Compare Catapres vs. Kapvay

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Catapres (Clonidine)

Prescription only

Kapvay (clonidine)

Prescription only
Lowers blood pressure.

Catapres (Clonidine) is a good addition if you need more than one medicine to control your blood pressure, but it has a lot of side effects. You can't miss doses.

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3.2/ 5 average rating with 78 reviewsforCatapres
Treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Kapvay (clonidine) is one of the few medicines for ADHD that isn't a stimulant and not addictive, but it can lower your blood pressure.

Upsides
  • Can be added to other blood pressure-lowering medicines if you need additional blood pressure control.
  • Available in a weekly patch for people that aren't good at taking medicine by mouth.
  • Works in the brain, so it can help treat some nervous system and psychiatric conditions.
  • Under the brand name Kapvay, it's used to treat ADHD in children and teenagers.
  • Can be used alone or together with a stimulant-type medicine to treat ADHD.
  • Also treats blood pressure and some nervous system and psychiatric conditions.
  • Kapvay (clonidine) is available in generic.
Downsides
  • Has a lot of side effects compared to other blood pressure-lowering medicine because it works in the brain.
  • The pill form can make some people sleepy, dizzy, and have dry mouth.
  • You can't miss doses. Stopping Clonidine suddenly can cause your blood pressure to go up suddenly, which raises the risk of heart attack and stroke.
  • Kapvay (clonidine) is not a first choice medicine to treat ADHD.
  • Kapvay (clonidine) can make you feel very dizzy or cause low blood pressure.
  • Stopping Kapvay (clonidine) suddenly can cause your blood pressure to jump and your heart to beat very fast.
  • It can take up to two weeks of taking Kapvay (clonidine) to notice any changes in behavior.
  • Kapvay (clonidine) has to be swallowed whole, which can be hard for some children to do.
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Used for
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Patch
  • Extended release
Price
Lowest price
$4.00
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Lowest price
$30.94
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Reviews
78 reviews so far
42%
saidit'sworth it
33%
saiditworked well
35%
saidit'sa big hassle

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Side effects
17possible side effects
  • Erythema / pruritis
    26%
  • Dry mouth
    25%
  • Drowsiness
    12%
  • Localized vesiculation
    7%
  • Fatigue
    6%
  • Headache
    5%
  • Allergic contact sensitization
    5%
  • Hyperpigmentation
    5%
  • Lethargy
    3%
  • Sedation
    3%
  • Edema
    3%
  • Excoriation
    3%
  • Burning
    3%
  • Insomnia
    2%
  • Dizziness
    2%
  • Impotence/sexual dysfunction
    2%
  • Dry throat
    2%
See more detailed side effects
12possible side effects
  • Sleepiness
    19%
  • Fatigue
    14%
  • Headache
    7%
  • Upper abdominal pain
    7%
  • Decreased appetite 
    6%
  • Dizziness
    5%
  • Insomnia
    4%
  • Aggression
    2%
  • Mood changes
    2%
  • Emotional disorders
    2%
  • Irritability
    2%
  • Stuffy nose
    2%
See more detailed side effects
Risks and risk factors
  • Withdrawal
    • Sudden discontinuation of medicine
  • Driving impairment
    • Taking with alcohol
    • Taking other medicines that make you less alert
  • Low heart rate (bradycardia)
    • Age 65 years or older
    • Using other medicine(s) that slows the heart
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Low blood pressure and low heart rate
  • Sleepiness
    • Taking with alcohol
    • Taking other medicines that make you less alert
  • High blood pressure
    • Stopping Kapvay (clonidine) suddenly
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Catapres (Clonidine)
Learn more about Kapvay (clonidine)