Brand Name: Catapres-TTS
Generic Name: Clonidine
Catapres-TTS (Clonidine) is an antihypertensive medication used in treatment of Hypertension and as a tranquilizer, drug withdrawal symptoms,
Tourette's and ADHD. Detailed info on uses, dosage and side-effects of Catapres-TTS below.
Contents:
Description
Pharmacology
Indications and Usage
Contraindications
Warnings
Precautions
Drug Interactions
Adverse Reactions
Overdose
Dosage
Supplied
CATAPRES-TTS ® (clonidine) is a transdermal system providing continuous
systemic delivery of clonidine for 7 days at an approximately constant rate.
Clonidine is a centrally acting alpha-agonist hypotensive agent. It is an
imidazoline derivative with the chemical name 2,
6-dichloro-N-2-imidazolidinylidenebenzenamine and has the following chemical
structure:

System Structure and Components
CATAPRES-TTS is a multi-layered film, 0.2 mm thick, containing clonidine as
the active agent.
The system areas are 3.5 cm 2 (CATAPRES-TTS-1), 7.0 cm 2
(CATAPRES-TTS-2) and 10.5 cm 2 (CATAPRES-TTS-3) and the amount of drug released
is directly proportional to the area (See Release Rate Concept below). The
composition per unit area is the same for all three doses.
Proceeding from the visible surface towards the surface attached to the skin,
there are four consecutive layers: 1) a backing layer of pigmented polyester
film; 2) a drug reservoir of clonidine, mineral oil, polyisobutylene, and
colloidal silicon dioxide; 3) a microporous polypropylene membrane that controls
the rate of delivery of clonidine from the system to the skin surface; 4) an
adhesive formulation of clonidine, mineral oil, polyisobutylene, and colloidal
silicon dioxide. Prior to use, a protective slit release liner of polyester that
covers the adhesive layer is removed.
Cross Section of the System:

Release Rate Concept
CATAPRES-TTS is programmed to release clonidine at an approximately constant
rate for 7 days. The energy for drug release is derived from the concentration
gradient existing between a saturated solution of drug in the system and the
much lower concentration prevailing in the skin. Clonidine flows in the
direction of the lower concentration at a constant rate, limited by the
rate-controlling membrane, so long as a saturated solution is maintained in the
drug reservoir.
Following system application to intact skin, clonidine in the adhesive layer
saturates the skin site below the system. Clonidine from the drug reservoir then
begins to flow through the rate-controlling membrane and the adhesive layer of
the system into the systemic circulation via the capillaries beneath the skin.
Therapeutic plasma clonidine levels are achieved 2 to 3 days after initial
application of CATAPRES-TTS.
The 3.5, 7.0, and 10.5 cm 2 systems deliver 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 mg
of clonidine per day, respectively. To ensure constant release of drug for 7
days, the total drug content of the system is higher than the total amount of
drug delivered. Application of a new system to a fresh skin site at weekly
intervals continuously maintains therapeutic plasma concentrations of clonidine.
If the CATAPRES-TTS is removed and not replaced with a new system, therapeutic
plasma clonidine levels will persist for about 8 hours and then decline slowly
over several days. Over this time period, blood pressure returns gradually to
pretreatment levels.
Clonidine stimulates alpha-adrenoreceptors in the brain stem. This action
results in reduced sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system and in
decreases in peripheral resistance, renal vascular resistance, heart rate, and
blood pressure. Renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate remain
essentially unchanged. Normal postural reflexes are intact; therefore,
orthostatic symptoms are mild and infrequent.
Acute studies with clonidine hydrochloride in humans have demonstrated a
moderate reduction (15%-20%) of cardiac output in the supine position with no
change in the peripheral resistance; at a 45° tilt there is a smaller reduction
in cardiac output and a decrease of peripheral resistance.
During long-term therapy, cardiac output tends to return to control values,
while peripheral resistance remains decreased. Slowing of the pulse rate has
been observed in most patients given clonidine, but the drug does not alter
normal hemodynamic responses to exercise.
Tolerance to the antihypertensive effect may develop in some patients,
necessitating a reevaluation of therapy.
Other studies in patients have provided evidence of a reduction in plasma
renin activity and in the excretion of aldosterone and catecholamines. The exact
relationship of these pharmacologic actions to the antihypertensive effect of
clonidine has not been fully elucidated.
Clonidine acutely stimulates the release of growth hormone in children as
well as adults but does not produce a chronic elevation of growth hormone with
long-term use.
Pharmacokinetics
The plasma half-life of clonidine is 12.7 ± 7 hours. Following oral
administration, about 40-60% of the absorbed dose is recovered in the urine as
unchanged drug within 24 hours. The remainder of the absorbed dose is
metabolized in the liver.
CATAPRES-TTS (clonidine) is indicated in the treatment of hypertension.
It may be employed alone or concomitantly with other antihypertensive
agents.
CATAPRES-TTS (clonidine) should not be used in patients with known
hypersensitivity to clonidine or to any other component of the therapeutic
system.
Withdrawal
Patients should be instructed not to discontinue therapy without consulting
their physician. Sudden cessation of clonidine treatment has, in come cases,
resulted in symptoms such as nervousness, agitation, headache, and confusion
accompanied or followed by a rapid rise in blood pressure and elevated
catecholamine concentrations in the plasma. The likelihood of such reactions to
discontinuation of clonidine therapy appears to be greater after administration
of higher doses or continuation of concomitant beta-blocker treatment and
special caution is therefore advised in these situations. Rare instances of
hypertensive encephalopathy, cerebrovascular accidents and death have been
reported after clonidine withdrawal. When discontinuing therapy with CATAPRES,
the physician should reduce the dose gradually over 2 to 4 days to avoid
withdrawal symptomatology.
An excessive rise in blood pressure following discontinuation of CATAPRES-TTS
therapy can be reversed by administration of oral clonidine hydrochloride or by
intravenous phentolamine. If therapy is to be discontinued in patients receiving
a beta-blocker and clonidine concurrently, the beta-blocker should be withdrawn
several days before the gradual discontinuation of CATAPRES-TTS.
General
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 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-TTS should be used with caution in patients with severe coronary
insufficiency, conduction disturbances, recent myocardial infarction,
cerebrovascular disease, or chronic renal failure.
In rare instances, loss of blood pressure control has been reported in
patients using CATAPRES-TTS according to the instructions for use.
Perioperative Use
CATAPRES-TTS therapy should not be interrupted during the surgical period.
Blood pressure should be carefully monitored during surgery and additional
measures to control blood pressure should be available if required. Physicians
considering starting CATAPRES-TTS therapy during the perioperative period must
be aware that therapeutic plasma clonidine levels are not achieved until 2 to 3
days after initial application of CATAPRES-TTS (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ).
Defibrillation or Cardioversion
The transdermal clonidine systems should be removed before attempting
defibrillation or cardioversion because of the potential for altered electrical
conductivity which may increase the risk of arcing, a phenomenon associated with
the use of defibrillators.
Information for Patients
Patients should be cautioned against interruption of CATAPRES-TTS therapy
without their physician's advice.
Patients who engage in potentially hazardous activities, such as operating
machinery or driving, should be advised of a possible sedative effect of
clonidine. They should also be informed that this sedative effect may be
increased by concomitant use of alcohol, barbiturates, or other sedating drugs.
Patients should be instructed to consult their physicians promptly about the
possible need to remove the patch if they observe moderate to severe localized
erythema and/or vesicle formation at the site of application or generalized skin
rash.
If a patient experiences isolated, mild localized skin irritation before
completing 7 days of use, the system may be removed and replaced with a new
system applied to a fresh skin site.
If the system should begin to loosen from the skin after application, the
patient should be instructed to place the adhesive overlay directly over the
system to ensure adhesion during its 7-day use.
Used CATAPRES-TTS patches contain a substantial amount of their initial drug
content which may be harmful to infants and children if accidentally applied or
ingested. THEREFORE, PATIENTS SHOULD BE CAUTIONED TO KEEP BOTH USED AND UNUSED
CATAPRES-TTS PATCHES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. After use, CATAPRES-TTS
should be folded in half with the adhesive sides together and discarded away
from children's reach.
Instructions for use, storage and disposal of the system are provided at the
end of this monograph. These instructions are also included in each box of
CATAPRES-TTS.
Drug Interactions
Clonidine may potentiate the CNS-depressive effects of alcohol, barbiturates
or other sedating drugs. If a patient receiving clonidine is also taking
tricyclic antidepressants, the hypotensive effect of clonidine may be reduced,
necessitating an increase in the clonidine dose.
Due to a potential for additive effects such as bradycardia and AV block,
caution is warranted in patients receiving clonidine concomitantly with agents
known to affect sinus node function or AV nodal conduction e.g., digitalis,
calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers.
Amitriptyline in combination with clonidine enhances the manifestation of
corneal lesions in rats. (See TOXICOLOGY .)
Toxicology
In several studies with oral clonidine hydrochloride, a dose-dependent
increase in the incidence and severity of spontaneous retinal degeneration was
seen in albino rats treated for six months or longer. Tissue distribution
studies in dogs and monkeys showed a concentration of clonidine in the choroid.
In view of the retinal degeneration seen in rats, eye examinations were
performed during clinical trials in 908 patients before, and periodically after,
the start of clonidine therapy. In 353 of these 908 patients, the eye
examinations were carried out over periods of 24 months or longer. Except for
some dryness of the eyes, no drug-related abnormal ophthalmological findings
were recorded and, according to specialized tests such as electroretinography
and macular dazzle, retinal function was unchanged.
In combination with amitriptyline, clonidine hydrochloride administration led
to the development of corneal lesions in rats within 5 days.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Chronic dietary administration of clonidine was not carcinogenic to rats (132
weeks) or mice (78 weeks) dosed, respectively, at up to 46 to 70 times the
maximum recommended daily human dose as mg/kg (9 or 6 times the MRDHD on a mg/m
2 basis). There was no evidence of genotoxicity in the Ames test for
mutagenicity or mouse micronucleus test for clastogenicity.
Fertility of male and female rats was unaffected by clonidine doses as high
as 150 mcg/kg (approximately 3 times the MRDHD). In a separate experiment,
fertility of female rats appeared to be affected at dose levels of 500 to 2000
mcg/kg (10 to 40 times the oral MRDHD on a mg/kg basis; 2 to 8 times the MRDHD
on a mg/m 2 basis).
Pregnancy
TERATOGENIC EFFECTS Pregnancy Category C
Reproduction studies performed in rabbits at doses up to approximately 3
times the oral maximum recommended daily human dose (MRDHD) of CATAPRES (clonidine
hydrochloride) produced no evidence of a teratogenic or embryotoxic potential in
rabbits. In rats, however, doses as low as 1/3 the oral MRDHD (1/15 the MRDHD on
a mg/m 2 basis) of clonidine were associated with increased resorptions in a
study in which dams were treated continuously from 2 months prior to mating.
Increased resorptions were not associated with treatment at the same or at
higher dose levels (up to 3 times the oral MRDHD) when the dams were treated on
gestation days 6-15. Increases in resorption were observed at much higher dose
levels (40 times the oral MRDHD on mg/kg basis; 4 to 8 times the MRDHD on a mg/m
2 basis) in mice and rats treated on gestation days 1-14 (lowest dose employed
in the study was 500 mcg/kg).
No adequate well-controlled studies have been conducted in pregnant women.
Because animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response,
this drug should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Nursing Mothers
As clonidine is excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when
CATAPRES-TTS is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use
Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients below the age of twelve have
not been established (See Warnings on Withdrawal ).
Clinical trial experience with CATAPRES-TTS
Most systemic adverse effects during CATAPRES-TTS therapy have been mild and
have tended to diminish with continued therapy. In a 3-month multiclinic trial
of CATAPRES-TTS in 101 hypertensive patients, the systemic adverse reactions
were, dry mouth (25 patients) and drowsiness (12), fatigue (6), headache (5),
lethargy and sedation (3 each), insomnia, dizziness, impotence/sexual
dysfunction, dry throat (2 each) and constipation, nausea, change in taste and
nervousness (1 each).
In the above mentioned 3-month controlled clinical trial, as well as other
uncontrolled clinical trials, the most frequent adverse reactions were
dermatological and are described below.
In the 3-month trial, 51 of the 101 patients had localized skin reactions
such as erythema (26 patients) and/or pruritus, particularly after using an
adhesive overlay throughout the 7-day dosage interval. Allergic contact
sensitization to CATAPRES-TTS was observed in 5 patients. Other skin reactions
were localized vesiculation (7 patients), hyperpigmentation (5), edema (3),
excoriation (3), burning (3), papules (1), throbbing (1), blanching (1), and a
generalized macular rash (1).
In additional clinical experience, contact dermatitis resulting in treatment
discontinuation was observed in 128 of 673 patients (about 19 in 100) after a
mean duration of treatment of 37 weeks. The incidence of contact dermatitis was
about 34 in 100 among white women, about 18 in 100 in white men, about 14 in 100
in black women, and approximately 8 in 100 in black men. Analysis of skin
reaction data showed that the risk of having to discontinue CATAPRES-TTS
treatment because of contact dermatitis was greatest between treatment weeks 6
and 26, although sensitivity may develop either earlier or later in treatment.
In a large-scale clinical applicability and safety study by 451 physicians in
a total of 3539 patients, other allergic reactions were recorded for which a
causal relationship to CATAPRES-TTS was not established: maculopapular rash (10
cases); urticaria (2 cases); and angioedema of the face (2 cases), which also
affected the tongue in one of the patients.
Marketing Experience with CATAPRES-TTS
Other adverse effects reported since the drug has been marketed are listed
below by body system. In this setting, an incidence or causal relationship
cannot always be accurately determined. However, none of the events listed below
occurred in a frequency greater than 0.5%.
Body as a Whole
Fever; malaise; weakness; pallor; and withdrawal syndrome.
Cardiovascular
Congestive heart failure; cerebrovascular accident; electrocardiographic
abnormalities (i.e., bradycardia, sick sinus syndrome disturbances and
arrhythmias); chest pain; orthostatic symptoms; syncope, increases in blood
pressure; sinus bradycardia and atrioventricular block with and without the use
of concomitant digitalis; Raynaud's phenomenon; tachycardia; bradycardia; and
palpitations.
Central and Peripheral Nervous System/Psychiatric
Delirium; mental depression; visual and auditory hallucinations; localized
numbness; vivid dreams or nightmares; restlessness; anxiety; agitation;
irritability; other behavioral changes; and drowsiness.
Dermatological
Angioneurotic edema; localized or generalized rash; hives; urticaria; contact
dermatitis; pruritus; alopecia; and localized hypo or hyper pigmentation.
Gastrointestinal
Anorexia and vomiting.
Genitourinary
Difficult micturition; loss of libido; and decreased sexual activity.
Metabolic
Gynecomastia or breast enlargement and weight gain.
Musculoskeletal
Muscle or joint pain; and leg cramps.
Ophthalmological
Blurred vision; burning of the eyes and dryness of the eyes.
Adverse Events Associated with Oral CATAPRES Therapy:
Most adverse events 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 (clonidine hydrochloride USP), but in many cases patients were
receiving concomitant medication and a causal relationship has not been
established.
Body as a Whole
Weakness, about 10 in 100 patients; fatigue, about 4 in 100; headache and
withdrawal syndrome each about 1 in 100. Also reported were pallor; a weakly
positive Coombs' test; increased sensitivity to alcohol; and fever.
Cardiovascular
Orthostatic symptoms, about 3 in 100 patients; palpitations and tachycardia, and
bradycardia, each about 5 in 1000. Syncope, Raynaud's phenomenon, congestive
heart failure, and electrocardiographic abnormalities (i.e., sinus node arrest,
functional bradycardia, high degree AV block and arrhythmias) have been reported
rarely. Rare cases of sinus bradycardia and AV block have been reported, both
with and without the use of concomitant digitalis.
Central Nervous System
Nervousness and agitation, about 3 in 100 patients, mental depression, about 1
in 100 and insomnia, about 5 in 1000. Other behavioral changes, vivid dreams or
nightmares, restlessness, anxiety, visual and auditory hallucinations and
delirium have rarely been reported.
Dermatological
Rash, about 1 in 100 patients; pruritus, about 7 in 1000; hives, angioneurotic
edema and urticaria, about 5 in 1000; alopecia, about 2 in 1000.
Gastrointestinal
Nausea and vomiting, about 5 in 100 patients; anorexia and malaise, each about 1
in 100; mild transient abnormalities in liver function tests, about 1 in 100;
hepatitis, parotitis, constipation, pseudo-obstruction, and abdominal pain,
rarely.
Genitourinary
Decreased sexual activity, impotence and loss of libido, about 3 in 100
patients; nocturia, about 1 in 100; difficulty in micturition, about 2 in 1000;
urinary retention, about 1 in 1000.
Hematologic
Thrombocytopenia, rarely.
Metabolic
Weight gain, about 1 in 100 patients; gynecomastia, about 1 in 1000; transient
elevation of blood glucose or serum creatine phosphokinase, rarely.
Musculoskeletal
Muscle or joint pain, about 6 in 1000 and leg cramps, about 3 in 1000.
Oro-otolaryngeal
Dryness of the nasal mucosa was rarely reported.
Ophthalmological
Dryness of the eyes, burning of the eyes and blurred vision were reported.
Hypertension may develop early and may be followed by hypotension,
bradycardia, respiratory depression, hypothermia, drowsiness, decreased or
absent reflexes, weakness, irritability and miosis. The frequency of CNS
depression may be higher in children than adults. Large overdoses may result in
reversible cardiac conduction defects or dysrhythmias, apnea, coma and seizures.
Signs and symptoms of overdose generally occur within 30 minutes to two hours
after exposure. As little as 0.1 mg of clonidine has produced signs of toxicity
in children.
If symptoms of poisoning occur following dermal exposure, remove all CATAPRES-TTS
systems. After their removal, the plasma clonidine levels will persist for about
8 hours, then decline slowly over a period of several days. Rare cases of
CATAPRES-TTS poisoning due to accidental or deliberate mouthing or ingestion of
the patch have been reported, many of them involving children.
There is no specific antidote for clonidine overdosage. Ipecac syrup-induced
vomiting and gastric lavage would not be expected to remove significant amounts
of clonidine following dermal exposure. If the patch is ingested, whole bowel
irrigation may be considered and the administration of activated charcoal and/or
cathartic may be beneficial. Supportive care may include atropine sulfate for
bradycardia, intravenous fluids and/or vasopressor agents for hypotension and
vasodilators for hypertension. Naloxone may be a useful adjunct for the
management of clonidine-induced respiratory depression, hypotension and/or coma;
blood pressure should be monitored since the administration of naloxone has
occasionally resulted in paradoxical hypertension. Tolazoline administration has
yielded inconsistent results and is not recommended as first-line therapy.
Dialysis is not likely to significantly enhance the elimination of clonidine.
The largest overdose reported to date, involved a 28-year old male who
ingested 100 mg of clonidine hydrochloride powder. This patient developed
hypertension followed by hypotension, bradycardia, apnea, hallucinations,
semicoma, and premature ventricular contractions. The patient fully recovered
after intensive treatment. Plasma clonidine levels were 60 ng/mL after 1 hour,
190 ng/mL after 1.5 hours, 370 ng/mL after 2 hours, and 120 ng/mL after 5.5 and
6.5 hours. In mice and rats, the oral LD 50 of clonidine is 206 and 465 mg/kg,
respectively.
Dosage and Administration
Apply CATAPRES-TTS (clonidine) once every 7 days to a hairless area of intact
skin on the upper outer arm or chest. Each new application of CATAPRES-TTS
should be on a different skin site from the previous location. If the system
loosens during 7-day wearing, the adhesive overlay should be applied directly
over the system to ensure good adhesion. There have been rare reports of the
need for patch changes prior to 7 days to maintain blood pressure control.
To initiate therapy, CATAPRES-TTS dosage should be titrated according to
individual therapeutic requirements, starting with CATAPRES-TTS-1. If after one
or two weeks the desired reduction in blood pressure is not achieved, increase
the dosage by adding another CATAPRES-TTS-1 or changing to a larger system. An
increase in dosage above two CATAPRES-TTS-3 is usually not associated with
additional efficacy.
When substituting CATAPRES-TTS for oral clonidine or for other
antihypertensive drugs, physicians should be aware that the antihypertensive
effect of CATAPRES-TTS may not commence until 2-3 days after initial
application. Therefore, gradual reduction of prior drug dosage is advised. Some
or all previous antihypertensive treatment may have to be continued,
particularly in patients with more severe forms of hypertension.
Renal Impairment
Dosage must be adjusted according to the degree of impairment, and patients
should be carefully monitored. Since only a minimal amount of clonidine is
removed during routine hemodialysis, there is no need to give supplemental
clonidine following dialysis.
How Supplied
CATAPRES-TTS-1 (clonidine) and CATAPRES-TTS-2 are supplied as 4 pouched
systems and 4 adhesive overlays per carton, 3 cartons per shipper (NDC
0597-0031-12 and 0597-0032-12, respectively). CATAPRES-TTS-3 is supplied as 4
pouched systems and 4 adhesive overlays per carton (NDC 0597-0033-34). See chart
below.
|
Programmed Delivery
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clonidine in vivo
Per Day Over 1 Week
|
|
|
Clonidine
Content |
Size |
Code |
|
Catapres-TTS ® -1
|
(clonidine) |
0.1 mg |
2.5 mg |
3.5 cm 2 |
BI-31 |
|
Catapres-TTS ® -2
|
(clonidine) |
0.2 mg |
5.0 mg |
7.0 cm 2 |
BI-32 |
|
Catapres-TTS ® -3
|
(clonidine) |
0.3 mg |
7.5 mg |
10.5 cm 2 |
BI-33 |
STORAGE AND HANDLING Store below 86° F (30° C).
Rx only
Manufactured by:
ALZA Corporation,
Mountain View, California 94043 USA
Distributed by:
Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Ridgefield, CT 06877 USA
PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS
Catapres-TTS (clonidine) Transdermal Therapeutic System
Catapres-TTS (clonidine)
(Read the following instructions carefully before using this medication. If
you have any questions, please consult with your doctor.)
General Information
CATAPRES-TTS is a square, tan adhesive PATCH containing an active
blood-pressure- lowering medication. It is designed to deliver the drug into the
body through the skin smoothly and consistently for one full week. Normal
exposure to water, as in showering, bathing, and swimming, should not affect the
PATCH.
The optional white, round ADHESIVE COVER should be applied directly over the
PATCH, should the PATCH begin to separate from the skin. The ADHESIVE COVER
ensures that the PATCH sticks to the skin. The CATAPRES-TTS PATCH must be
replaced with a new one on a fresh skin site if the one in use significantly
loosens or falls off.
How to Apply the CATAPRES-TTS PATCH
1) Apply the square, tan CATAPRES-TTS PATCH once a week, preferably at a
convenient time on the same day of the week (i.e., prior to bedtime on Tuesday
of week one; prior to bedtime on Tuesday of week two, etc.).
2) Select a hairless area such as on the upper, outer arm or upper chest. The
area chosen should be free of cuts, abrasions, irritation, scars or calluses and
should not be shaved before applying the CATAPRES-TTS PATCH. Do not place the
CATAPRES-TTS PATCH on skin folds or under tight undergarments, since pre-mature
loosening may occur.
3) Wash hands with soap and water and thoroughly dry them.
4) Clean the area chosen with soap and water. Rinse and wipe dry with a
clean, dry tissue.
5) Select the pouch with the red and orange col- ors labeled CATAPRES-TTS (clonidine)
and open it. Remove the square, tan PATCH from the pouch.
6) Remove the clear plastic protective backing from the PATCH by gently
peeling off one half of the backing at a time. Avoid touching the sticky side of
the CATAPRES-TTS® PATCH. .
7) Place the CATAPRES-TTS PATCH on the prepared skin site (sticky side down)
by applying firm pressure over the PATCH to ensure good contact with the skin,
especially around the edges (Figure 5). Discard the clear plastic protective
backing and wash your hands with soap and water to remove any drug from your
hands.
8) After one week, remove the old PATCH and discard it (refer to Instructions
for Disposal). After choosing a different skin site, repeat instructions 2
through 7 for the application of your next CATAPRES-TTS PATCH.
What to do if your Catapres-TTS PATCH becomes loose while wearing:
How to Apply the ADHESIVE COVER
Note: The white, round, ADHESIVE COVER does not contain any drug and should
not be used alone. The COVER should be applied directly over the CATAPRES-TTS
PATCH only if the PATCH begins to separate from the skin, thereby ensuring that
it sticks to the skin for seven full days.
1) Wash hands with soap and water and thoroughly dry them.
2) Using a clean, dry tissue, make sure that the area around the square, tan
CATAPRES-TTS PATCH is clean and dry. Press gently on the CATAPRES-TTS PATCH to
ensure that the edges are in good contact with the skin.
3) Take the white, round, ADHESIVE COVER (Figure 6) from the plain white
pouch and remove the paper liner backing from the COVER.
4) Carefully center the round, white ADHESIVE COVER over the square, tan
CATAPRES-TTS PATCH and apply firm pressure, especially around the edges in
contact with the skin.
Instructions for Disposal
KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
During or even after use, a PATCH contains active medication which may be
harmful to infants and children if accidentally applied or ingested. After use,
fold in half with the sticky sides together. Dispose of carefully out of reach
of children.
Manufactured by: ALZA Corporation,
Mountain View, CA 94043 USA
Distributed by: Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.,
Ridgefield, CT 06877 USA
Licensed from: Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
© Copyright Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH 2004,
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Revised August 2004 4044415/US/4 4044415//04
Catapres-TTS patient
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