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Before using clonidine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• oral clonidine (tablets);

• digitalis (digoxin, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

• a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), betaxolol (Kerlone), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), esmolol (Brevibloc), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), or timolol (Blocadren);

• a calcium channel blocker such as amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan); or

• antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), amoxapine (Ascendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), protriptyline (Vivactil), or trimipramine (Surmontil).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use clonidine transdermal, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect clonidine transdermal. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• a very slow heart rate (fewer than 60 beats per minute);

• severe skin irritation, redness, swelling, burning, or blistering where the patch is worn; or

• feeling light-headed, fainting.

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• feeling dizzy, drowsy, tired, or nervous;

• headache;

• constipation;

• nausea, unusual taste in your mouth;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm;

• skin rash or irritation where the patch is worn; or

• dry mouth or throat.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.