Kapvay Information and Uses

Kapvay

Kapvay Overview

Kapvay (generic: clonidine) is a prescription medication used to treat Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It can be used alone or in combination with other medications. Kapvay belongs to a group of drugs called alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists. The way it works for treating ADHD is unknown.

This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken twice daily, with or without food. Swallow Kapvay tablets whole.

Common side effects of Kapvay include drowsiness, tiredness, and colds.

Uses of Kapvay

Kapvay is a prescription medicine used for the treatment of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Your doctor may prescribe Kapvay alone or together with certain other ADHD medicines.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Kapvay

Kapvay may cause serious side effects, including:

Low blood pressure and low heart rate. Your doctor should check your heart rate and blood pressure before starting treatment and regularly during treatment with Kapvay.
Sleepiness.
Withdrawal symptoms. Suddenly stopping Kapvay may cause withdrawal symptoms including: increased blood pressure, headache, increased heart rate, lightheadedness, tightness in your chest and nervousness.

The most common side effects of Kapvay include:

sleepiness
tiredness
upper respiratory tract infection, symptoms may include:
- cough
- runny nose
- sneezing
irritability
sore throat
trouble sleeping (insomnia)
nightmares
change in mood
constipation
stuffy nose
increased body temperature
dry mouth
ear pain

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that does not go away.

These are not all of the possible side effects of Kapvay. For more information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Kapvay Interactions

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Kapvay and certain other medicines may affect each other causing serious side effects. Sometimes the doses of other medicines may need to be changed while taking Kapvay.

Especially tell your doctor if you take:

anti-depression medicines
heart or blood pressure medicine
other medicines that contain clonidine
a medicine that makes you sleepy (sedation)

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a list of these medicines, if you are not sure if your medicine is listed above.

Kapvay Precautions

Do not take Kapvay if you are allergic to clonidine in Kapvay.

Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines that make you sleepy or dizzy while taking Kapvay until you talk with your doctor. Kapvay taken with alcohol or medicines that cause sleepiness or dizziness may make your sleepiness or dizziness worse.
Do not drive, operate heavy machinery or do other dangerous activities until you know how Kapvay will affect you.
Avoid becoming dehydrated or overheated.

Kapvay Food Interactions

Medicines can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Kapvay there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving Kapvay.

Inform MD

Before you take Kapvay, tell your doctor if you:

have kidney problems
have low or high blood pressure
have a history of passing out (syncope)
have heart problems, including history of heart attack
have had a stroke or have stroke symptoms
had a skin reaction (such as a rash) after taking clonidine in a transdermal form (skin patch)
have any other medical conditions
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Tell your doctor about all of the medicines that you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Kapvay and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Kapvay will harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Kapvay and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Kapvay can pass into your breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you take Kapvay.

Kapvay Usage

Take Kapvay exactly as your doctor tells you to take it.
Your doctor will tell you how many Kapvay tablets to take and when to take them. Your doctor may change your dose of Kapvay. Do not change your dose of Kapvay without talking to your doctor.
Do not stop taking Kapvay without talking to your doctor.
Kapvay can be taken with or without food
Kapvay should be taken 2 times a day (in the morning and at bedtime).
If you miss a dose of Kapvay, skip the missed dose. Just take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take two doses at the same time.
Take Kapvay tablets whole. Do not chew, crush or break Kapvay tablets. Tell your doctor if you cannot swallow Kapvay tablets whole. You may need a different medicine.
If you take too much Kapvay, call your Poison Control Center or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away.

Active Ingredient: clonidine hydrochloride
Inactive Ingredients: sodium lauryl sulfate, lactose monohydrate, hypromellose type 2208, partially pregelatinized starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate