combination
with clonidine enhances the
manifestation of corneal
lesions in rats
changes, paresthesia,
restlessness, sleep disorder,
and vivid dreams or
nightmares.
Dermatological: Alopecia,
angioneurotic edema,
hives, pruritus, rash,
and urticaria.
Gastrointestinal: Abdominal
pain, anorexia,
constipation, hepatitis, malai
se, mild transient
abnormalities in liver function
tests, nausea, parotitis,
pseudo-obstruction
(including colonic pseudo-
obstruction), salivary
gland pain, and vomiting.
Genitourinary: Decreased
sexual activity, difficulty
in micturition, erectile
dysfunction, loss
of libido, nocturia, and
urinary retention.
Hematologic: Thrombocytop
enia.
Metabolic: Gynecomastia,
transient elevation of blood
glucose or
serum creatine phosphokina
se, and weight gain.
Musculoskeletal: Leg cramps
and muscle or joint pain.
Oro-otolaryngeal: Dryness of
the nasal mucosa.
Ophthalmological: Accommo
dation disorder, blurred
vision, burning of the eyes,
decreased lacrimation, and
dryness of eyes.
 Responsibilities in the Nursing Process (ADPIE)
Assessment
 History: Hypersensitivity to clonidine or adhesive layer components of the transdermal
system; severe coronary insufficiency, recent MI, cerebrovascular disease; chronic renal
failure; lactation, pregnancy
 Physical: Body weight; T; skin color, lesions, T; mucous membranes color, lesions; breast
examination; orientation, affect, reflexes; ophthalmologic examination; P, BP, orthostatic
BP, perfusion, edema, auscultation; bowel sounds, normal output, liver evaluation,
palpation of salivary glands; normal urinary output, voiding pattern; LFTs, ECG
Responsibilities in the Nursing Process (ADPIE)
Interventions
 WARNING: Do not discontinue abruptly; discontinue therapy by reducing the dosage gradually over 2–4 days to
avoid rebound hypertension, tachycardia, flushing, nausea, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias (hypertensive
encephalopathy and death have occurred after abrupt cessation of clonidine).
 Do not discontinue transdermal therapy prior to surgery; monitor BP carefully during surgery; have other BP-
controlling drugs readily available.
 Continue oral clonidine therapy within 4 hr of surgery then resume as soon as possible thereafter.
 Store epidural injection at room temperature; discard any unused portions.
 Reevaluate therapy if clonidine tolerance occurs; giving concomitant diuretic increases the antihypertensive
efficacy of clonidine.
 Monitor BP carefully when discontinuing clonidine; hypertension usually returns within 48 hr.
 WARNING: Remove transdermal patch before defibrillation to prevent arcing.
 Assess compliance with drug regimen in a supportive manner with pill counts, or other methods.