Catapres vs. Xanax

• Are Catapres and Xanax the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Catapres?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Xanax?
• What Is Catapres?
• What Is Xanax?
• What Drugs Interact with Catapres?
• What Drugs Interact with Xanax?
• How Should Catapres Be Taken?
• How Should Xanax Be Taken?

Catapres (clonidine hydrochloride) and Xanax (alprazolam) are used to treat anxiety.

Catapres is mainly used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Xanax is also used to treat panic attacks.

Catapres and Xanax belong to different drug classes. Catapres is a centrally acting alpha-agonist hypotensive agent and Xanax is a benzodiazepine.

Common side effects of Catapres include:

• dry mouth,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• irritability,
• tiredness,
• mood changes,
• sleep problems (insomnia or nightmares),
• headache,
• ear pain,
• fever,
• feeling hot,
• constipation,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain,
• increased thirst,
• loss of interest in sex,
• impotence,
• difficulty having an orgasm, or
• cold symptoms such as runny or stuffy nose,
• sneezing,
• cough, or
• sore throat.

Many side effects of Catapres may go away after several doses. Serious side effects of Catapres include hypotension, bradycardia, congestive heart failure, weakness, and edema.

Common side effects of Xanax include:

• Drowsiness
• Tiredness
• Dizziness
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Memory problems
• Poor balance or coordination
• Slurred speech
• Trouble concentrating
• Irritability
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Increased sweating
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Upset stomach
• Blurred vision
• Appetite or weight changes
• Swelling in your hands or feet
• Muscle weakness
• Dry mouth
• Stuffy nose
• Loss of interest in sex

Catapres (clonidine hydrochloride) is a centrally acting alpha-agonist hypotensive agent used to treat hypertension. Catapres is available as a generic named clonidine (tablets and patches).

Xanax (alprazolam) is indicated for the management of anxiety disorders and the short-term relief of symptoms of anxiety in adults. Xanax is also indicated for the treatment of panic disorder in adults with or without a fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness, or embarrassment (agoraphobia).

Catapres may interact with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, narcotics, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety, depression, or seizures), antidepressants, beta-blockers, digitalis, other products containing clonidine, or other drugs to treat high blood pressure or heart problems.

Catapres may also interact with digoxin or medicines to treat psychiatric disorders.

Do not take Xanax if you are allergic to alprazolam, other benzodiazepines, or any of the ingredients in Xanax. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in Xanax.

Catapres (clonidine hydrochloride, USP and TTS) is available in strengths of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg tablets and patches for transdermal administration (TTS form). No adequate, well-controlled studies have been conducted in pregnant or breastfeeding women; this drug may be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients has not been established although some pediatric physicians have used the drug to treat hypertensive children.

Take Xanax exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to take it. Your healthcare provider will tell you how much Xanax to take and when to take it. If you take too much Xanax, call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Xanax is a benzodiazepine medicine. Taking benzodiazepines with opioid medicines, alcohol, or other central nervous system depressants (including street drugs) can cause severe drowsiness, breathing problems (respiratory depression), coma and death.

Xanax can make you sleepy or dizzy, and can slow your thinking and motor skills.

Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how Xanax affects you.

Do not drink alcohol or take other drugs that may make you sleepy or dizzy while taking Xanax without first talking to your healthcare provider. When taken with alcohol or drugs that cause sleepiness or dizziness, Xanax may make your sleepiness or dizziness much worse.

Do not take more Xanax than prescribed.