Catapres® (clonidine hydrochloride, USP) tablets are indicated in the treatment of hypertension. CATAPRES tablets may be employed alone or concomitantly with other antihypertensive agents.

Adults •The dose of Catapres® (clonidine hydrochloride, USP) tablets must be adjusted according to the patient's individual blood pressure response. The following is a general guide to its administration. Initial Dose •0.1 mg tablet twice daily (morning and bedtime). Elderly patients may benefit from a lower initial dose. See package insert for complete information.

Most adverse effects are mild and tend to diminish with continued therapy. The most frequent (which appear to be dose-related) are dry mouth, occurring in about 40 of 100 patients; drowsiness, about 33 in 100; dizziness, about 16 in 100; constipation and sedation, each about 10 in 100. The following less frequent adverse experiences have also been reported in patients receiving CATAPRES tablets, but in many cases patients were receiving concomitant medication and a causal relationship has not been established. See package insert for complete information.

CATAPRES tablets should not be used in patients with known hypersensitivity to clonidine.

In patients who have developed localized contact sensitization to Catapres-TTS® (clonidine), continuation of Catapres-TTS or substitution of oral clonidine hydrochloride therapy may be associated with the development of a generalized skin rash. In patients who develop an allergic reaction to Catapres-TTS, substitution of oral clonidine hydrochloride may also elicit an allergic reaction (including generalized rash, urticaria, or angioedema). CATAPRES tablets should be used with caution in patients with severe coronary insufficiency, conduction disturbances, recent myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease, or chronic renal failure. See package insert for complete information.