Heart Health High Blood Pressure Treatment Catapres for Hypertension Treatment By Craig O. Weber, MD Craig O. Weber, MD Craig O. Weber, MD, is a board-certified occupational specialist who has practiced for over 36 years. Learn about our editorial process Updated on November 30, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Richard N. Fogoros, MD Medically reviewed by Richard N. Fogoros, MD Facebook LinkedIn Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified internal medicine physician and cardiologist. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Nick Blackmer Fact checked by Nick Blackmer LinkedIn Nick Blackmer is a librarian, fact-checker, and researcher with more than 20 years’ experience in consumer-oriented health and wellness content. Learn about our editorial process Print Though not used as much today as it was in the past, Catapres (clonidine) remains an important treatment option for some patients with mild to moderate hypertension, especially if they haven’t had good blood pressure control with other medicines. While many high blood pressure medicines have some side effects involving the kidneys—which may change blood flow to the kidney or affect how the kidney filters waste from the blood—Catapres does not. This makes it especially useful for treating people who have high blood pressure along with some kind of kidney disease. Zero Creatives / Getty Images How Catapres Works Catapres belongs to a class of drugs called centrally acting alpha agonists. These drugs work by stimulating special receptors in the brain called alpha receptors. This causes a change in the body’s hormone levels that leads to relaxation of the blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure. There is another class of anti-hypertension medicines called alpha blockers, but these drugs work on different types of alpha receptors in different locations within the body. Because clonidine can cause salt and water retention, it is usually given along with a diuretic. Other Drugs Like Catapres While Catapres is not the only drug of its kind, it is essentially the only one that patients are likely to encounter as a normal part of high blood pressure treatment. The only other drug in the same family as clonidine is methyldopa, which is a first-line treatment for pregnant people with hypertension. Catapres Side Effects The most important side effect of Catapres is the potential suppression of some of the body’s normal hormone systems. Because of this, it is important not to suddenly stop taking clonidine, even if you’ve only been using it for a few days. Catapres use must be tapered off, in a series of decreasing doses over a period of time, to allow the body’s normal hormone systems to power back up to normal levels. Generally, Catapres causes few problems for most patients, but some side effects can include: DrowsinessDry eyes or noseDry mouth (“cotton mouth”)Nausea“Rebound” hypertension when use is stopped suddenly A Note About Hypertension Treatment Only you and your healthcare provider can decide on a proper medication for treatment of high blood pressure. Be sure to notify your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and to supply the names of any other medicines and/or supplements you are taking. Remember to include over-the-counter medicines, like aspirin or Advil (ibuprofen), and herbal/natural supplements. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Looking to start a diet to better manage your high blood pressure? Our nutrition guide can help. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Mehta LS, Warnes CA, Bradley E, et al. Cardiovascular considerations in caring for pregnant patients: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2020;141(23):e884–e903. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000772 National Library of Medicine, DailyMed. Catapres- clonidine hydrochloride tablet [drug label]. Updated January 1, 2020.